Here’s how Manchester is celebrating Chinese New Year

The Chinese New Year is nearly upon us, and Manchester has a whole week of celebrations planned to mark the occasion.

Chinese New Year – also known as the Lunar New Year or the Spring Festival – will fall on Tuesday February 1st this year, starting the year of the Tiger.

According to the Chinese zodiac, people born in a year of the Tiger are predicted to be brave, competitive, unpredictable, and confident. However, they will also experience their zodiac birth sign year, benmingnian, in 2022, which is considered bad luck. 

Chinese New Year Manchester

But let’s not worry about that because Manchester has a ton of exciting events and activities lined up to welcome in the Year of the Tiger.

While the annual parade won’t be going ahead due to Covid restrictions, there will be the grand unveiling of a huge tiger art sculpture at St Ann’s Square on February 1st.

Commissioned by Manchester BID, the installation will take on the form of a traditional tiger from wood and recycled corrugated plastic.

While the tiger is a symbol of power, bravery and force in Chinese culture, the origami-esque sculpture will give the illusion of being weak and easily broken when, in fact, it will remain strong and tall for the city to see.

Chinese New Year Manchester

The tiger’s inner structure will also match the stripes and markings of a real-life tiger, which will cast stunning shadows at night with the help from surrounding lights.

And, on February 6th, Manchester’s Chinatown will come to life to celebrate the Lunar New Year with a whole host of family-friendly activities including lion dancing, Chinese dancers, street food stalls and Chinese arts and crafts events.

Thousands of traditional red lanterns will gradually adorn Chinatown and the rest of the city’s streets from today, too. 

The Chinese New Year will be celebrated from February 1st – February 6th. Make sure to follow Manchester’s Chinese New Year celebrations Instagram page for news and updates.