FROM Thursday February 19 to Sunday the 22nd Manchester hosts the largest Chinese New Year celebration yet to welcome in the 'Year of the Ram'. With thousands of red lanterns decorating the city's shopping streets plus street food, music, art, fireworks and the Dragon Parade.
Head to St Ann’s Square at 7pm on the opening Thursday for an exclusive premiere of the New Year Light Show. See the façade of St. Ann’s Church brought to spectacular life with a mix of 3D light projections, art and film. The show featuring the Hong Kong Pulse 3D Light Show and work by artists Cai Guo-Qiang, Sun Xun and Stanley Chowis is on until Saturday February 21.
The work of Cai Guo-Quiang is also being exhibited at the newly-reopened Whitworth Art Gallery.
Throughout the celebrations a red, richly draped marquee in St. Ann’s Square provides the backdrop to some of the city’s best Chinese food and drink stalls including Yang Sing, I am Pho, Pearl City and Rice Bowl.
At midday on Sunday February 22 Albert Square will come alive with martial arts and dance displays followed by the Dragon’s appearance at 12.30pm. From 1pm follow the magnificent Dragon Parade, complete with a 175ft long dragon through the city’s streets to Chinatown where you’ll find a Chinese market, food, a funfair, family workshops and live performances – culminating in the spectacular fireworks finale at 6pm.
The Yang Sing restaurant on Princess Street is holding a lunch on Sunday, February 22. Tickets are available only in advance and are £38pp, children under 12 are £20 and for tiny tots under 2 its free of charge. For that, 5-course banquet aside, you can enjoy performances from Master Chu’s lion dance troupe and folk dances from the ladies of Yi Hong.
The ram is supposed to be a loving, harmonious and peaceful creature; so fingers crossed for a wonderful weekend – and year ahead.
For full details of all the Chinese New Year festivities and events visit this link.