2019 is the Year of the Pig and over the next week Liverpool is hosting a number of events to celebrate Chinese New Year. Although the city always marks Chinese New Year in style, this year is the 20th anniversary of Liverpool’s twinning with Shanghai, so the events are set to be bigger than ever.
- Watch the lion dancing and street theatre, 8 and 9 February
Head down to the Chinese arch this weekend to take part in the city’s Chinese New Year celebrations. There will be lion dancing and street theatre in and around the arch, which will build up to a unique projection and pyrotechnic show at the arch, and on surrounding buildings.
Called The Quest for the Arch, the projections follow the journey of a little girl and a pig from Shanghai to Liverpool.
The show kicks off around 7pm and will end around 7.45pm.
Did you know that the Chinese arch in Liverpool’s China town was gifted by Shanghai twenty years ago as a symbol of the twinning relationship?
- Visit the city’s animal murals
Across the city, you’ll begin to see 12 large animal murals being painted onto walls and shop windows. The animals make up the Chinese zodiac and a new animal will appear every day between now and Sunday, 10 February. The first mural is a rat, which has been painted on the old Cabin Club’s window on Bold Street. Local artist, Cherie Grist, has been painting the art works. Follow Cherie on Instagram to see more of her fantastic creations @cheriegrist.
- Watch the China Peaks performance, 8 and 10 February
Taking place at two locations, China Peaks is a costume, music and dance performance based on traditional Chinese Opera and urban dance. The first performance takes place at 2pm on Friday, 8 February at the Playhouse. The second performance takes place at 4:30pm on Sunday, 10 February at the China Town stage.
- Attend the Firecracker Display, 10 February
A spectacular firecracker display will be taking place in Great George Square from 1pm. There will also be a special appearance from ‘Lucky Man’ who will be handing out red envelopes to children.
- Fairground, food and drummers, 10 February
A huge programme of performances will be taking place on Great George Square Street throughout Sunday, 10 February. As well as being able to watch our very own Guild’s 24 Festival Drums (performing at 2.45pm), you can also watch martial arts demonstrations, traditional Chinese dancers and take part in a calligraphy workshop. There’s also a fairground, a parade and you can enjoy the mouth-watering Chinese food at the Chinese market.
Look out for our red buildings
Alongside other Liverpool landmarks – like the Bombed Out Church and Sefton Park Palm House – our very own Mechanical Engineering building will be lighting up red to celebrate Chinese New Year.