Spectacular celebrations as Liverpool marks the Year of the Horse

Liverpool is preparing to celebrate the Lunar New Year with a vibrant lineup of events and activities across the city centre, marking the arrival of the Year of the Horse. The main festivities will take place on Sunday, 22 February, primarily around Liverpool’s Chinatown, which is known as the oldest Chinese community in Europe. A more subdued range of events will also be available on the preceding Saturday, 21 February.

On both days, from 11am to 5pm, attendees can enjoy an array of activities such as family workshops, Tai Chi demonstrations, live music, street theatre, and unique stage performances. Additionally, there will be a fairground and stalls featuring food and crafts. Notably, the traditional dragon, lion, and unicorn parades, along with firecracker displays, will be exclusive to Sunday’s celebrations.

Ahead of the weekend events, on Saturday, 14 February, a colourful procession is set to wind through the city centre. This procession will be led by the Liverpool Hung Gar Kung Fu Friendship Association, Pagoda Arts, and the award-winning dance company Movema, alongside members of the local Chinese community. The parade will showcase traditional costumes and performances, featuring Beijing opera-style dress and stilt walkers from Artemis Productions. The route will begin at Church Alley at 1pm, continue through Church Street and Paradise Street in Liverpool ONE, before concluding at the Royal Albert Dock.

To enhance the festive atmosphere, thousands of red lanterns will decorate the streets around Chinatown, Liverpool ONE, and the Royal Albert Dock from 14 February onwards. Iconic landmarks including Liverpool Town Hall and St George’s Hall will be bathed in red light in celebration of the new year. A highlight of this year’s celebrations is the installation of two large lantern centerpieces—a magnificent horse and a pair of dragons—commissioned by Culture Liverpool, Royal Albert Dock Liverpool, and Liverpool ONE. Created by The Pyro Studio and Event Design Company Ltd, these illuminated sculptures were handcrafted in Zigong, China, by master artisans combining traditional lantern-making craft with modern technology, promising an immersive experience for visitors.

The Lunar New Year is widely celebrated throughout East and Southeast Asia, and this programme in Liverpool has been developed with input from the city’s Chinese community as part of broader Lunar New Year festivities. The event is organised by Liverpool City Council’s Culture Liverpool team in collaboration with the Liverpool Chinese Business Association and the Merseyside Chinese Association Joint Action Group, with additional support from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, Royal Albert Dock Liverpool, and Liverpool ONE.

Councillor Harry Doyle, Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Culture, expressed his enthusiasm for the celebrations, saying, “Our Chinese New Year festivities are always a highlight of our calendar, and we can’t wait to celebrate once again alongside our wonderful Chinese community.” He added, “No city welcomes the Lunar New Year quite like Liverpool, and the city will once again come alive with colour, culture, and celebration as we enter the Year of the Horse.”

Representatives from key partners also shared their excitement. Donna Howitt, Deputy Centre Director at Liverpool ONE, noted, “With a striking Fire Horse sculpture, vibrant Chinese lanterns, and a specially themed Liverpool Sign takeover, Liverpool ONE will be proudly joining in the spirit of the city-wide festivities and celebrating the rich cultural heritage of Liverpool’s Asian communities.” Sean Morrison, Royal Albert Dock Estate Manager, highlighted the collaborative nature of the celebrations, stating, “By aligning our hugely popular Fiesta of Fire celebrations with the city’s vibrant Chinese New Year festivities, we are creating a world-class cultural destination for February half-term.”

Ming Wang, Secretary General of the Liverpool Chinese Business Association and the Merseyside Chinese Association Joint Action Group, welcomed the community to participate in the festivities, commenting, “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.” He went on to say, “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.”

Read the full article on Liverpool Express here: Read More