It still feels like 2024 until the Chinese New Year arrives. As the largest Chinatown in Europe is preparing for the celebrations to begin, more details have been announced about what to expect in Liverpool.
A date has already been unveiled for the Lunar New Year celebrations in Liverpool, to make the start of the year of the Wood Snake. Liverpudlians can expect a whole lot of festivities across the city, including the famous Chinese New Year parade in Liverpool’s Chinatown.
When is Chinese New Year 2025 taking place in Liverpool?
The Chinese New Year is on Wednesday, January 29 this year, with the festivities commencing from that day. However, the main event is happening on Sunday, February 2 between 11am and 5pm.
What is happening around the city?
Locals and visitors alike can admire various buildings around Liverpool lighting up red to mark the Lunar New Year, as well as red lanterns all around.
As usual, the parade is set to kick off at the Great George Square stage, with the annual dragon, unicorn and lion making an appearance. Plus, visitors can enjoy an abundance of live performances, as well as plenty of food stalls, art workshops, street theatre, storytelling and the funfair.
What is more, some family-friendly activities, workshops and craft stalls can be found at Liverpool’s Chinatown on Saturday, February 1. The events pose a quieter option to Sunday’s proceedings, without firecrackers and loud music performances, perfect for those wanting to avoid the larger crowds and noise.
Lunar New Year Parade
The Chinese New Year procession is taking place on February 2 at 11:15am, starting at Church Street, making its way through Liverpool ONE and finishing off at Albert Dock.
This year’s Dragon and Lion parade finishes at around 3.30pm, while the Unicorn parade starts at 12:15pm and finishes at around 4:00pm. Both parades will pass through Nelson Street, Duke Street, Berry Street and Bold Street in Liverpool.
Ming Wang, secretary general of Liverpool Chinese Business Association, said: “As we bid farewell to the Year of the Dragon, we welcome the Year of the Snake – a time which signifies good fortune, prosperity, fertility and longevity.
“As always, 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. This is a festival of sound, fun, colour and confetti with a packed, diverse programme of free events for children and adults to enjoy. Please come and join the celebrations.”
Road closures
21 streets around Liverpool’s Chinatown will be closed between 6am and 10pm, including Duke Street, Bold Street and Berry Street.
The full list of road closures during Lunar New Year
- Great George Street
- Duke Street
- Upper Duke Street
- Nelson Street
- Grenville Street
- South Sankey Street
- Griffiths Street
- Knight Street
- Bold Street
- Seel Street
- Berry Street
- Back Berry Street
- Bold Place
- Back Knight Street
- Cookson Street
- Pitt Street
- Upper Pitt Street
- York Street
- Raffles Street
- Roscoe Street
- Roscoe Lane
What is the significance of the Wood Snake?
In the Shengxiao, or Chinese zodiac the Wood Snake brings growth, wisdom, renewal, stability and creativity. The sign’s lucky numbers are two, eight and nine, while the year’s lucky colours are carmine red and emerald green (black and yellow could also be deemed lucky). Plus, the luckiest flowers and plants of the Wood Snake are orchids and cacti.
In 2025, the Dragon, Tiger, Snake, Horse, and Monkey are said to be the luckiest signs in the Chinese zodiac.