Liverpool Chinese New Year celebrations mark Shanghai link anniversary

Liverpool’s 2019 Chinese New Year celebrations will mark the 20th anniversary of the city’s twinning with Shanghai.

Thousands of Chinese lanterns will be hung in city centre streets from January 28, and a number of buildings including the Bombed Out Church, Central Library, Liverpool Town Hall, the Everyman, Playhouse and Unity theatres, the Royal Albert Dock and Sefton Park Palm House will turn red in homage to China.

Meanwhile the official three-day celebration of the Year of the Pig takes place from February 8-10.

Festivities will centre around the Chinese Arch – at 45ft the tallest in Europe – which was created and installed by Shanghai craftsmen in 1999.

The events kick off at 7pm on February 8 – repeated on February 9 - when there will be lion dancing and Chinese influenced street theatre which will build up to a unique projection and pyrotechnic show at the arch, and on surrounding buildings.

The projection, titled The Quest for the Arch, is created by Illuminos and follows the journey of a little girl and a pig from Shanghai to Liverpool.

As in previous years, the soundtrack will provided by musician and composer Jah Wobble and will feature a live element to the performance. It will end at around 7.45pm.

The Chinese arch street entertainment, lumiere and pyrotechnic show will also take place on the main Chinese New Year celebration day, Sunday 10 February, from 6pm.

Traditional celebrations include street and stage performances, family workshops, a fairground, parades, firecracker displays and a Chinese market on George Street selling gifts, souvenirs and Chinese food.

Family friendly activities will take place in and around Great George Square and Nelson Street from 11.30am.

The event is organised by Liverpool City Council and is supported by Liverpool Chinese Business Association, the Liverpool BID Company, Liverpool ONE and Royal Liver Building 360.