The Lunar New Year festivities, which includes a legendary dragon parade, are returning to Manchester. Taking place throughout Chinatown and across the city, Mancs will be able to bring in the Year of the Snake in style – with plenty of events and activities to take part in.
As always, this year’s celebrations – which have been organised by the Federation of Chinese Associations of Manchester (FCAM), in partnership with Manchester Business Improvement District (BID) and Manchester City Council – will also see the return of Manchester’s famous traditional red lanterns all around town.
What Lunar New Year celebrations are taking place in Manchester?
Chinese New Year, also known as Spring Festival, begins on January 29 however a number of Lunar New Year celebrations in Chinatown will take place on February 1 and 2, which are free to attend, where Mancs can potter around the city and enjoy the thousands of red lanterns that are dotted in the trees. On February 2, you can witness the legendary Dragon Parade, watch live performances, visit stalls and be entertained at the funfair. Culminating the Lunar New Year events in Manchester on a high, visitors will find a live performance stage, Chinese arts and crafts workshops and a street food market from 10am – 8pm.
There will also be a night dragon parade in the Chinatown car park at 6.30pm and 7.30pm on the Saturday (January 1), whilst an illuminated dragon will feature through the streets of Chinatown as part of the celebration’s conclusion from 6.30pm on February 2.
When and where will the Dragon Parade take place?
Back for another year, a traditional Dragon Parade will take place on Sunday 2 February and will depart from 12pm. The famous 175ft dragon will make its way through the city’s streets towards Chinatown, accompanied by a parade featuring traditional Lion and Ribbon dances, Chinese Opera performers, twelve Zodiac animals and Ancient Army characters, as well as singers, violinists, choir performances and Chengdu acrobats.
The parade will begin at 12pm with the route starting at the Oxford Street and George Street junction, before the parade made its way to Chinatown via Portland Street, Princess Street and Faulkner Street, concluding in Chinatown. Between 12pm and 1pm there will be congestion around St Peter’s Square Metrolink stop due to an increased number of pedestrians so passengers are advised to expect delays.
Dragon Parade Performance and Parade Times
12pm – 12.30pm: Performances, Oxford Street
12.30pm- 1pm: Dragon Parade, Oxford Street to Chinatown
1pm: Dragon Parade, Arrives in Chinatown
1.10pm – 1.40pm: Performances, Faulkner Street Car Park, Chinatown
1.40pm: Dragon Leaves Chinatown
Road closures in Manchester
Chinatown
From 5am Saturday 1 February to 11.59pm Sunday 2 February:
- Nicholas Street (George Street to Faulkner Street)
- St James Street (Nicolas Street to Princess Street)
From 5am to 11.59pm Sunday 2 February:
- Faulkner Street (Princess Street to New York Street)
- Reyner Street (Princess Street to Charlotte Street)
- St James Street (Princess Street to Charlotte Street)
- Charlotte Street (Portland Street to Mosley Street)
- George Street (Princess Street to New York Street)
- Chain Street (George Street to Faulkner Street)
- Back George Street (Dickenson Street to Charlotte Street)
- Nicholas Street (Portland Street to Mosley Street)
- Pine Street (Chain Street to New York Street)
Parade route
From 10am to 3pm Sunday 2 February:
- Peter Street (Mount Street to Lower Mosley Street) soft closure at the junction of Peter Street / Deansgate. Access for residents and businesses only.
- Oxford Street (Peter Street to Whitworth Street West)
- Portland Street (Chepstow Street to Chorlton Street)
- Princess Street (Major Street to Cooper Street)
- George Street (Oxford Street to Princess Street)
- St James Street (Oxford Street to Princess Street)
- Back George Street (Dickinson Street to Princess Street)
- Faulkner Street (Princess Street to Novotel Hotel Entrance/ End of Faulkner Street)
- Dickinson Street (Back George Street to Portland Street and Portland Street to Linley House/end of Dickinson Street)
- Bale Street (Hall Street to Lower Mosley Street)
- Hall Street (Bale Street to Oxford Street)
- Soft Closure inbound at Whitworth Street/Princess Street, Whitworth Street/ Sackville Street, and Whitworth Street/Chorlton Street junctions. No through traffic. Access to residents, businesses, and buses only.
What other Lunar New Year celebrations are taking place in Manchester?
Tampopo
Tampopo is bringing in the Year of the Snake with an exciting celebration of flavours and fortune. Highlights include a special Lunar New Year menu featuring the likes of Singapore Chilli Soft-Shell Crab, Szechuan Squid, Prawn Dim Sum, Duck Pancakes and Hoisin Spring Rolls, to name a few, as well as a thrilling Fortune Sticks Challenge for Tampopo Club members. Offering a unique take on the traditional Fortune Sticks, a symbol of good luck in many Far East Asian cultures, diners will be given a bucket of Fortune Sticks and asked to shake it for good luck and draw a random stick. Tampopo Club Members will receive a unique link to participate and if you draw a gold-labelled stick your entire party’s meal will be free, with other sticks offering a free dish of your choice from a selection on your next visit.
Ducie Street Warehouse
Ducie Street Warehouse is joining forces with the team at Floating Art to celebrate Lunar New Year by hosting a lantern making workshop. Taking place on January 29, the workshop is priced at £30 per person which includes all materials such as bamboo brushes, sumi ink and mineral paints in order to practice Chinese brush painting.
Hello Oriental
Another tradition during Lunar New Year is the gift of a red envelope. To mark the Year of the Snake, customers visiting Hello Oriental at either Circle Square or the Trafford Centre from 29th January 2025 will have the chance to win exciting prizes hidden inside traditional red envelopes, a cherished symbol of Lunar New Year. Each of the Hello Oriental red envelopes are packed with exclusive surprises, from discounts and complimentary dishes to special drinks and treats, bringing good fortune and joy to all who participate.
Families and friends are also invited to immerse themselves in the celebratory atmosphere at Hello Oriental Circle Square, complete with balloon animal creations for children, a breathtaking dragon dance performance, and the unmistakable sights and sounds of Lunar New Year celebrations.
Kargo MKT
You can also celebrate Lunar New Year with fun for all of the family at Kargo MKT. For the first 50 customers through the door on Saturday 1st February, a fortune gift bag will be on offer filled with mysterious gifts. There is an action-packed day planned including a children’s Bao making workshop from 11am to 12pm and a spectacular Lion Dance performance running from 1.30pm to 2pm.
Visitors can also take part in a huge Red Packet Hunt to win a cash voucher worth £68 to spend at Kargo MKT. Why 68you ask? The number holds positive connotations in Chinese culture because of its phonetic association with good fortune and wealth. The number 6 (liù, 六) sounds like the word for “smooth” (liú, 流), symbolizing smooth progress or success. The number 8 (bā, 八) sounds like the word for “prosperity” or “wealth” (fā, 发).
Plus, keep an eye out on the Kargo MKT social channels for a range of exclusive Chinese New Year deals and discounts across the food traders running from Wednesday 29th January to Wednesday the 12th February.
Lunar New Year Market
Hong Kong Cultural Community and co-organisers will be bringing back the Lunar New Year Market to Manchester for 2025. Featuring more than 110 diverse vendors, the market is set to double in scale, offering a mix of cultural festivities, mouthwatering cuisine, and vibrant performances.
The event will take place on February 1 and 2, 2025 at Market Street, Exchange Square and New Cathedral Street. Visitors can expect live music performances such as Cantonese New Year songs, Hong Kong Cantopop, and English pop covers, performed with piano, guitar, and cello. There will also be magic acts inspired by Chinese traditions, Cantonese opera, dance performances featuring K-pop, hip-hop, and children’s dance groups, as well as belly dancing and the soothing melodies of the traditional Chinese guzheng instrument.
Portico Library
On February 6, the Portico Library will host a traditional Lion Dance by Master Tang to celebrate Year of the Snake. Watch the Dance of the Red Lion come to life with musical accompaniments and see in the Lunar New Year in style! The performance is on from 5pm until 6pm and is free of charge for visitors to enjoy, however there is limited space in the library.