Key Points
- Thousands of red lanterns adorn streets around Chinatown, Liverpool ONE, and Royal Albert Dock from 14 February.
- Iconic buildings including Liverpool Town Hall and St George’s Hall illuminated in red for Lunar New Year.
- Breathtaking lantern centrepieces feature a majestic horse and pair of dragons, handcrafted in China.
- Main celebrations on 22 February in Chinatown with parades, performances, workshops, and firecracker displays.
- Lunar New Year parade starts 14 February at 1pm from Church Street, led by local associations and performers.
Liverpool (Liverpool Standard) February 5, 2026 – Liverpool has undergone a vibrant transformation for Chinese New Year with thousands of red lanterns illuminating key areas including Chinatown, Liverpool ONE, and Royal Albert Dock.
Iconic landmarks such as Liverpool Town Hall and St George’s Hall glow red, while specially commissioned lantern centrepieces—a majestic horse and formidable dragons—serve as striking focal points across the city centre.
What Special Lantern Installations Mark This Year’s Celebrations?
The horse and dragon lanterns, symbolising strength, prosperity, and renewal, were handcrafted in Zigong, China, by master artisans at SC Genial Tech and designed by The Pyro Studio and Event Design Company Ltd, according to VisitLiverpool.com reporting.
As reported by VisitLiverpool.com staff of VisitLiverpool.com, these illuminated sculptures blend traditional craftsmanship with modern innovation for an immersive experience captivating audiences of all ages.
When and Where Do the Main Chinese New Year Events Take Place?
Main festivities occur on Sunday 22 February in Liverpool’s Chinatown—Europe’s oldest Chinese community—with a smaller programme on Saturday 21 February from 11am to 5pm, featuring family workshops, Tai Chi, street theatre, live music, food stalls, and traditional dragon, lion, and unicorn parades.
What Route Does the Lunar New Year Parade Follow?
The parade launches on 14 February at 1pm from Church Street, proceeding through Paradise Street in Liverpool ONE to Royal Albert Dock, led by Liverpool Hung Gar Kung Fu Friendship Association, Pagoda Arts, Movema dance company, and stilt walkers in Beijing opera-style costumes from Artemis Productions, as detailed by SecretLiverpool.co.
How Are Liverpool’s Landmarks and Partners Contributing?
Liverpool ONE hosts a fire horse sculpture centrepiece alongside a themed Liverpool Sign and hundreds of lanterns, while Royal Albert Dock aligns its Fiesta of Fire with the celebrations, as stated by Estate Manager Sean Morrison.
Royal Albert Dock Estate Manager Sean Morrison said:
“We are proud to partner with Culture Liverpool to deliver such an ambitious calendar crossover for 2026. By aligning our hugely popular Fiesta of Fire celebrations with the city’s vibrant Chinese New Year festivities, we are creating a world-class cultural destination for February half-term.”
