After returning for a proper IRL celebration after two years post-pandemic in 2022, the Lunar New Year festivities will be back in Manchester this month once again. Taking place throughout Chinatown and across the city, Mancs will be able to bring in the Year of the Rabbit in style – with plenty of events and activities to take part in.
The celebrations are free to attend and will kick off from 12pm on January 21, where Mancs can potter around the city and enjoy the thousands of red lanterns that are dotted in the trees. On January 22, you can witness the legendary Dragon Parade, watch live performances, visit stalls and be entertained at the funfair. Plus, an annual campaign artwork, based on the Chinese Zodiac, will be created by international artist and proud Mancunian Stanley Chow.
Visitors will find a Chinese market popping up in Piccadilly Gardens every day throughout the celebrations until 7pm on January 29. Culminating the Lunar New Year events in Manchester on a high on Sunday 22 January, you’ll find live performances, workshops, food, stalls and a funfair taking over Chinatown, with traditional lion dances, Chinese acrobatics, singing, poem reading and Kungfu.
Back after three years, a traditional Dragon Parade will also take place on Sunday 22 January and will depart from Manchester Central Convention Complex at 12pm. The dragon parade will make its way to China Town via Mount Street, Peter Street, Oxford Street, Portland Street, Princess Street and Faulkner Street.
Lisa Yam, President of the Federation of Chinese Associations of Manchester (FCAM) said: “I’m very happy this year as we will welcome the return of the Dragon Parade. It has been two years since we have been able to wake up the dragon to bless the city. The Year of the Rabbit is sure to be a great year for us all.”
Follow the famous 175ft dragon through the city’s streets as it makes it way from Piccadilly to Chinatown, accompanied by a parade featuring traditional Lion and Ribbon dances, Chinese Opera performers, 12 Zodiac animals and Ancient Army characters. Plus, adding to all the magic there will be an illuminated Night Dragon which will perform at 5pm and 6pm on Sunday 22 January, and also a final performance at 6pm on Sunday 29 January at Piccadilly Gardens.
What other Lunar New Year celebrations are taking place this year?
Other venues celebrating the Lunar New Year in the city include Manchester Central Library which is hosting a Lunar New Year Celebration for families from 12-4pm on Sunday 22 January with free crafts, Chinese performances, workshops and face painting. Or head to Manchester Art Gallery between the hours of 11am and 3.30pm where you can pick up a sketch book and pencil from the Lion’s Den (Gallery 1) and explore the gallery on their bunny themed trail. There will aslo be artists making rabbit themed crafts and cake decorating with Chinese calligraphy.
Presenting four-day long festivities to ring in the Lunar New Year, Ducie Street Warehouse will curate special dishes at the restaurant and showcase a range of entertainment in the lounge. The Chinese New Year menu at the restaurant will be available from Friday 20th until Sunday 22nd January only. The menu highlights include Cantonese style spring roll with peanut and chilli dipping sauce; Vegan “crab” Rangoon with ginger and garlic dipping sauce; and Sticky char sui pork belly bao with chilly and sesame.
Over at the lounge, on Thursday 19th January, the popular Drink N Draw will return with a Chinese New Year edition. Hosted by Pete Obsolete in partnership with Overdrawn, Drink N Draw will invite guests to sip and stroke with Chinese-inspired materials and techniques. Drawing materials and guidance on the night will be free of charge.
On Friday 20th January, the warehouse will host a traditional Lion Dance to celebrate Year of the Rabbit. The performance is on from 7.30pm until 8pm and is free of charge for visitors to enjoy. Concluding the Lunar New Year celebration on Sunday 22nd January, Manchester’s collective Floating Art will be hosting a Chinese Bamboo Brush Painting workshop from 2pm until 4.30pm. The workshop will introduce the delicate art form, as well as show some basic brushwork and painting techniques (the workshop costs £25.39 per person and booking is required.
Join Tattu in Manchester for Lunar New Year on Saturday 21st January with limited edition specials and celebratory cocktails, featuring unmissable entertainment from traditional Lion dancers and their resident world class DJs. For a more lively and energetic experience, head to the restaurant for our free-flowing Lantern Festival brunch party on Saturday 4th February from 12pm to 4pm – a vibrant fine dining event with immersive projections and lion dancers coupled with sounds of Tattu from resident DJs. Tattu’s Lunar New Year specials will run from Saturday the 21st January to Sunday 5th February exclusively.
At The Ivy Asia, Spinningfields, guests will be able to enjoy an array of delicious Year of the Rabbit themed cocktail menu in collaboration with Ki No Bi Gin, as well as an exclusive Golden Rabbit dessert featuring soft-serve ice-cream and smooth chocolate mousse with the tantalising texture of honeycomb.