Royal Albert Dock to host huge Lunar New Year celebrations

The Royal Albert Dock is set to host a packed programme of free events this February half-term, including vibrant Lunar New Year celebrations.

The programme brings together large-scale installations, eye-catching live performances and hands-on family-friendly activities, offering visitors of all ages the chance to experience world-class cultural events in a unique dockside setting.

From 14 February, visitors will be greeted by two striking dragon installations located on either side of Salthouse Bridge. Symbolising strength, prosperity and renewal, the large-scale sculptures have been created by The Pyro Studio and Event Design Company, the acclaimed team behind major Lunar lantern festivals across the UK. Handcrafted in Zigong, China, the global capital of traditional lantern-making, the dragons blend centuries-old craft with cutting-edge innovation to create a colourful photo point to mark the Year of the Horse.

Fiesta of Fire at Royal Albert Dock — Credit: Pete Carr

On 14 February, the dock will also welcome the annual Chinese New Year parade, led by Liverpool Hung Gar Kung Fu Friendship Association, Pagoda Arts and award-winning dance company Movema. Featuring street theatre, colourful Beijing opera-style costumes and stilt walkers, the procession will start in Liverpool city centre and make its way to Royal Albert Dock at approximately 3pm before travelling around the inner quay.

Fiesta of Fire returns to the dock for its third consecutive year for two nights on 15 and 21 February, transforming the iconic destination with dazzling fire and pyrotechnic performances by Bring the Fire Project. New for 2026, visitors can enjoy a 15-minute show projected onto the façade of the Maritime Museum as part of Dock Shorts. Each screening will be enhanced by freestyle fire performances from eight artists around the inner quay, accompanied by an electrifying live soundtrack from local drumming group Wirral Drummers. Shows will take place at 6pm and 7pm on 15 February, and at 6pm, 7pm, and 8pm on 21 February.

Families are invited to get creative this February half-term with a programme of free arts and crafts workshops running from 16 to 20 February, hosted inside PANAM, Revolution and The Discovery Zone in The Beatles Story. These drop-in sessions will offer a fun, hands-on way to create Chinese New Year–inspired crafts, with children taking part alongside a supervising adult.

From 16 to 22 February, a special Dock Shorts animation celebrating the Year of the Horse will be projected onto the façade of the Maritime Museum. Best viewed from the inner quay, the animation will run daily from 5pm to 10pm, providing an atmospheric highlight to Chinese New Year celebrations.

Royal Albert Dock Estate Manager, Sean Morrison, comments:

“We are thrilled to bring such a vibrant and diverse programme of free events to the dock this February half-term. By celebrating the spectacular return of Fiesta of Fire alongside the cultural richness of Chinese New Year, we are offering visitors a unique experience that combines world-class performance with our iconic dockside heritage.

“It is a privilege to collaborate with partners like Culture Liverpool to host these large-scale celebrations, ensuring the dock remains the ultimate destination for unforgettable moments this February.”