Spectacular celebrations as Liverpool marks the Year of the Horse

Liverpool is set to welcome the Lunar New Year in style with a series of vibrant events and activities taking place across the city centre to mark the Year of the Horse.

The main Chinese New Year celebrations will be held on Sunday 22 February in and around Liverpool’s Chinatown – home to the oldest Chinese community in Europe – with Saturday 21 February also offering a smaller, quieter programme of events.

Activities will take place from 11am to 5pm on both days and festivities will feature family workshops, Tai Chi demonstrations, live music, street theatre, unique stage performances, a fairground, and food and craft stalls, plus firecracker displays and traditional dragon, lion, and unicorn parades on Sunday only.

Leading up to the main celebrations, the Liverpool Hung Gar Kung Fu Friendship Association, Pagoda Arts, and award-winning dance company Movema, will lead a procession through the city centre on Saturday 14 February, joined by members of the Chinese community to showcase traditional costumes and performances. Incorporating colourful Beijing opera-style costumes and stilt walkers from Artemis Productions, the procession will start at 1pm from Church Alley, onto Church Street, leading on to Paradise Street in Liverpool ONE before heading to the Royal Albert Dock.

Thousands of red lanterns will also adorn the streets around Chinatown, Liverpool ONE and Royal Albert Dock Liverpool from Saturday 14 February, and some of the city’s most iconic buildings – including Liverpool Town Hall and St George’s Hall – will be illuminated red in honour of the new year.

This year also sees the installation of two breathtaking lantern centrepieces – a majestic horse and a pair of formidable dragons have been specially commissioned by Culture Liverpool, Royal Albert Dock Liverpool, and Liverpool ONE for this year’s Chinese New Year celebrations.

Symbolising strength, prosperity and renewal, these illuminated giants have been created by The Pyro Studio and Event Design Company Ltd, the acclaimed team behind major Lunar lantern festivals across the UK. Each sculpture has been meticulously handcrafted in Zigong, China – the global capital of traditional lantern-making – by master artisans and engineers at SC Genial Tech. Blending centuries‑old craft with cutting‑edge innovation, the team has produced an unforgettable, immersive experience designed to captivate audiences of all ages.

Lunar New Year is celebrated by communities across East and Southeast Asia – this Chinese New Year programme has been developed with Liverpool’s Chinese community and forms part of the wider Lunar New Year celebrations.

The event is organised by Liverpool City Council’s Culture Liverpool team in partnership with the Liverpool Chinese Business Association, and the Merseyside Chinese Association Joint Action Group, with support from UK Shared Prosperity Fund, Royal Albert Dock Liverpool, and Liverpool ONE.

Members of the community who have Chinese New Year activity happening in and around the Liverpool City Region can submit their event to be listed on the Culture Liverpool website. More information on all events, including timings, can be found on the Culture Liverpool website and on Culture Liverpool’s social media channels.

Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Culture, Councillor Harry Doyle, said: “Our Chinese New Year festivities are always a highlight of our calendar, and we can’t wait to celebrate once again alongside our wonderful Chinese community.

“No city welcomes the Lunar New Year quite like Liverpool, and the city will once again come alive with colour, culture, and celebration as we enter the Year of the Horse.

“With free events, beautiful installations, quiet and accessible activities, and so much more – there really is something for everyone this year.”

Donna Howitt, Deputy Centre Director at Liverpool ONE, said: “We’re proud to work in partnership with Culture Liverpool and our city partners to bring the Year of the Horse to life as part of Liverpool’s Lunar New Year celebrations.

“With a striking Fire Horse sculpture, vibrant Chinese lanterns, and a specially themed Liverpool Sign takeover, Liverpool ONE will be proudly joining in the spirit of the city-wide festivities and celebrating the rich cultural heritage of Liverpool’s Asian communities.”

Royal Albert Dock Estate Manager, Sean Morrison, said: “We are proud to partner with Culture Liverpool to deliver such an ambitious calendar crossover for 2026. By aligning our hugely popular Fiesta of Fire celebrations with the city’s vibrant Chinese New Year festivities, we are creating a world-class cultural destination for February half-term. 

“From the incredible dragon installations to the immersive projections on the Maritime Museum, this programme is a testament to the city’s creative spirit and our commitment to ensuring Liverpool’s iconic dock remains a vibrant space for both residents and visitors to enjoy.”

Secretary General of the Liverpool Chinese Business Association and the Merseyside Chinese Association Joint Action Group, Ming Wang, said: “As we turn the page from the Year of the Snake, we gallop joyfully into the vibrant Year of the Horse – a year bursting with strength, freedom, and spirited adventure.

“Our local Chinese community, Culture Liverpool, and many partner organisations have once again come together with great heart and dedication to create a dazzling programme of arts and cultural events for all to enjoy.

“This festival shines with energy, excitement, and joy, offering a lively and diverse array of free activities for children and adults alike. We warmly welcome everyone to come and join the celebrations.”