Chinese New Year Celebrations in the UK

Here's How You Can Celebrate Chinese New Year in the UK

Feb 17 2018 by Elle Taylor

New Year celebrations aren't over just because January 1 has been and gone. February 16 heralds the Year of the Dog in the Chinese calendar, but you don't need to be in China to mark the New Year. There are plenty of places in the UK where you can celebrate the Chinese New Year, from Birmingham and Manchester to Liverpool, Newcastle, and London. Take a look at the details here, and discover the other ways you can join in the fun with your fashion choices or by swotting up on Chinese zodiac signs — which animal are you?

Image Source: Flickr user Paul

Liverpool

In Liverpool, the Year of the Dog will be celebrated from Friday 16 to Sunday 18 February, with projections illuminating the Chinese Arch, the Black-E, and The Arch. They tell the story of the mythical Jingwei bird in a 12-minute show that will run on a loop on Friday and Saturday night from 7.30 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. and on Sunday night from 6.30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

You can expect lanterns at Liverpool ONE, Exchange Flags, and the Bold Street thoroughfare, which will be illuminated with eight large lanterns plus red lasers shining from St Luke's Church's bell tower. There's also an Augmented Reality (AR) trail through key moments in Chinese cultural history in Liverpool.

On Sunday 18 February, the traditional celebrations will take place in Great George Square, including parades, market stalls, street performances, and family workshops.

Birmingham

In Birmingham, the Year of the Dog festivities will take place on Sunday 18 February from 11.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. in China Town, which includes Hurst Street and Arcardian. The Chinese Festival Committee (Birmingham) organises the event, which is one of the largest in the Midlands, and attracts 30,000 visitors throughout the day. Visitors can expect the Lion Dance, live music, stage shows, firecrackers, martial arts, street food, fairground rides, and children's workshops.

Image Source: Flickr user Tony Hisgett

Manchester

In Manchester, the Chinese New Year will be celebrated on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 February, with the Dragon Parade (with its 175-foot dragon), traditional lion dancing, thousands of red lanterns, martial arts, a funfair, food, and fireworks. Open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on both the Saturday and Sunday, the Chinese Street Food Market will be in St Ann's Square, which is also home to the giant Golden Dragon.

On Sunday 18 February, the Dragon Parade starts at Albert Square, with martial arts and dance displays from 12 p.m. midday. The parade then departs from outside Town Hall at 1 p.m. and arrives in Chinatown at 1.30 p.m., where firecrackers will be set off. From 2 p.m. until 5 p.m., the Lion and Unicorn visit Chinatown's businesses while visitors enjoy the funfair, acrobatics, dancing, music, and stalls. Fireworks bring it to a close at 6 p.m.

The event is coordinated by Manchester City Council, the Federation of Chinese Associations of Manchester, and Manchester's city centre retailers (Manchester BID). Follow along on social media to keep up to date.

Image Source: Flickr user Gidzy

Newcastle

In Newcastle, the Chinese New Year celebrations will be bigger than before, thanks to the Chinese Festivity Group successfully crowdfunding to raise £10,000. On Sunday 18 February, there will be a parade, floats, performances, and community programmes, including dragon, lion, and unicorn dances. The proposed parade route is from The Monument/Old Eldon Square to Chinatown's Stowell Street. Between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. on the Sunday, there will be lots of activities taking place on Stowell Street, including Chinese arts and crafts and special menus at restaurants that will be adorned with red decorations.

Image Source: Flickr user turloughmor

London

In London, you'll find the biggest Chinese New Year celebrations outside Asia. Hundreds of thousands of people will flock to the West End to join in the fun. The Chinese New Year parade starts at 10 a.m. with a dragon and lion dance in Charing Cross Road. The 30 teams and striking floats will then make their way to Chinatown. Chinatown of course is a focal point, with restaurants offering special menus, craft stalls, and lion dances.

Trafalgar Square hosts the main stage, with entertainment from 12 p.m. including traditional Chinese dance and music shows. There's also street food there and a pyrotechnic display to end festivities. Leicester Square hosts the family zone, with music, dress-up time, calligraphy, and more. Shaftesbury Avenue hosts the martial arts and culture zone, with a flag display and tai chi chuan performances. Charing Cross Road hosts the community zone, with performances by British-Chinese artists on the New Talent stage.