Legendary Dragon Parade returns to Manchester to celebrate Chinese New Year

Headlining this year’s celebration will be the popular parade which attracts thousands of visitors, taking place this Sunday, January 22nd.

Weaving its way through the city’s streets, the 175ft Chinese dragon will be accompanied by traditional lion and ribbon dancers, Chinese Opera performers, twelve Zodiac animals and Ancient Army characters.

In a new route for 2023, the dragon will perform outside Manchester Central at 12pm before making its journey via Mount Street – Peter Street – Oxford Street – Portland Street – Princess Street and Faulkner Street to Chinatown.

And the Festivities don’t stop there. In Chinatown there will be a live performance stage, fun fair, Chinese arts and crafts and street food stalls from 12pm – 7pm with two glittering illuminated night dragon performances at 5pm & 6pm.

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

There will also be a week long residency of traditional street food stalls in the city’s Piccadilly Gardens from Saturday 21 – Sunday 29 January and a final performance from the illuminated night dragon to close this year’s festivities at 5pm on Sunday 29 January in Piccadilly Gardens.

Lisa Yam, President of the Federation of Chinese Associations of Manchester (FCAM) said: “I’m very happy this year as we will welcome the return of the Dragon Parade. It has been two years since we have been able to wake up the dragon to bless the city. The Year of the Rabbit is sure to be a great year for us all.”

Jane Sharrocks, Manchester Business Improvement District Chair and General Manager of Selfridges Exchange Square said:

“This is the eighth consecutive year we’ve partnered with the Federation of Chinese Associations of Manchester on the city’s Chinese New Year celebrations – some of the best and brightest in Europe!

“We’ve adorned the city with thousands of traditional red lanterns once again for 2023 to help welcome in the Year of the Rabbit and we’re delighted see the return of the Dragon Parade which is always a real crowd pleaser and highlight of the celebrations.”

Other venues celebrating the lunar new year in the city include Manchester Central Library which is hosting a Chinese New Year Celebration for families from 12-4pm on Sunday 22 January with free crafts, Chinese performances, workshops and face painting and Ducie Street Warehouse where visitors can celebrate Chinese New Year creatively with a Chinese Brush Painting workshop on the 22nd from 2 – 4.30pm (booking required, aged 16+).

Dragon Parade Performance and Parade Times
12pm-12.30pm: Performances, Outside Manchester Central
12.30pm-1.15pm: Dragon Parade, Manchester Central to Chinatown
1.15pm: Dragon Parade, Arrives at Chinatown
1.15pm-1.45pm: Performances, Faulkner Street Car Park, Chinatown