Manchester's legendary Dragon Parade will return to the city's streets to celebrate Chinese New Year for 2023 - for the first time in full for three years. Last year a smaller scale event took place in Chinatown - but for 2023 the parade with Dragon dancers will head back out through the city centre.
It will come amid a week of events to celebrate the Chinese New Year, which this year falls on Sunday, January 22. It will welcome in the Year of the Rabbit.
We can expect to see the return of the bright red lanterns across the city centre's busiest shopping streets as well as family-friendly events in the lead up and in the week after.
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On the Sunday itself, the Dragon Parade will start from 12noon. In years gone by the focal point for the event was on Albert Square, but it is currently unavailable due to the extensive renovations of the Town Hall.
So instead the parade, featuring a 175 ft long dragon, will depart on a new route from Manchester Central Convention Centre from 12noon before snaking its way through the city centre. The parade will also feature traditional Lion and Ribbon dances, Chinese Opera performers, 12 Zodiac animals and Ancient Army characters.
A number of road closures will be in place as the dragon and dancers head to Chinatown via Mount Street, Peter Street, Oxford Street, Portland Street, Princess Street and Faulkner Street.
Throughout the Sunday in Chinatown there will be staged performances of acrobatics, singing, poetry readings, dancing and kung fu from 12 noon to 7pm. There will also be food stalls, lion dances, workshops and a fun fair.
The annual event, organised by the Federation of Chinese Associations of Manchester, will get underway from Saturday January 21 with a Chinese Market which will then open every day until Sunday January 29.
There will also be performances from the spectacular illuminated "Night Dragon" in Chinatown at 5pm and 6pm on Sunday 22 January, and also at 6pm on Sunday 29 January.
Full list of road closures on Sunday January 22
11am – 3pm
- Windmill Street (Lower Mosley Street – Watson Street)
- Mount Street (Windmill Street – Alberts Square)
- Peter Street (Watson to Oxford Street)
- Oxford Street (Peter Street to Chepstow Street)
- Oxford Road (Oxford Street to Whitworth Street)
- Portland Street (Chepstow Street to Chorlton Street)
- Princess Street (Portland Street to Cooper Street). Timings subject to change.
China Town road closures 6am – 10pm
- Faulkner Street (Princess Street to New York Street)
- Reyner Street (Princess Street to Charlotte Street)
- St James’ Street (Princess Street to Charlotte Street)
- Charlotte Street (Portland Street to Mosley Street)
- George Street (Dickenson Street to New York Street)
- Chain Street (George Street to Faulkner Street)
- Back George Street (Dickenson Street to Charlotte Street)
- Nicholas Street (Portland Street to Mosley Street)
- Pine Street (Chain Street to New York Street)
Parking and Metrolink
Parking suspensions will be in operation from 9pm on Saturday 21 January 2023.
For those using Metrolink, there won't be any suspensions to tram services there might be slight delays. From 12 noon until 1pm visitors should expect some congestion around St Peters Square due to more pedestrians, and the Dragon Parade will cross the tracks at St Peter's Square between 12:30pm and 12:40pm.
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