Royal Albert Dock is inviting families to celebrate Chinese New Year in style this half term, with a packed programme of free, child-friendly arts and crafts workshops taking place from 16–20 February in collaboration with Culture Liverpool.
Across three dockside venues – PANAM, Fab4 Cafe and Revolution – children can get hands-on with creative activities inspired by traditional Chinese New Year themes, colours and symbolism.
What’s On
Fab4 Cafe – 16th, 18th, 20th February (10am–2:30pm)
Hosted by Unusual Art, children can create and hand-decorate their own mobile horse puppet to celebrate the Year of the Horse, bringing movement and colour to their design.
Revolution 16th, 18th, 20th February (12pm–5pm)
Little Vintage Photography will introduce young creatives to the magic of light and science. Children can make ‘photogram’ cyanotype sunprints, bookmarks or bunting, or even build their own pinhole viewers to explore the world upside down – blending art with a touch of basic physics.
PANAM 17th, 19th February (12pm–5pm)
Led by Dora Colquhoun, children can craft a Chinese horse head while discovering the horse’s symbolism of strength, freedom and perseverance through storytelling and imaginative play.
Spectacular Waterfront Highlights
The workshops form part of a wider half-term celebration across the dock. Visitors can enjoy:
- Two large-scale dragon installations at Salthouse Bridge
- A special Dock Shorts animation screening
- Dazzling fire shows by Bring The Fire Project projected onto the Merseyside Maritime Museum
The evening performances will feature freestyle displays from eight fire artists, accompanied by a live drumming soundtrack from Wirral Drummers, promising an electrifying atmosphere on the waterfront.
Family Dining at the Dock
Between workshops and performances, families can refuel at the dock’s wide range of restaurants.
Enjoy Chinese New Year-inspired specials at Lunyalita, including Peking Duck Croquetas and Singapore Noodle Fideua, alongside a dedicated children’s menu where kids eat free.
Little ones can also make their own pizza at Gusto, create a mini Thai feast at Rosa’s Thai, or tuck into a seedlings menu at The Botanist – with plenty more options to suit every taste.
With creativity, culture, spectacular fire shows and family-friendly dining all in one iconic waterfront setting, Royal Albert Dock is the perfect place to celebrate Chinese New Year this half term.
For more information, please visit the website.
