Liverpool's 2026 Chinese New Year Celebrations - Part 2
Report by:- Anasimone Ibrahim.. Photos by: Patrick Trollope and Anasimone Ibrahim.

FIRECRACKERS, confetti and silly string filled the streets of Liverpool during the Chinese New Year celebrations on the:- 22 February 2025. Liverpool has the oldest and largest Chinese community in all of Europe, as well as the largest Chinese arch outside of China, so a massive weekend of endless celebration was expected. Food stalls, pop up shops and fun fair rides could be found across the streets neighbouring China Town, and the festivities didn't stop there.



Just across from the Chinese Arch that was donated by Shanghai in the year 2000, is the Black E, an arts centre that showcased performers throughout the day that ranged from dancers to jugglers and aerial performers that left everyone's jaws on the floor.

Other performances consisted of hip hop dancers, light shows, singers and a circus like performance perfectly executed by two children dressed like clowns. Unexpected was an understatement, but so would be calling them impressive.

Mythical creatures were among the thousands that gathered for the celebrations, as a brightly orange dragon, the Chinese Lucky man, and several cabbage throwers dressed up on stilts, graced the streets for an authentic Chinese New Year filled with luck.

The different activities and shows available on the day started at:- 11 am and ended at:- 5 pm, on the main stage in St George's Square, which was just as impressive as the performances that took place in the Black E.

Several similar dances took place, but the Liverpool Chinese Gospel Church Choir from across the road, consisting of children of all ages, gave a touching recital and a beautiful closing message of:- 'good prosperity' to all.

The band Tian, consisting of only 2 brothers:- John and Charlie Tian Yi Wardle, gave a uniquely memorable show, as they mixed both traditional Chinese and Mongolian instruments, with a traditional western drum kit to create a perfect representation of the diverse crowds that gathered to celebrate the new year with the Chinese community.

With 2026 being the year of the fire horse, which only occurs once every 60 years, the finale of the festivities being a fire show, seemed quite fitting.

The fire horse symbolises energy, independence, transformative change and breaking old patterns.

This is why the Organiser of the event:- Simon Wong, along with Culture Liverpool, created an animated horse covered in a beautiful red, flower filled mesh fabric, to trollop through the streets during the day.

Mr Wong, a 74 year old man who has lived in Liverpool for the past 60 years, explained that for him, heading this event for the past 14 years has been an honour, as he loves to see the joy it brings to all the children who attend.

Mr Wong has also been the chair of the Liverpool Chinese Business Association for almost 15 years, and is a pillar to the Chinese community in Liverpool.

The celebrations that took place are a testament to his hard work, as people from all across England travelled to be a part of it, including:- BBC Radio Merseyside's very own Billy Hui.

With different people from across the country being brought together for these festivities, a sense of community, family and joy could be felt throughout the day, long after the sun had disappeared back into the clouds.

It was an unforgettable experience that will, without a doubt, be back with an even better show next year.