Manchester’s legendary Dragon Parade is to make its way through city centre once again this year after a two-year hiatus.
As Manchester gets ready to celebrate Chinese New Year 2023 and mark the Year of the Rabbit, the popular Dragon Parade – which is known for attracting thousands of visitors from all across the region – is to bring a spectacular show of colour back to the city centre next weekend.
Organised by the Federation of Chinese Associations of Manchester (FCAM), in partnership with Manchester BID and Manchester City Council, the 175ft Chinese dragon will be weaving its way through the city’s streets on Sunday 22 January.
The dragon will be joined by traditional lion and ribbon dancers, Chinese Opera performers, twelve Zodiac animals, and Ancient Army characters.
Celebrate the Year of the Rabbit with us from 21 January 🐰
In what is a new route for 2023, the dragon will perform outside Manchester Central at 12pm, before making its journey via Mount Street, to Peter Street, Oxford Street, Portland Street, Princess Street, Faulkner Street, and finishing off in Chinatown, where there will be a whole host of other exciting events to celebrate the Lunar New Year.
There will be a live performance stage, a fun fair, Chinese arts and crafts workshops, and an authentic selection of street food stalls to make the most of in Chinatown from 12pm-7pm.
There will also be two glittering illuminated night dragon performances at 5pm and 6pm.
Manchester’s legendary Dragon Parade is to make its way through city centre once again this year / Credit: CityCo & Manchester BID
The Dragon Parade isn’t all we’ve got to look forward to for Chinese New Year 2023 here in Manchester though, as there’s plenty of other celebrations on the lineup for the full week too.
You may have already noticed that thousands of traditional red lanterns have appeared in trees up above to brighten the city’s streets, and on top of this, there’ll also be a week-long residency of traditional street food stalls in Piccadilly Gardens from Saturday 21 – Sunday 29 January, and a final performance from the illuminated night dragon to close this year’s festivities at 5pm on Sunday 29January in Piccadilly Gardens.
Other venues participating in celebrations this year include Manchester Central Library, which is hosting a Chinese New Year Celebration for families from 12pm-4pm on Sunday 22 January with free crafts, Chinese performances, workshops and face painting, and Ducie Street Warehouse is hosting a Chinese Brush Painting workshop from 2pm-4.30pm on Sunday 22 January too.
The popular Dragon Parade is known for attracting thousands of visitors from all across the region / Credit: CityCo & Manchester BID
Dragon Parade Performance and Parade Times
12pm-12:30pm – Performance outside Manchester Central
12:30pm-1:15pm – Dragon Parade from Manchester Central to Chinatown
1:15pm – Dragon Parade arrives at Chinatown
1:15pm-1:45pm – Performances at Faulkner Street Car Park and Chinatown
“I’m very happy this year as we will welcome the return of the Dragon Parade, as it has been two years since we have been able to wake up the dragon to bless the city,” said Lisa Yam – president of the FCAM ahead of this year’s celebrations.
“The Year of the Rabbit is sure to be a great year for us all.”
There will also be a whole host of New Year celebrations in Manchester’s Chinatown / Credit: CityCo & Manchester BID
Jane Sharrocks – District Chair of Manchester BID – added: “This is the eighth consecutive year we’ve partnered with the Federation of Chinese Associations of Manchester on the city’s Chinese New Year celebrations.
“We’ve adorned the city with thousands of traditional red lanterns once again for 2023 to help welcome in the Year of the Rabbit and we’re delighted see the return of the Dragon Parade which is always a real crowd pleaser and highlight of the celebrations.”
Greater Manchester’s beloved Santa steam trains are back again this Christmas
Emily Sergeant
Greater Manchester’s beloved Santa steam train rides are back for more festive fun this Christmas, and tickets are already on sale… genuinely.
Sure, it’s literally only the second week of September, and we’ve technically still got the rest of summer, and the small matter of Halloween and Bonfire Night to get through first, but East Lancashire Railway (ELR) is already looking ahead to the most magical time of year.
The heritage railway has announced that its popular ‘Santa Specials’ steam train rides are back once again from late November.
The famous festive steam trains have become an essential part of Christmas for many families in the North West.
You can already grab tickets for Greater Manchester’s beloved Santa steam train rides this Christmas / Credit: ELR
And in recent years, the much-loved event has been even bigger and better than ever before.
ELR’s ‘Santa Specials‘ are your chance to hop on board an old-school steam train and travel through the magical Irwell Valley to make ‘enchanted memories’ that last a lifetime.
The truly special Christmas day out starts as you make your way through a winter wonderland at Bury Bolton Street Station.
You’ll first get to meet some old favourites and new characters, including the magical talking Christmas tree, Mrs Claus, and ELR’s very own Ice Princess, all before before having a singalong with a chorus of musical polar bears.
The festive fun then continues on the Santa Special steam trains themselves, with an 80-minute ‘enchanting voyage’ through the picturesque Greater Manchester countryside.
And, of course, you can expect a special visit from Santa while you’re on board.
The famous East Lancashire Railway ‘Santa Special’ steam train / Credit: Darren Robinson Photography (via ELR)
After you’ve grabbed a selfie or two with the big man himself, the grown-ups can look forward to mince pies and festive tipple, while little Mancs can enjoy a soft drink, some chocolate, and take a festive-themed activity pack home with them.
East Lancashire Railway’s famous Santa Specials are running on weekends and selected weekdays from Saturday 22 November – Wednesday 24 December.
Tickets now on sale starting from £22.50 for kids and £23 for adults.
You can book your seats here before it’s too late.
Featured Image – ELR
What's On
Halloween in the City will return to Manchester with iconic inflatable monsters and loads more
Emily Sergeant
Halloween is soon set to return to the city, and dozens of huge inflatable monsters will be invading Manchester next month.
Yes, it’s that time of year yet again… the monsters are back.
After several years of looming over Manchester‘s most-notable rooftops and lurking around famous city centre sites, it’s been revealed that the iconic MCR Monsters will be returning for another year of spooky celebrations next month, along with loads of other terrifying tricks and treats – with something for the whole family to get involved with.
Organisers Manchester BID are set to turn the city centre into a ‘monstrous playground’ once the free two-day festival of frightful fun returns.
Halloween in the City will return to Manchester with iconic inflatable monsters and loads more / Credit: Manchester BID | CityCo
This year’s annual Halloween in the City celebrations will feature a week-long colourful invasion of the MCR Monsters, following the two-day family festival across the city’s popular shopping destinations.
For the first time ever, the epic MCR Monsters – which are created by talented local artists, Filthy Luker and Pedro Estrellas – will invade the city’s rooftops and buildings on the opening day of the Halloween in the City festival.
They’ll be taking over leading locations including Manchester Arndale, Selfridges, The Royal Exchange, KAMPUS, and AO Arena – with more terrifying takeovers yet to be announced.
A slimy creature will also be on the loose across the city centre, as ‘The Leech’ – a wriggling eight metre-long monster, created and produced by Walk the Plank – makes its anticipated return.
As for other spine-chilling activities over the weekend-long festival, you can expect family games, storytelling, and the bone-rattling Monster Party Procession, complete with giant puppet monsters, stilt walkers, and a live band.
Then as night falls, the city will glow ‘eerie green’ as iconic buildings light up in spooky style.
To finish things off, thousands of pumpkin lanterns will, once again, line the city’s shopping streets to add a ‘flicker of fun’ to the festival celebrations.
Halloween in the City festival will take over Manchester city centre on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 October, and MCR Monsters will be in town from Saturday 25 – Friday 31 October.
The pumpkins may potentially appear even earlier, so make sure to keep your eyes peeled.
Emily Sergeant -
13th January 2023 
