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.
Away from Chinatown, activities will also be taking place at Central Library throughout the weekend, with an afternoon of arts and crafts on Saturday from 1 – 4 pm and a Hanfu Show featuring traditional Chinese clothing.
On Sunday, the Library will be throwing open its doors for the day to help even more families celebrate the Year of the Snake, with a fun-filled programme of dance and music performances, arts and crafts, face-painting, and much more.
The day will begin with an unmissable Lion Dance outside the Library at 11 am before the Library opens its doors at 11:30 am for a day of activities which finish at 4 pm.
Cllr Pat Karney, City Centre spokesperson, Manchester City Council, said: “We know how much Mancunians love visiting Chinatown and joining in with all the fantastic celebrations to mark the start of the new lunar year.
“We want everyone to enjoy themselves but it will be busy so people should plan their visit accordingly. Use public transport, travel light, think about what time will be best for you to come in, and most of all be kind to each other as you navigate your way around the city centre which is sure to be much busier than usual.”
Important travel and traffic advice
Members of the public travelling into Manchester are advised to use public transport where possible.
More information and advice on travelling into Manchester this weekend is available on TFGM’s website here
A number of road closures will be in place over the weekend to allow the activities to take place.
Road closures
Chinatown
From 5am Saturday 1 February to 11.59pm Sunday 2 February:
- Nicholas Street (George Street to Faulkner Street)
- St James Street (Nicolas Street to Princess Street)
From 5am to 11.59pm Sunday 2 February:
- Faulkner Street (Princess Street to New York Street)
- Reyner Street (Princess Street to Charlotte Street)
- St James Street (Princess Street to Charlotte Street)
- Charlotte Street (Portland Street to Mosley Street)
- George Street (Princess Street to New York Street)
- Chain Street (George Street to Faulkner Street)
- Back George Street (Dickenson Street to Charlotte Street)
- Nicholas Street (Portland Street to Mosley Street)
- Pine Street (Chain Street to New York Street)
Parade route
From 10am to 3pm Sunday 2 February:
- Peter Street (Mount Street to Lower Mosley Street) soft closure at the junction of Peter Street / Deansgate. Access for residents and businesses only.
- Oxford Street (Peter Street to Whitworth Street West)
- Portland Street (Chepstow Street to Chorlton Street)
- Princess Street (Major Street to Cooper Street)
- George Street (Oxford Street to Princess Street)
- St James Street (Oxford Street to Princess Street)
- Back George Street (Dickinson Street to Princess Street)
- Faulkner Street (Princess Street to Novotel Hotel Entrance/ End of Faulkner Street)
- Dickinson Street (Back George Street to Portland Street and Portland Street to Linley House/end of Dickinson Street)
- Bale Street (Hall Street to Lower Mosley Street)
- Hall Street (Bale Street to Oxford Street)
- Soft Closure inbound at Whitworth Street/Princess Street, Whitworth Street/ Sackville Street, and Whitworth Street/Chorlton Street junctions. No through traffic. Access to residents, businesses, and buses only.
Parking suspensions
Chinatown
From 6pm on Friday 31 January to 11.59pm Sunday 2 February:
- George Street (New York Street to Dickinson Street)
- Nicholas Street (Portland Street to Mosley Street)
- Faulkner Street (New York Street to Princess Street)
- Charlotte Street (Portland Street to Mosley Street)
- Chinatown Car Park (all bays)
Accessible parking on Saturday can be found on Fountain Street (Booth Street to York Street)
Parade route
From 8pm Saturday 1 February to 4pm Sunday 2 February:
- Peter Street (Mount Street to Lower Mosley Street)
- Mount Street (Windmill Street to Peter Street)
- Oxford Street (Lower Mosley Street to Whitworth Street West)
- Hall Street (Oxford Street to Bale Street)
- George Street (Oxford Street to Dickinson Street)
- St James Street (Oxford Street to Charlotte Street)
- Chepstow Street (Oxford Road to Great Bridgewater Street)
- Portland Street (Chepstow Street to New York Street)
- Dickinson Street (Back George Street to Portland Street, and Portland Street to Linley House/end of Dickinson Street)
- Princess Street (Cooper Street to Major Street)
Accessible parking on Sunday can be found on Fountain Street (Booth Street to York Street) or Mount Street (Windmill Street to Albert Square).All bays, loadings bays, accessible parking bays, and taxi ranks, will be suspended.
Metrolink
Sunday 2 February
Between 12 noon and 1pm there will be congestion around St Peter’s Square due to an increased number of pedestrians. Passengers are advised to expect delays.
Chester Road roadworks
There are significant road works taking place in the Chester Road roundabout area. Road travel into the city centre will be very busy, please use public transport if you can.
Road closure information is also available here
More information about Chinese New Year and Lunar New Year celebrations in Manchester here
