PIG out for four days at one of Europe’s biggest Chinese New Year celebrations. This year’s citywide event (Feb 7-10) is filled with fortune, fireworks, free family-friendly fun and, of course, food.
In honour of the Year of the Pig, giant art installation Piglet (above) will take centre stage in s St Ann’s Square from Thursday, February 7 until Sunday, February 10. Created by artist Alex Rinsler (previous works include giant foxes in Shanghai and London and the world's largest squirrel in Almaty, Kazakhstan), the giant piglet will don a handsome coat made from thousands of pennies for good luck.
Visitors will be invited to contribute their own pennies to piggy banks around the sculpture, with proceeds going to homelessness fund Big Change MCR and the Wai Yin Society, one of the largest BME community centres in the UK.
Celebrations in Albert Square will be bigger than ever and extend across three days from Friday to Sunday for the first time. Visitors can try their hand at Chinese arts and crafts, sample traditional Chinese cuisine from food and drink stalls, enjoy the funfair and meet an eight-metre high inflatable Chinese Money God.
Not to be missed is Manchester’s legendary Dragon Parade on Sunday 10th. Catch the blessing of the dazzling 175ft dragon at 12pm in Albert Square before it weaves its way through the city’s streets from Manchester Town Hall to Chinatown, where revellers can enjoy lion dancing, unicorn performances, Chinese dancers, traditional street food stalls and a spectacular Fireworks Finale at 6pm.
Thousands of stunning red lanterns will once again adorn the city’s streets. Major buildings including Manchester Town Hall, Selfridges and Harvey Nichols will be lit up red and Manchester’s 50ft giant glittering Golden Dragon will make a welcome return to the city’s Exchange Square, ready for snaps and selfies. Both stores are hosting a variety of events and offers linked to the New Year celebrations.
Throughout the weekend, visitors can sample authentic cuisine at the Chinese Food Market in St Ann’s Square (11am-7pm) from the likes of Dim Sum SU, Jade Rabbit, Wallace & Sons and Kowloon Café.
Elsewhere enjoy lion dancers (on Market Street outside Boots, Sat Feb 9, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm) Chinese Opera and lion dancers, take part in traditional craft workshops and tai chi workshops at a variety of venues including Manchester Arndale, Manchester Art Gallery and the Centre for Chinese Contemporary Art, Market Buildings, Thomas Street, alongside VIP shopping events at city centre stores. For full details go to Visit Manchester.
Lisa Yam, President of the Federation of Chinese Associations of Manchester (FCAM) told us: “We have extended the celebration this year to include an extra two days’ worth of events in Albert Square on Friday 8th and Saturday 9th. We will have food stalls and live performances throughout these days in addition to our usual main celebration.
“I hope that everyone will be able to join us to welcome the Year of the Pig in style hopefully wearing their nice new red clothes for good luck and I would like to wish everyone good health and the best of luck and prosperity in the coming Year of the Pig!”
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