It still feels like 2025 until the Chinese New Year comes in. As the oldest Chinatown in Europe is preparing for the festivities to commence, and more details have been unveiled about the annual parade.
A date has already been unveiled for the Lunar New Year celebrations in Liverpool, to mark the start of the year of the Fire Horse. Locals and visitors alike can expect a whole lot of festivities around the city, including the famous Lunar New Year parade in Liverpool’s Chinatown.
When will the main Lunar New Year celebrations take place in Liverpool?
The main celebration for the Lunar New Year in Liverpool will take place on February 22, with an additional, smaller set of events scheduled for February 21, between 11am and 5pm on both days. Guests can expect family workshops, Tai Chi demonstrations, street theatre, unique stage performances, a fairground, live music and plenty of food and craft stalls. What is more, there will be firecracker displays and traditional dragon, lion, and unicorn parades on the Sunday.
When will the Lunar New Year parade in Liverpool take place?
The Lunar New Year parade will take place on February 14, starting at 1pm.
The Lunar New Year parade
Liverpool Hung Gar Kung Fu Friendship Association, Pagoda Arts, as well as dance company Movema, is set to lead the massive Lunar New Year parade this year. Starting from 1pm on Church Street, stilt walkers and Beijing opera-style costumes from Artemis Productions will adorn Liverpool’s streets, going through Paradise Street in Liverpool ONE, as well as the Royal Albert Dock.
There are also Dragon installations at the Royal Albert Dock, located on either side of Salthouse Bridge, new for this year.
What is more, the city will light up in a myriad of red lanterns around Chinatown, Royal Albert Dock and Liverpool ONE, and our landmarks like St George’s Hall and Liverpool Town Hall will be lit up in red.
Secretary General of the Liverpool Chinese Business Association and the Merseyside Chinese Association Joint Action Group, Ming Wang, said: “As we turn the page from the Year of the Snake, we gallop joyfully into the vibrant Year of the Horse – a year bursting with strength, freedom, and spirited adventure.
“Our local Chinese community, Culture Liverpool, and many partner organisations have once again come together with great heart and dedication to create a dazzling programme of arts and cultural events for all to enjoy.
“This festival shines with energy, excitement, and joy, offering a lively and diverse array of free activities for children and adults alike. We warmly welcome everyone to come and join the celebrations.”
Full schedule for Saturday, February 21
The festivities will take place in and around Chinatown and Great George Square.
- 12pm: Tian Qiyi – traditional music / Chinese fusion music rehearsal
- 12.30pm: Liverpool Confucius Institute / Li Ke (李珂)- traditional Chinese dance. The Ode to Spring (春颂). The dance embodies people’s earnest longing for the season of renewal
- 12.45pm: Hong Kong Plucked String Orchestra
- 1.15pm: Pagoda Youth Orchestra and Guzheng solo
- 1.45pm: South of the South of the Colourful Clouds (彩云之南). A Dai ethnic minority dance – an exquisite branch of Chinese folk dance. It celebrates the breath-taking landscapes of Yunnan Province in southwest China. Liverpool Confucius Institute / Li Ke (李珂)- Traditional Chinese Dance
- 2.20pm: Tian Qiyi – traditional music / Chinese fusion music rehearsal
- 3pm: Bring the Fire Project Dress Rehearsals
Full schedule for Sunday, February 22
- 11.30am: New Year Tai Chi Demonstration 2026
- 12.15pm: Pagoda Arts – Tai Chi and dance
- 1pm: Firecracker display, Lucky man, dragon and unicorn parades
- 1.40pm: Liverpool Hung Gar Kung Fu Friendship Association – martial arts demonstration
- 1.50pm: Traditional Chinese song and dance.
- 2.10pm: North East Wales Chinese Women’s Association – traditional Chinese dance – Family Forever
- 2.20pm: Liverpool Bluebird Children’s Choir
- 2.30pm: Friendship Dancers – traditional Chinese dance
- 2.35pm: Wirral Chinese Cultural Association – classical Chinese dance
- 2.45pm: Liverpool Chinese Gospel Church Choir
- 3pm: UK Phoenix Chinese Cultural and Artistic Association – traditional dance – Good Luck Homeland
- 3.05pm: Friendship Dancers – traditional Chinese dance
- 3.15pm: Tian Qiyi – Chinese fusion music
- 3.40pm: Liverpool Confucius Institute / Li Ke (李珂)- traditional Chinese dance. The Ode to Spring (春颂). The dance embodies people’s earnest longing for the season of renewal
- 3.45pm: Movema Dance – Community in Flow
- 3.55pm: Liverpool Confucius Institute / Li Ke (李珂)- Traditional Chinese Dance. South of the South of the Colorful Clouds (彩云之南). A Dai ethnic minority dance – an exquisite branch of Chinese folk dance. It celebrates the breath-taking landscapes of Yunnan Province in southwest China
- 4.05pm: Tian Qiyi – Chinese fusion music
- 4:30pm: Bring the Fire Project – fire finale
As always, visitors are encouraged to check online for any changes.
Liverpool Chinese New Year 2026 road closures
The following roads will be closed from 6:00am – 10:00pm on Sunday, February 22:
- 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 more, Grenville Street South is set to be closed, between Hardy Street and Nelson Street, as well as Upper Pitt Street, between the evening of Thursday, February 19 and 4pm on Monday, February 23.
Culture Liverpool said: “Due to the closure of Berry Street access to businesses on Hanover Street will be severely restricted from Seel Street. It is recommended that any deliveries are made before 10am on the day.”