As Warrington celebrates the Lunar New Year and enters the Year of the Dragon, the town centre will be transformed into a vibrant and melodious celebration.
Warrington Borough Council, in collaboration with the Warrington Business Improvement District (BID), Culture Warrington, Live Wire, and Independent Street Markets, is organising the Lunar New Year Festival, which is scheduled for Sunday, February 18. The festival will feature a variety of complimentary events scheduled for the entire day.
The East Asian festival will feature up to 50 artisan market stalls, live music, face painting, martial arts demonstrations, traditional western foods, face painting, and an authentic lion and dragon dance, which symbolise good luck, health, and prosperity.
Cllr Tom Jennings, Cabinet member for Economic Development & Innovation at Warrington Borough Council, said:
“After a full calendar of events and new openings last year, there is a palpable sense of excitement for what is to come next in Warrington town centre and our intent is to continue establishing and hosting a diverse array of activities that showcase and honour the rich tapestry of cultures flourishing within the various communities of Warrington.”
Amy Dawber, Warrington BID Manager, said:
“This is the first time we have held an event of this kind in Warrington and we felt it was important to celebrate the town’s rich culture and diverse communities. There’ll be plenty going on and will promise something for everyone to enjoy.”
The event will take place at Palmyra Square’s Queen Gardens, as well as at Time Square, Warrington Market, Central Library, and Warrington Museum and Art Gallery. It begins at 11 a.m. and ends at 4 p.m.
When Liverpool’s Hung Gar Kung Fu School visits the area, visitors can join in on the excitement. Starting at 11.30 am in Palmyra Square, the school will perform a martial arts demonstration along with a lion and dragon dance. After that, the show will go to Springfield Street’s Mr. Lau’s restaurant. It will then perform in Time Square at 1:30 p.m., before making a stop at Yum Cha and ending at Warrington Market.
Pamela Lau, Owner at Mr Lau’s restaurant, said:
“It’s brilliant to see Warrington coming together to celebrate such an important occasion in our culture. Mr Lau’s loyal following will know we always put on a show for Chinese New Year, and now we get to be involved on a bigger scale.
“In Chinese culture, the dragon symbolises power, nobility, honour, luck, and success. I’d like to wish everyone a happy and prosperous new year, Kung Hey Fat Choi.”
In collaboration with Mulan Culture, the organisers have also commissioned indoor activities for Warrington Central Library, Museum, and Art Gallery. In celebration of Lunar New Year, there will be free arts and crafts workshops covering everything from calligraphy to 3D printing dragons to birth year badges to paper flower making. The museum’s entire collection will also be on display.
Leah Biddle, Cultural Manager at Culture Warrington, said:
“For the festival (Year of the Dragon), together the museum and library will be decorated and from 11am-2pm, visitors can take part in a range of free, craft activities and there’ll also be refreshments with tea and fortune cookies.
“We are starting the celebrations earlier, on February 16th, so families can enjoy the sessions during half-term too. Lunar New Year is an exciting event for Warrington, not only marking the start of the Chinese New Year but also bringing a range of cultures together to learn, enjoy and celebrate as a community.”
In order to wrap up the festivities, Independent Street Markets will present up to 50 artisan stalls in Queen Gardens at Palmyra Square. These stalls will include a variety of street food and drink vendors, independent companies, face painting, and live music.
The Lunar New Year Festival is funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Warrington BID is committed to enhancing and promoting the town centre as a thriving and vibrant destination for businesses, residents, and visitors. Their efforts include supporting events such as this and initiatives that bring the community together while supporting local businesses.
For full timings and a breakdown of events, visit the website.
READ MORE: WARRINGTON TOWN CENTRE SEES RECORD CROWDS FOR CHRISTMAS EXTRAVAGANZA
