Liverpool Chinese New Year 2020 celebrations revealed

Liverpool is set to welcome the Chinese Year of the Rat this weekend.

But due to the city’s current budgetary constraints, it has been announced the annual weekend of festivities - which attract tens of thousands of people to Chinatown - will be reduced to one day for 2020.

General Chinese New Year celebrations kicked off earlier this month when a number of key Liverpool buildings were be illuminated red – an auspicious colour signifying good fortune, and hundreds of Chinese lanterns will start to adorn the streets.

Liverpool Town Hall, St George’s Hall, Cunard Building, Central Library, Toxteth Library, World Museum, Open Eye Gallery, Everyman & Playhouse Theatres and Mersey Tunnels George’s Dock Building are among the venues.

The main event takes place this Sunday, January 26, and organisers are promising traditional Chinese culture blended with modern performances in must-see street, stage and music acts, aerial demonstrations, family workshops and a fairground, along with the hugely popular dragon, unicorn and lion parades and firecracker displays.

The market will also make a return to George Street selling gifts, souvenirs and food.

Ming Wong, secretary of Liverpool Chinese Business Association, says: “We’ll celebrate the start of the Year of the Rat in great style as usual.

“There will be a vibrant busy atmosphere, food stalls, cultural events, family workshops, street entertainment and a fun fair. And of course, dragon and lion street parades, a spectacular firecracker display and look out for the lucky man who will be handing out red envelopes containing a surprise.”