All the info you need about this Saturday’s Chinese New Year parade

Lions and Dragons are set to take over the city centre this weekend.

Liverpool will officially begin it’s Chinese New Year celebrations this weekend with a drama-filled parade, live performances and the launch of the Terracotta Warriors exhibition at World Museum. As part of the wider ‘Chinese Dream’ Capital of Culture 10th anniversary celebrations, the city streets have been adorned with bright red Chinese lanterns, ready to welcome a traditional parade this Saturday 10th February 2018.

The parade will begin at 1pm and will follow a route through the busy city shopping streets, ensuring everyone gets a good view of the lions from Hung Gar King Fu and the mini dragon and lion from Pagoda Arts. If you’re shopping at Liverpool ONE on Saturday, head to Keys Court from 1pm to see performances from Flower Drummers, Tai Chi demonstrations and Guzheng from Pagoda Arts before the parade winds down at Thomas Steers Way (John Lewis steps) around 3pm. Scroll down for the parade route.

The main Chinese New Year celebrations will take place from Friday 16th – Sunday 18th February 2018. Each night, a beautiful lumiere display will take over Chinatown, lighting up the Chinese Arch, the Black-E and The Arch (formerly known as the Scandinavian Hotel).

This weekend is also your first chance to see China’s First Emperor and the Terracotta Warriors Exhibition at World Museum, William Brown Street. With more than 180 artefacts on display including 10 Terracotta figures, this incredible exhibition tells the tale of how an ancient army was created, buried and discovered more than 2,000 years later. Watch above as we take you inside World Museum for a sneak peek, and click here to book your tickets.

Lu Xinjian, City DNA Salford and Manchester, 2016 Pic Credit: Art Labor Gallery, Shanghai

If all that wasn’t enough, St George’s Hall is also hosting a celebration of Chinese culture with a free to enter, contemporary art exhibition in the rarely seen vaults area of the historic venue.  PRESENCE: A Window into Chinese Contemporary Art will open to the public at St George’s Hall on Friday 9th February 2018 and will feature work from 19 of the most exciting emerging and established artists who hail from mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and the diaspora. Click here to see more.

The Parade Route

You can catch the parade on the following city streets between 1pm and 3pm this Saturday 10th February 20018;

1 – Bold Street

2 – Church Street

3 – Paradise Street (College Lane)

4 – Paradise Place

5 – South John Street (Paperchase Liverpool ONE)

6 – Wall Street (Claire’s Accessories)

7 – Thomas Steers Way (John Lewis/Chavasse Park)

If you’re heading into town to catch the parade, make sure you grab a spot early and don’t forget to tag us in your pics on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram too. We’ll be sharing the best on our socials across the weekend.