Legendary Dragon Parade to return as Manchester celebrates Chinese New Year 2024

Manchester’s Dragon Parade is confirmed to return as the city is set to celebrate Chinese New Year this weekend.

It is the Year of the Dragon and Manchester will see its legendary Dragon Parade take to the streets with a brand new route to ring in the new year on the Chinese calendar.

Chinese New Year is the annual commemoration of the beginning of a new year on the traditional lunisolar Chinese calendar and is a spectacular festival of lanterns, performances and food.

Manchester’s iconic Dragon Parade will take place on Sunday, February 11th featuring a 175 ft Chinese Dragon, accompanied by traditional lion and ribbon dancers, Chinese Opera performers, twelve Zodiac animals and Ancient Army characters, as well as singers, violinists, choir performances and Chengdu acrobats.

In a new route for 2024, performances will begin at 12pm at the Oxford Street and George Street junction, before the parade makes its way to Chinatown via Portland Street, Princess Street and Faulkner Street, concluding in Chinatown.

In Chinatown, there will be a live performance stage, fun fair, Chinese arts and crafts workshops and a street food market from 12pm – 8pm, as well as an illuminated dragon finale at 6pm.

The legendary parade attracts thousands of visitors from near and far to the city each year as they come together and celebrate this traditional Chinese custom.

This year’s celebrations – organised by the Federation of Chinese Associations of Manchester (FCAM), in partnership with Manchester City Centre Business Improvement District (BID) and Manchester City Council – will also see the return of thousands of traditional red lanterns to brighten the city’s streets in the run-up to the event.

Lisa Yam, President of the Federation of Chinese Associations of Manchester said: “We’re thrilled to host our 33rd Chinese New Year celebrations in Manchester City Centre. 

“For the first time, we are hosting a two-day celebration in Chinatown, and we hope this will give even more people the opportunity to experience the atmosphere, and of course, sample the delicious street food that will be on offer at this special festival.”

The event is free to attend and families are welcome.

This year there will also be celebrations in Chinatown on Saturday, February 10th from 12pm – 10pm, featuring live music performances, workshops and markets, and an illuminated dragon appearance at nightfall.

The Dragon Parade will take place on Sunday, February 11th around the city centre, with performances and food and drink stalls from 12pm onwards in Chinatown.