9 ways to celebrate Lunar New Year around Liverpool City Region

Lunar New Year is a huge celebration for many cultures across Asia.

Often referred to as Chinese New Year, Lunar New Year is an important festival in Merseyside given our historic links with China.

For 2025, the year of the snake celebrations will start officially on 29 January, and Liverpool will host many events to mark the occasion over the two-week festival period.

But you don’t need to be in the city centre to celebrate. 

You can join in the fun at restaurants across the region or even learn more about Lunar New Year at Lady Lever Art Gallery in Wirral.

Here are nine ways to celebrate Chinese New Year.

New China City, Southport

Celebrate the Year of the Snake with a special five course banquet at this Southport favourite.

There will be entertainment with a lion dance, fireworks, Kung Fu, a raffle and karaoke. It costs £32.95 per head and you can join in the fun on 24 and 25 January as well as 7 February.

To book call 01704 547138/530287.

New China City 18-20 King St, Southport.

Empire Restaurant, Southport 

Celebrate the Year of the Snake at Empire on 31 of January.

The celebrations will feature a Chinese lion dance and Kung Fu demonstration.

There will also be a raffle with the price worth more than £120.

To book call 01704 547718.

Empire Restaurant, 11-13 Nevill Street.

Lings On Kings, Southport

Book in now for Chinese New Year at this Southport favourite which is so popular they have four special nights planned.

The restaurant is celebrating on 31 January, as well as 1, 7 and 9 February.

There will be a six course Chinese banquet with live music from AcoustiCats Band. It costs £27.95 per person. 

To book call 01704 530169.

Lings on Kings, 52 King St, Southport.

The Grand, Southport

Enjoy a sumptuous six course Chinese tasting menu with cocktails at this gorgeous and historic venue.

The Grand will be celebrating Chinese New Year in the Brasserie on 7 February, starting at 7.30pm and costing £49 per person.

The specially curated menu will include favourites like chicken and sweetcorn soup, pork belly bao buns, hoi sin duck pancakes and more.

Book on the website here.

The Grand, 180 Lord St, Southport.

Chung Ku, Riverside Drive

Enjoy the celebrations at Chung Ku Restaurant on the banks of the Mersey, with a free martial arts and dragon display by the Liverpool City Hung Gar Martial Art School. 

The fun starts at 7pm and continues all evening. You can dine from the regular menu with all the Chung Ku favourites.

To book either call 0151 726 8191 or go to the website here.

Chung Ku, Columbus Quay, Riverside Drive.

Ying Wah Bar and Restaurant, Woolton Village

Celebrate Year of the snake at this popular Woolton eatery.

They will be celebrating on 26 January from 6pm with a special performance from Hung Gar School.

Book on the website here.

Ying Wah, 11 Woolton Street.

Peacock Inn, Ormskirk

This popular Ormskirk restaurant books up every year for Chinese New Year, so they have two nights planned for 2025.

There will be a four course meal, entertainment, karaoke, a raffle and lion dance.

The events will take place on 24 January and 7 February.

The cost is £40 per person with a £10 per person deposit required when you book.

To book call 01695 574000.

Peacock Inn, 17 The Stiles, Ormskirk.

Chows Parkgate

Chows Eating House will celebrate Chinese New Year on the evening of 29 January with a special banquet and lion dance entertainment.

The team will also take their delicious food to Liverpool on 2 February. You will be able to find their food truck at the centre of the new year celebrations in China Town.

To book the restaurant call 0151 336 2385 or visit the website here.

Chows, The Parade, Parkgate.

Lunar New Year at the Lady Lever Art Gallery, Port Sunlight 

Join in with the Lady Lever Art Gallery’s annual celebration of their Chinese collections and links to Wirral’s Chinese community.  

On 15 February there will be festivities for the Year of the Snake including traditional dance from the Wirral Chinese Cultural Association dance group and New Year card making.

You will also be able to find out about the lunar new year and the legend of the Zodiac Race with Billy Hui, presenter of BBC Merseyside’s Orient Express.

Find out more here.

Lady Lever Art Gallery, Lower Rd, Port Sunlight, Bebington.

For more events taking place for Lunar New Year around Liverpool click here.