Chinese New Year 2014 - some listings

2014 marks the Year of the Horse and Liverpool’s Chinese New Year celebrations will take place across the weekend of February 1 and 2.

Activities will start off at 11am on Saturday (1 February) with lantern making workshops at FACT for all the family, and the creative results go on display in a special installation at St Luke’s Church (participants will be able to take lanterns home after the exhibition). 

At 3pm, there will be a rare chance to see Europe’s largest Chinese orchestra, the Pagoda Chinese Youth Orchestra, rehearse as part of a special open day. 

Lark Lane Community Association (located at the old police station on Lark Lane) will see dance, music and Tai-Chi performances taking place from midday, and The Garden at FACT will host a traditional Chinese tea experience from 10.30am to 6.30pm.  

The celebrations will be in full-swing on Sunday (2 February) from 11am with the family friendly fun fair and the popular Chinese market on Great George Street selling gifts, souvenirs and mouth-watering food.  At 11.30am the dragon, unicorn and lion parades will get underway in Chinatown, culminating at 1pm in a spectacular fire cracker display in Great George Square starring the ‘Lucky Man’ who will be handing out red envelopes to children.  

Liverpool City Council’s Assistant Mayor and Cabinet Member for Culture and Tourism, Councillor Wendy Simon, said: “Liverpool excels when it comes to celebrating Chinese New Year.  Each year thousands of visitors are always overwhelmed by the spectacle they are greeted with as the city celebrates its Chinese roots and community. 

“It’s wonderful to see so many organisations work together to put on this memorable event, which grows in popularity year on year. 

“There’s a whole host of events taking place across the weekend and beyond offering lots of family friendly activities which are either free, or cost very little – so it’s a great way for everyone to get involved in marking this special event.”