Manchester is expected to be even busier than usual this weekend (Feb 1 & 2) as the city comes together to welcome in the Year of the Snake, with a weekend full of activities including the annual Chinese New Year Dragon Parade which takes place on Sunday.
Already a sea of colour with trees decked out in traditional red lanterns in celebration of the Lunar New Year, visitors heading into the city centre this weekend are promised a dazzling display of traditional and contemporary Chinese culture.
The weekend’s activities – organised by the Federation of Chinese Associations of Manchester (FCAM) – will see Manchester’s Chinatown transformed into a festive wonderland with lanterns, music, food, and family-friendly activities.
Anyone planning to come into Manchester and enjoy the activities is advised to use public transport and to travel as light as possible with no big bags, and to consider using back packs or other carriers for babies and toddlers as an alternative to pushchairs.
Visitors should note that the busiest part of the weekend is likely to be from 12 noon to 2 pm on Sunday when the Dragon Parade takes place.
People coming in to see the parade should be aware that access into Chinatown may be restricted during this time in order to manage the number of people in the area, and they may be advised to enjoy the parade from elsewhere along the route instead.
Chinatown visitors throughout the weekend will be able to enjoy a host of activities across the two days from 12 noon – 8 pm, including sampling a variety of delicious Chinese delicacies and authentic street food from local vendors.
Mesmerising traditional dance and music performances will also be taking place on both Saturday and Sunday on the main stage in the Chinatown carpark.
Other highlights include performances from the Guizhou Acrobatic Troupe at 2:45 pm and 3:45 pm on Sunday, and a DJ playing Cantonese and Mandarin pop songs from 8 pm – 10 pm on Saturday.
FCAM’s famous Night Dragon will also be making appearances in the Chinatown carpark on Saturday at 6:30 pm and 7:30 pm, whilst Sunday will see the spectacular annual Dragon Parade take place, featuring a stunning traditional dragon, acrobatic performances, dancers and drummers.
Starting from the junction of Oxford Street and George Street at 12 noon on Sunday, the Dragon Parade will make its way along Portland Street, into Chinatown, with a final performance on Princess Street.
This year’s festivities will culminate on Sunday evening with the record-breaking Illuminated Dragon which will take to the streets of Chinatown from 6:30 pm, featuring members of the public recruited earlier in the day by organisers to help take part in dancing the dragon.
