Lunar New Year 2026 In Liverpool: A Guide to The Best Events and Celebrations
The Year of the Horse celebrations are coming to Liverpool this February, marking the Lunar New Year from Tuesday 17 February. While the Lunar New Year officially begins on the 17th, the main city parade takes place on 21 February, alongside a packed programme of Lunar New Year events, cultural celebrations and family-friendly activities across Liverpool.
This guide brings together the best Lunar New Year events in Liverpool, showcasing festivals, performances, parades and community celebrations happening throughout February.
Lunar New Year Parades and Other Activities
Pre-Parade Celebration (Bluecoat to Albert Dock)
Date: Saturday 14 February
Time: 1pm–4pm
Location: Bluecoat – Royal Albert Dock
A vibrant community parade featuring dance, kung fu, cultural groups and creative organisations including Movema, Pagoda Arts, Hung Gar Kung Fu Friendship Association, Wah Sing Chinese Community Centre and more.
Main Lunar New Year Celebrations (Chinatown)
Saturday 21 February
Time: 12-4pm
Location: Great George Square
- Traditional & fusion Chinese music
- Chinese dance performances
- Youth orchestras
- Martial arts rehearsals
- Circus workshops (12pm–2pm) – juggling, hula hooping, plate spinning & family activities with Bring the Fire Project
Sunday 22 February
Time: 11:30am–5pm
Location: Great George Square
- Tai Chi demonstrations
- Firecracker display
- Dragon, Unicorn & Lucky Man parades
- Traditional Chinese dance & music
- Community choirs
- Martial arts demos
- Fire finale by Bring the Fire Project
For full details of the timings for all events visit cultureliverpool.co.uk/cny-whats-on.
Chinese Painting onto Paper Lanterns – Floating Art Workshop
Date: 14 February
Time: 1pm – 3:30pm
Location: Duke Street Food & Drink Market
Price: £30 per person
Floating Art are bringing a workshop that teaches you how to create a Chinese lantern of your very own. Using materials such as bamboo, sumi ink and mineral paints. If you are excited at the idea of being able to create and paint your own Chinese lantern, then this workshop has plenty to offer to you even if you have no previous experience in painting.
Lion Dance Workshop: Lunar New Year
Date: 17 February
Time: 11am, 1pm and 2pm
Location: Museum of Liverpool
Price: £3.50 per child and children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
The Museum of Liverpool have teamed up with China Spirit UK in order to celebrate the year of the horse with a workshop that outlines the history and traditions of the Chinese lion as well as practical workshops on lion dancing and puppeteering for children. There are 3 sessions that take place during the day, each lasting 45 minutes. These sessions are suitable for children aged 6 and above.
Lunar New Year at the Lady Lever Art Gallery
Date: 28 February
Time: 10:15am – 4pm
Location: Lady Lever Art Gallery
The Lady Lever Art Gallery is holding an event to showcase many different pieces of the gallery’s Chinese art collection and Wirral’s Chinese community. There are many different events happening throughout the day there at the gallery from a horse search, dragon mask creation workshops and traditional dance displays.
Arts and Crafts Workshops (Family Zone)
Date: 21 & 22 February
Time: 11am – 5pm
Location: Nelson Street
A collection of outdoors art workshops are being held in Chinatown that are great for families to drop in and create pieces of art based on the year of the horse.
