Manchester Lunar New Year 2026 - dates & what’s on

Our roving reporter Molly Dixon has whipped up a handy guide to everything happening in Manchester this Lunar New Year. Here’s what she has to say.

Manchester’s Lunar New Year celebrations kick off well before the official date. Chinese New Year in 2026 falls on Tuesday 17 February, but the city’s biggest free events happen over the weekend of Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 February 2026.

Key dates to know

• Saturday 14 February 2026: Manchester Lunar New Year Fair & city centre cultural activities.

• Sunday 15 February 2026: Dragon Parade and more Lunar New Year festivities.

• Wednesday 18 February 2026 (4–9pm): Manchester Museum Lunar New Year celebration.

Weekend Chinatown Celebrations (14–15 Feb) 

Manchester’s Chinatown and key city centre streets come alive over the 14–15 February weekend with a proper traditional festival atmosphere. Bold red lanterns above the streets, street food stalls, markets, live music and dancing all day. 

The Lunar New Year Fair takes over Market Street, Exchange Square and New Cathedral Street with more than 120 stalls, live performances and family-friendly activities. It’s free to walk around, soak in the colour, and sample food from independent traders. 

This weekend is a citywide street party, you can wander at your own pace, stop for a snack, watch performers or join in with workshops if they’re on. 

Dragon Parade (Sunday 15 Feb) 

The Dragon Parade is the main event. A long traditional dragon, carried by performers, snakes through the city’s main shopping streets before arriving in Chinatown for the final display. It’s loud, energetic and fun to watch and it’s free to attend. 

Locals recommend turning up earlier in the day if you want an unobstructed view, since the route gets busy near midday, but you can always enjoy performances and street stalls in between the parade running. 

Manchester Museum - (Wednesday 18 Feb)

On Wednesday 18 February Manchester Museum is running a free celebration (drop-in, no ticket) to mark Lunar New Year including: 

• A traditional lion dance 

• Music from visiting performers (including musicians from Hong Kong) 

• Hands-on craft workshops (Su embroidery, woodblock printing and more) 

• Storytelling, cultural demonstrations and workshops for families 

What else is on 

You’ll also find: 

• Live music and dance performances on stages throughout the area.  

• Street food stalls and markets with dumplings, noodles and other festival eats. 

• Free workshops and craft sessions for kids and families popping up between main events.  

Lunar New Year food options

You don’t have to spend money to enjoy the celebrations you’re absolutely fine to bring your own snacks or pack a small picnic if you want to keep costs down, especially if you’re visiting with kids.  

That said, roving reporter would highly recommend trying some of the street food if you can, even if it’s just one small dish to share. It’s a great opportunity to taste something new, portions are usually generous, prices are rarely over the top for a city centre event, and honestly, it’s always very, very good. 

Trains 

Manchester Piccadilly station will be closed over the Lunar New Year weekend due to engineering works. No trains will run in or out of Piccadilly, so you’ll need an alternative route. You can still use these three central stations, all within walking distance of Chinatown and city‑centre celebrations:  

• Manchester Victoria 

• Manchester Oxford Road 

• Manchester Deansgate 

Always check National Rail or your train operator before travelling for up‑to‑date timings and routes. 

Busses 

Manchester’s free city centre bus service will be running as normal. Free Bus routes 1 and 2 operate in a loop connecting key areas:  

• Piccadilly Gardens 

• Deansgate 

• Shudehill 

• Oxford Road 

• Victoria 

All stops are within easy reach of Chinatown and the Lunar New Year events. The service is completely free to hop on and off, helpful for families or avoiding extra tram/taxi costs during busy periods. 

A quick final note...

All these main events are free to attend, you only spend if you choose to buy food, try a workshop or pick up souvenirs. It’s one of Manchester’s most vibrant cultural weekends, and the mix of traditional dance, music, food and community spirit means there’s something to enjoy whether you’re with kids, friends or exploring solo.