The first couple of months of the year can appear quite dull and without celebration but never fear, we are here to help you find reasons to celebrate. One of the most important celebrations being Chinese New Year. We’ve discovered plenty of family friendly Chinese New Year events happening across the North West in 2026.
We have compiled the latest news on how to enjoy the Chinese New Year events in the North West and will keep updating this list as more events are arranged.
When is Chinese New Year 2026?
This year Chinese New Year will be celebrated on Tuesday 17th February 2026. Most places will have celebrations spanning throughout the week, especially as this will be half term week for many North West kids, but many North West locations are celebrating Chinese New Year over the weekend of February 21st and 22nd 2026.
The date of the Chinese New Year changes each year due to the Chinese Lunar Calendar and the new moon.
What year is it this year?
2026 is the Year of the Horse. (2024 was the Year of the Dragon, 2025 was the Year of the Wood Snake). The Year of the Horse will continue until 5th February 2027, when it will be The Year of the Goat (or the Ram or the Sheep).
The Horse is all about energy, imagination, courage and adventure. This year is all about movement and determination. People born in the Year of the Horse are said to be Adventurous, Energetic, Animated, Unique and Independent. Previous Years of the Horse were 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014.
Why Goat or Ram or Sheep for 2027? The animal comes from the zodiac sign that represents the Caprinae family of animals. These include goats and sheep.
Chinese New Year Celebrations Liverpool
Liverpool Chinatown
Saturday 21st February 2026 & Sunday 22nd February 2026 11am – 5pm.
This will be main event for Chinese New Year in Liverpool. Traditional dragon parades, firecracker displays, family workshops, Tai Chi demonstrations, live music, a fairground and food and craft stalls – many of which are free activities, visit Chinatown , where you will find Europe’s oldest Chinese community.You will have the opportunity to try plenty of Chinese food at the many food stalls that will be on the City Centre streets.
Lord Nelson Street, L1 5EW.
Duke Street Food & Drink Market
Chinese Painting onto Paper Lanterns Workshop.
Saturday 14th February 1pm.
Tickets £30.
Maisie Chan celebrates Chinese New Year at Waterstones Liverpool
Saturday 21st February 2pm.
FREE event – Story telling and lantern making with author, Maisie Chan. Maisie will talk about her latest book Nate Yu’s Blast From the Past which includes Liverpool’s Chinatown.
Museum of Liverpool
Tuesday 17th February 2026 11am, 1 and 2pm – Sessions last 45mins.
Learn the history and tradition of the Chinese lion while children find out how to work the life size puppets in pairs, learn the rhythm of the traditional lion dance drum and the special lion dance steps to bring the lions to life!
Tickets: £3.50 per child. Age 6+.
Pier Head, Liverpool, United Kingdom, L3 1DG
Welshot Photography Workshop – Pret A Manger, Paradise Street Liverpool
Saturday 21 February 2026 9.30am – 5pm.
Combine the art of street photography with the lively celebrations of the Chinese New Year.
Learn the Dance of the Dragon with Liverpool Hung Gar Kung Fu Club
FREE dance training for Adults and 16+.
Find out more at Liverpool Hung Gar Kung Fu Club on Facebook.
Chinese Painting Lanterns Workshop at Duke Street Market
Saturday 14th February 1pm.
Craft your own Chinese Paper lantern for the Lunar New Year. Learn how to paint using Chinese Paint and bamboo brushes. Beginners welcome.
Tickets: £30. Age: 16+.
Bombed Out Church
Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd February 10am – 4pm
FREE entry. Family-friendly celebrations including a unique horse installation made from recycled materials. Children’s crafts from £1. Community dance performances and refreshments available.
Where to eat in Liverpool for Chinese New Year?
Chung Ku Restaurant Liverpool
Still TBC – Normal menu but includes often include free martial arts and/or Dragon display by Liverpool City Hung Gar Martial Art School over Chinese New Year.
Book by calling 0151 726 8191 (after 12.30pm-9pm)
SEE ALSO: Maggie Fu’s – Asian Street Food over 2 locations – Liverpool One and Smithdown Road, Liverpool. Pre-booking not necessary.
How to get to Liverpool?
By train: Services from all major cities and North West towns to Liverpool Lime Street Station.
By car: Nearest parking to China Town – Parr Street Car Park – Open 24 hours (///shock.bind.boots). Parking also available at Liverpool One which is within walking distance of China Town.
Chinese New Year in Manchester
Manchester Lunar New Year Fair
Venue: Market Street, Exchange Square and New Cathedral Street.
The Manchester Lunar New Year Fair takes place on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 February 2026.
Featuring more than 120 stalls full of food and Chinese/Asian culture, this family friendly Fair will be one of the biggest Lunar New Year markets Manchester has ever hosted.
Chinatown Manchester
Saturday 1st & Sunday 2nd February 2025
Celebrate Chinese New Year in Chinatown Manchester (M1 4FH) (with live performances, food stalls, a funfair, Manchester’s famous red lanterns).
Follow the famous 175ft dragon through the city’s streets as it makes it way to Chinatown, accompanied by a parade featuring a selection of activities such as traditional Lion and Ribbon dances, Chinese Opera performers, 12 Zodiac animals and ancient army characters.
Manchester Dragon Parade Sunday 15th February only: The full parade route and programme of live performances to be announced shortly.
Manchester Museum
Wednesday 18th February 2026, 4.00pm-9pm.
Wide range of cultural elements, including a series of exciting performances. Highlights include a traditional lion dance and a special collaboration with the Hong Kong Plucked String Chinese Orchestra, who have travelled all the way from Hong Kong to perform.
There will be hands-on workshops in traditional arts and crafts, and much more. A key highlight this year is the participation of two masters from China, who will present the delicate artistry of Chinese Intangible Cultural Heritage: Su embroidery and woodblock New Year prints.
Manchester Museum, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL.
Where to eat in Manchester for Chinese New Year?
Sweet Mandarin in the heart of China Town, Manchester. Family owned restaurant with its own cookery school. Open early evenings. Vegan options available.
How to get to Manchester?
By train: Train services from all major UK cities into Manchester Piccadilly station, also via Manchester Oxford Road, Manchester Victoria.
By tram: Metrolink Park & Ride available until 1am.
Celebrating Chinese New Year in Cheshire
Sale
Saturday 14th February 2026 10am – 4pm
Stanley Square, Sale
Dragon dance (12pm) & a brand-new feature: a Youth Entrepreneurship business project – Lunar New Year Stall plus the Lunar New Year Lucky Draw! Fortune telling, Lunar New Year products and face-painting.
Visit the Collaborative Hong Kong Women’s Facebook page for more information.
Macclesfield
Saturday 14th February 2026 11.30-15.00
Market Place, Macclesfield, SK10 1EB
FREE The annual Dragon Parade will be taking place at 11.30am from Market Place (SK10 1EB), making its way to the United Reform Church on Park Green for a celebration of Chinese food, art, music and culture – running until 3pm.
Chinese New Year Extravaganza Show – Stockport
Wed 18 February 2026, 2:30pm
The Stockport Plaza, The Mersey Square
Jinlong is back with the “Chinese New Year Extravaganza”, an unforgettable show filled with vibrant colours, awe-inspiring performances, and endless fun!
Family friendly show featuring Lion Dance, Dragon Dance, Chinese acrobatics, Pandas and more!
Tickets: Adult£25.85, Child£23.65, Senior Citizen£23.65, Other concessions £23.65.
Rainbow 88, Stockport
Sunday 15th & 22nd February 2026
Hulme Shopping Centre, Unit 2-3, Station Rd, Cheadle Hulme, Cheadle SK8 5AF
Fundraising events at this Asian Restaurant where children can learn about Chinese traditions, try our delicious lucky food (dietary requirements can be catered for with no cross contamination), see the Lucky Lion Dance and get under the Unicorn.
Donations Adults £13, Children £10 – Proceeds go to The Christie and Stockport Autisk.
Visit Rainbow88 on Facebook for exact timings and availability.
Where to eat in Stockport for Chinese New Year?
Jasmine House, Welling Rd, Stockport – Eat in and takeaway available (20% for takeaway).
How to get to Stockport?
Parking (Locations noted by What3Words): Merseyway Shopping Centre Car Park (///moving.raced.rate) is really central and open until the early hours. We have also parked behind Stockport Grand Central Leisure Centre several times (///complains.crown.palms).
Park and Ride available in Hazel Grove, Macclesfield Road SK7 6BF, stopping in Stockport. Available from 6am until midnight. Free with a valid bus ticket.
By train: Stockport Grand Central Station is very central to Stockport Town Centre.
Lancashire
Lancaster Town Centre Chinese New Year Display
Lancaster is famous for its Chinese New Year celebrations, which take place all month. This is the 5th year Lancaster will celebrate Chinese New Year in style. 600 red lanterns and banners hang in New Street, Penny Street and Market Street for the entire month.
Lancaster Grand Theatre
Saturday 31st January 2026 7.30pm (Doors open 7pm) – Lancaster Grand Theatre, LA1 1NL
Chinese New Year Culture Variety Show – This mesmerizing showcase offers a deep dive into China’s rich artistic heritage, perfect for those seeking an in-depth understanding of the culture for its 5th year. Witness the brilliance of performers, including national-level talents from around the country, as they bring to life the tapestry of Chinese traditions through music, dance, theatre, Kunshan Opera, Chinese Youth Orchestra and Shaolin Kungfu Masters Performance.
Tickets: Adults £12.00 Children U16 £6.00 – Suitable for all the family. Tickets available soon.
Outdoor Carnival – Lancaster
Sunday 8th February 2026 – 10am-6pm
Lancaster, 1-27 Market St, Lancaster LA1 1AL, UK
- FREE family-friendly carnival and market taking place in and around Lancaster Market Square.
- The official festival opening ceremony is at 12 noon on the Market Square plinth, followed by a colourful, lively Dragon and Lions street parade.
- Workshops for calligraphy, Chinese traditional opera face mask painting. Visitors welcome to wear traditional costumes.
- Chinese dance, instrumental music, singing and a Kungfu demonstration and drumming by Lancaster-based Batala.
Where to eat in Lancaster for Chinese New Year?
Golden Jade Chinese Restaurant, King St, Lancaster. Small but perfectly formed – Eat in or takeaway available.
How to get to Lancaster
By train: Lancaster Train Station is 11 minutes walk to Lancaster Grand Theatre and super close to Lancaster Town Centre.
By car: parking is available at Upper St Leonard’s Gate Car Park, handy for both the theatre and Town Centre. Charges £5.50 for 5 hours.
Year of the Horse traditions
Keeping lucky at Chinese New Year – Chinese customs are very much focussed on getting the best start to the Year and avoiding bad luck.
No cleaning
No cleaning whatsover is to be done during traditional Chinese new year celebrations (although plenty of cleaning is done beforehand) – This includes no wiping, sweeping, washing the dishes or even your hair as you would be seen to be washing away all your good luck for the year ahead.
Lots of Red
You will see red everywhere during Chinese New Year. Red is considered a colour to bring happiness, success, and good fortune – Whether it be in clothes, symbolic chinese lanterns or home decorations.
Red Envelopes
It is common to give people red envelopes in honour of this age-old tradition. These envelopes contain money and symbolise good wishes for the year ahead (Its not the money that is important, it is the actual envelope).
Red Lanterns
You will also see a lot of red lanterns at Chinese New Year. In addition to the good luck associated with the colour red, the lanterns themselves signify letting go of the past year and welcoming in the new year with good fortune.
How do I wish someone Happy New Year in Chinese?
“Gong hei fat choy” is the most common way of wishing someone a Happy Chinese New Year. This translates into ‘Wishing you great happiness and prosperity”.
The same greeting in Mandarin is “gong xi fa cai” (pronounced gong she fa tsai).
Happy New Year in Cantonese is “Sun nien fai lok”.
Know of a Chinese New Year event we haven’t listed? Let us know in the comments or send us a message to include it in our guide!
A fantastic guide! There really is so much going on and I didn’t realise Chinese New Year celebrations went on that long – so if you can’t make a celebration on the day, there is still time! Because there looks like a lot of fantastic restaurants to visit and experiences going on… perfect! 🙂
There is so much going on this year to celebrate Chinese New Year, especially in Liverpool! Hoping we can nip down for the Dragon parade, will be awesome to see! Sim x