Liverpool and the city region is preparing to celebrate Lunar New Year in spectacular fashion, with a packed programme of colourful events and cultural activities taking place across the city centre to mark the Year of the Horse.
The main Chinese New Year celebrations will take place on Sunday 22 February, centred in and around Liverpool’s Chinatown, which is home to the oldest Chinese community in Europe. A smaller, quieter programme of events will also run on Saturday 21 February, giving visitors two days of festivities to enjoy.
Bluecoat Family Day: Lunar New Year Celebration (20 February)
Bluecoat’s popular Family Day returns to celebrate Lunar New Year with a fun-filled afternoon of dance, movement and creative activities for all ages.
Families can take part in an interactive Dance & Movement Workshop led by Pei Yee Tong alongside artists from Movema, inspired by the Year of the Horse. The sessions explore movement and rhythm through playful, accessible activities designed for children and adults to enjoy together.
Workshop session times: 1-1.45pm & 3-3.45pm
Suitable for all ages. Children must be supervised at all times.
Free – booking required
Alongside the workshops, visitors can drop into the Gallery between 1–4pm for free Lunar New Year creative activities, offering a relaxed, hands-on way to celebrate the festival as a family.
Liverpool Chinatown Lunar New Year Celebrations (21 & 22 February)
Saturday 21 February
Time: 12pm – 4pm
Location: Great George Square
Programme highlights include: Traditional and fusion Chinese music, Chinese dance performances, Youth orchestras, Martial arts rehearsals and Circus workshops (12pm–2pm): juggling, hula hooping, plate spinning and family activities with Bring the Fire Project.
Sunday 22 February
Time: 11:30am – 5pm
Location: Great George Square
Programme highlights include: Tai Chi demonstrations, Firecracker display, Dragon, Unicorn and Lucky Man parades, Traditional Chinese dance and music, Community choirs, Martial arts demonstrations and a Fire finale by Bring the Fire Project.
For full event timings and programme details, visit the Culture Liverpool listings page. Please note, all times are subject to change.
Arts and Crafts Workshops (Family Zone)
Dates: 21 & 22 February
Time: 11am – 5pm
Location: Nelson Street, Chinatown
A series of outdoor drop-in arts and crafts workshops designed for families, inspired by the Year of the Horse. Children and adults can take part in creative activities and make their own themed artworks as part of the Chinatown celebrations.
Lion Dance Workshop: Lunar New Year, Museum of Liverpool (17 February)
The Museum of Liverpool has partnered with China Spirit UK to celebrate the Year of the Horse with interactive lion dance workshops. Children will learn about the history and traditions of the Chinese lion, alongside practical sessions in lion dancing and puppeteering. There are three 45-minute sessions throughout the day (11am, 1pm and 2pm), suitable for children aged 6 and above.
Lunar New Year at the Lady Lever Art Gallery (28 February)
A full-day celebration exploring the gallery’s Chinese art collection and the Wirral’s Chinese community. Activities across the day include a horse-themed gallery search, dragon mask-making workshops and traditional dance performances.
This guide will be updated as more events are announced, so check back for additional details and visit our What’s On event listings to discover more events happening across the city region.