The Lunar New Year festivities, which include the annual (and legendary) dragon parade, are making a return to Manchester this February. Taking place throughout Chinatown and Manchester city centre, visitors and locals alike will be able to bring in the Year of the Horse in style – with plenty of events and activities to take part in.
Several celebrations will take place in Manchester across the weekend of Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th February, such as a Lunar New Year fair, Floating Art workshops and Asian food night market, to name a few. However, the dragon parade is one of the most highly anticipated events in Manchester.
When and where will the Dragon Parade take place?
Back for another year, a traditional Dragon Parade will take place on Sunday 15th February and will take place from 10am to 3pm. The famous 175ft dragon will make its way through the city’s streets towards Chinatown, accompanied by a parade featuring live drumming, dancers and acrobatic performances.
The parade has previously followed a route which starts at the Oxford Street and George Street junction, before making its way to Chinatown via Portland Street, Princess Street and Faulkner Street, concluding in Chinatown.
Road closures for Manchester Dragon Parade
Chinatown
From 5am, 14 February to 11.59pm 15 February:
- Nicholas Street (Portland Street to George Street)
- St James Street (Princess Street to Nicholas Street)
- Faulkner Street (Princess Street to Charlotte Street)
From 5am to 11.59pm, 15 February:
- Reyner 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)
- Pine Street (Chain Street to New York Street)
Parade route
From 10am to 3pm, 15 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.
- Reverse of the one way at Major Street (Princess Street to Sackville Street)
Parking suspensions in place for the Dragon Parade
All parking suspensions include all pay and display bays, accessible parking bays and taxi ranks.
Chinatown car park
From 0.01am, Saturday 14 February to 3am, Monday 16 February
- China Town Car Park (All Bays)
Chinatown
From 0.01am, 13 February to 11.59pm, 15 February
- George Street (New York Street to Dickinson Street)
- Nicholas Street (Portland Street to Mosley Street)
- Faulkner Street (New York Street to Princess Street)
- Charlotte Street (Portland Street to Mosley Street)
- Chain Street (George Street to Faulkner Street)
- Pine Street (Chain Street to New York Street)
Parade route
From 8pm, 14 February to 4pm, 15 February
- Peter Street (Mount Street to Lower Mosley Street)
- Mount Street (Windmill Street to Peter Street)
- Oxford Street (Lower Mosley Street to Whitworth Street West)
- Hall Street (Oxford Street to Bale Street)
- George Street (Oxford Street to Charlotte Street)
- Back George Street (Dickinson to Princess Street)
- St James Street (Oxford Street to Charlotte Street)
- Chepstow Street (Oxford Street to Great Bridgewater Street)
- Portland Street (Chepstow Street to New York Street)
- Dickinson Street (Back George Street to Portland Street and Portland Street to Linley House/end of Dickinson Street)
- Princess Street (Major Street to Cooper Street)
- Sackville Street (Major Street to Portland Street)
- Abingdon Street (Major Street to Portland Street)
- Faulkner Street (Mercure Hotel to Princess Street)
- Bale Street (Hall Street to Lower Mosley Street)
Accessible bay relocations for Dragon Parade
On Saturday, 14 February
Accessible parking to be relocated to Fountain Street (Booth Street to York Street)
On Sunday, 15 February
Accessible parking to be relocated to Fountain Street (Booth Street to York Street) and Mount Street (Windmill Street to Albert Square)
Public transport
Metrolink
February 15
Between 12 noon and 1pm there will be congestion around St Peter’s Square due to an increased number of pedestrians. Passengers are advised to expect delays.