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Kung Hei Fat Choy can be heard across Liverpool come February 5, 2019. This year, Chinese New Year in Liverpool is set to be more colourful and more dramatic than ever before. And you won’t want to miss a moment of the action.
This year, Liverpool’s vibrant Chinese community are to mark the celebration in uniquely colourful fashion as thousands of Chinese lanterns are set to adorn some of our stunning streets and luxurious landmarks. Furthermore, this year’s celebrations mark the twentieth anniversary of Liverpool’s twinning with Shanghai.
The landmark celebrations are to take place in Great George Square on Sunday 10 February with numerous performances, workshops, parades and, of course, the popular Chinese markets.
So, whether you’re looking for a Chinese dragon to parade past you on Bold Street or a delicious meal you won’t forget, we’ve put together some of the best ways to celebrate Chinese New Year in Liverpool.
Table of Contents
Chinese New Year in Liverpool 2019
Earlier this month, elation and excitement began to mount as Liverpool was bathed in crimson colours and blush lanterns. The stunning spectacle has seen a host of areas, including Sefton Park Palm House, the Panoramic Lounge and both the Everyman and Playhouse Theatres, adorned by amazing decorations.
These same landmarks have also been turned red in honour of Chinese New Year in Liverpool. So, if you’re out and about this month, keep your camera close as this superb spectacle is not to be missed.
Pyrotechnic and Projection Extravaganza
Happening across the entire weekend, Chinese New Year is to combine Liverpool’s cultural background with a contemporary variation, rounding up the always popular projections – which, this year, recount the story of Jigwei and her travels to the West – and concluding with a spectacular pyrotechnic display.
The show is to take place at the Chinese arch in Chinatown – which boasts 200 hand carved dragons of which 188 are ‘ordinary’ and 12 are pregnant, the meaning of which is to symbolise good fortune between Liverpool and Shanghai – and on surrounding landmarks.
This year’s projection is entitled “The Quest for the Arch,” and the soundtrack is composed by musician Jah Wobble.
The sensational lumiere extravaganza is guaranteed to make your Chinese New Year in Liverpool truly memorable and undoubtedly wonderful.
The Captivating Story Behind Jingwei’s Legacy
This year’s Chinese New Year lumiere continues from last year’s enchanting tale of transformation, adventure and reward. This spectacular show takes audience members on an exodus with Jingwei to experience the arrival and development of Liverpool’s Chinese Community and more across the country.
The lustrous production is to centre once again on the mythical creature. But this time, spectators can accompany Jingwei as she makes her way from her remote home in China to Shanghai and onto Liverpool. She climbs monstrous mountains and crosses raucous rivers before reaching Liverpool.
“The Quest for the Arch” concludes, of course, with song, dance and parades. Perfect for any Chinese New Year in Liverpool.
It is also worth noting the talents of Lynne Harwood and The Chinese Youth Orchestra, who without them this spectacular spectacle wouldn’t be possible.
The Amazing Chinese Markets
The Chinese markets are now a New Year institution. Wooden markets decorated in Chinese themes this year include George Street and The Bombed-Out Church. From the superb decorations of the markets and delicious Chinese food to sensational handmade ornaments, this gourmet sensation is not to be missed.
Aromas of soy, pepper, vinegar and cinnamon permeate the celebratory atmosphere as marketers from across the continent cook-up an array of Chinese treats. The amazing aromas are sure to draw you in, so make sure you leave enough room to sample absolutely everything.
On Sunday 10 February, you can also browse some of the souvenirs on show. Decorative dragons, traditional zodiac masks and Chinese artwork from Shanghai are just some of the amazing keepsakes on show at the markets.
And that’s not everything.
You can also learn the ancient pastime of Origami, that’s if you have the patience. And, while everyone is leisurely creasing and crumbling paper and devouring Chinese cuisine, a dragon parade has been known to come bounding through.
The mouth-watering markets are sure to have you wanting more and more food this Chinese New Year in Liverpool.
Chinese New Year Dragon Parade
Date: Friday 8 and 9 February 2019
Time: 7pm – 7:45pm
It wouldn’t be Chinese New Year in Liverpool without a dragon; nor would it be a celebration without that dragon dancing and prancing through the streets.
The Dragon Parade – which is marching through Bold Street and Newington Street this year – is believed to bring good luck, therefore, the longer the dragon the more luck it is said to bring.
The Dragon Parade is not only a once in a lifetime experience, but it’s also the ideal way to start the year of the pig.
The Year of the Pig
The year of the pig is based on the Chinese Zodiac cycle. Those whose birthdays land under this animal tend to be energetic and enthusiastic. They are also thought to be very clever animals.
Men born in the year 1935, 47, 59, 71, 83, 95, 2007 and 2019 tend to be optimistic and gentle. They are also focused and love to learn; however, they are naive.
Women born in the corresponding years tend to be extremely sociable and generous. They also have good fortune and wealth, ideal for those who can’t wait until payday; however, they are sometimes overbearing.
Chinese Community in Liverpool
Liverpool’s vibrant Chinese community dates back to the 1800s. Many Chinese seamen came to Liverpool to work. Sometime in the future, Chinese seamen began to put down roots in areas close to the docks, Frederick Street and Cleveland Square. From the 1890s, a sense of community and brotherhood blossomed. Chinese people began opening their own businesses while marriages between local women and Asian men started to become much more common.
Liverpool Chinatown was the inaugural town in Europe, providing Liverpool with a colourful fusion of Chinese cuisine, grocery stores and supermarkets that continue to flourish. There are around 10,000 Chinese residents living in Liverpool, including the overseas students from China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and more parts of Southeast Asia.
Unfortunately, during the Second World War, the area formerly known as ‘Chinatown’ was destroyed. This caused many Chinese communities to move closer to Nelson Street, Great George Street, Duke Street and Upper Parliament Street, which explains why the location of today’s ‘Chinatown’ is further away from the docks.
So, we hope you have enjoyed our guide to Chinese New Year in Liverpool 2019. We hope you have an amazing weekend enjoying the celebrations. Make sure you share your pictures with us on our .
