Liverpool Chinese New Year plans revealed

Liverpool will mark the start of the Year of the Rabbit with a day of free celebrations this month.

The Chinese New Year events will take place from 11am to 5pm on Sunday, January 22 in and around the city’s Chinatown – the oldest in Europe – and will include traditional dragon, lion and unicorn parades, music, Tai Chi demonstrations, family workshops, firecracker displays and a fairground and stalls.

From January 9, thousands of Chinese lanterns will also appear on city streets from Chinatown to Liverpool ONE, and then from January 20-22 a range of buildings will be lit up in red including the Cunard Building, Liver Building, Town Hall, St George’s Hall and Sefton Park Palm House.

A number of new free cultural events, commissioned by Culture Liverpool, will also take place in the run up to the date and on the day itself.

They include a projection show, The Lunar Rabbit, on St Luke’s Bombed Out Church, created by Focal Studios in collaboration with artists Eleanora Asparuhova and Laura Sullivan and running from 5-9pm on January 20-22; Silk, interactive dance pop-ups in Berry Street, Bold Street and Great George Street – co-funded by Movema and Jockey Club England, and three 5ft tall Chinese rabbit lanterns created by Becky Bryson.

Meanwhile January 22 will see a fire finale from Liverpool’s Bring the Fire, involving Shaolin warriors performing fiery arts, dance pieces and a kinetic fire sculpture.

The celebrations have been organised by Culture Liverpool and the Liverpool Chinese Business Association.

Ming Wang, secretary of the Liverpool Chinese Business Association, says: “Our local Chinese community, Culture Liverpool and other organisations have worked tirelessly together to arrange a series of arts and cultural events for everyone to enjoy.

“It’s guaranteed fun-filled with plenty of activities for children and adults to enjoy. Please come and join the celebrations.”

Liverpool’s Chinese New Year celebrations take place on Sunday, January 22 from 11am to 5pm.