The programme for Liverpool’s Chinese New Year celebrations has been revealed ahead of this weekend’s festivities.

Chinatown will be decorated with 1,000 Chinese lanterns as Liverpool welcomes the Year of the Monkey with one of the largest Asian communities in Europe.

The traditional lanterns will line Nelson Street amongst the biggest multi-span Chinese gates outside of China and will stay in place for around a week.

Assistant mayor and Liverpool City Council’s cabinet member for culture, tourism and events, Councillor Wendy Simon, says: “Chinese New Year is always a popular event in our calendar, and thousands head in to the city centre every year to see the colourful spectacle as our Chinese community put on a fantastic display of dancing dragons and fire crackers.

“It is a wonderful family-friendly event and it’s a way for us all to celebrate this city’s Chinese heritage and welcome in the Year of the Monkey.”

The Chinese New Year festivities will take place on Sunday [7 February] with a series of street performances, parades and the return of the popular Chinese market on Great George Street selling Asian gifts, souvenirs and eastern food.

The family-friendly event starts from 11am on Great George Square, with the following programme:

11 – 11.30am Pagoda Arts: Flower Drums and Fan Tai Chi

11.35 – 12.15pm Kwong Tam School of Tai Chi (in association with See Yep Association)

12.20 – 12.35pm Wah Sing Traditional Chinese Dance & Song

12.35 – 1pm Pagoda Arts Dance, Tai Chi, Happy Dance!

1 – 2pm Firecracker Display Lucky Man, Dragon, Lion and Unicorn Parade arrives

2 – 2.15pm Gung Har Kung Fu School Martial Arts Demonstration

2.20 – 2.30pm China Pearl Chinese Round Fan Dance

2.35 – 3.15pm Kwong Tam School of Tai Chi (in association with See Yep Association)

3.20 – 3.30pm Movema Dance San Jiao: the Chinese symbolism of trios blended with martial arts into contemporary dance

3.30 – 3.45pm Movema Dance – Chinese Dance Workshop; suitable for all ages and levels.
3.45 – 4pm Movema Dance – Chinese Fusion community performance

There will also be the chance to see musical performances from the Pagoda at their venue on Henry Street from 1.30pm and at FACT from 2.30pm.

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