Happy New Year – Again

Liverpool celebrates Chinese New Year.

Chinatown chinese liverpool new year

Festivites were in full flow today as Chinatown and the surrounding area played host to vibrant celebrations of the New Year.

The Chinese New Year, one of several based upon a lunar calendar, was on Friday 31st, but the main events were saved for Sunday.

The bombed-out church became the decked-out church for the day

With an estimated 30,000 Chinese people living in Liverpool, the event was always going to be well marked and the sound of music filled the air.

Further towards the famous arch, largest of its kind outside of China, the crowds got bigger and bigger – and not just due to their lifestyles.

Crowds gather for the Dragon Parade

Lanterns adorned much of the city,  contributing to the lively carnival atmosphere.

A rather fetching blue dragon

There’s always one that goes over the top

Much of the event is related to the luck that the new year is hoped to bring, with drums being played to drive out evil spirits as the dragons go from building to building. A slightly scary looking “Lucky Man” also follows the parade.

I bet your neighbours love you

And, as always, the Scots were up for celebrating New Year too.

Any chance they get

Like The Tab on Facebook and follow us on Twitter