MANCHESTER. Year Of The Rat.

I celebrated my second new year at the weekend, this one being The Chinese New Year in Manchester. This time around it’s the Year of the Rat. Last year was the Year of the Pig and to celebrate that St. Anns Square in Manchester was decorated with a giant pig. I was looking forward to seeing a large rat in the same pace this year but it was a Dragon instead. Ahh well. Maybe next time, which will be 2032 by my calculations.

Normally the parade starts from in front of the town hall on Albert Square but at the moment the building is undergoing a massive renovation program due to finish in 2024. This meant the parade started on the other side of the town hall in St. Peter’s Square, which I found better, less hemmed in.

26/01/20 MANCHESTER. Chinese New Year. Nicholas Street & George

MANCHESTER. In the crook of George Street & Nicholas Street is a mundane NCP Car Park which every year becomes transformed into something a little more exotic. Here, beware Dragon!

26/01/20 MANCHESTER. Chinese New Year. St. Peters Square.

MANCHESTER. St. Peters Square. Normally the Dragon Parade starts from outside the town hall on Albert Square, due to the town hall being closed for renovation until 2024 the event kicked off from the other side of the building on St.Peters Square from the steps of Manchester’s elegantly impressive Central Library. For me it worked a lot better as there was more space to see the start of the parade. The only drawback being having to keep your eyes open so as not to get nibbled by a passing tram. That said there were plenty of stewards in attendence both from the event and Manchester Metrolink.

MANCHESTER. St. Peters Square. Normally the Dragon Parade starts from outside the town hall on Albert Square, but you can always bring a spare dragon just in case.

The route then went up Oxford Road and into Portland Street before entering the clutch of narrow streets that form the city’s Chinatown district.

This is a picture heavy post so less blather from me and onto the pics.

26/01/20 MANCHESTER. Chinese New Year. George Street. Stepladde

MANCHESTER. On George Street. This is dedication to the art of photography. Think he deserves something of a bravery award, standing on a stepladder in the middle of fast moving crowds.

26/01/20 MANCHESTER. Chinese New Year. The Happy Seasons.

MANCHESTER. It’s January, it’s Manchester so perhaps the weather wasn’t as friendly on the day as it could have been. People wait with varying degrees of patience for food and shelter.

MANCHESTER. In the crook of George Street & Nicholas Street is a mundane NCP Car Park which every year becomes transformed into something a little more exotic. The stage is ertected here for the climax of the Dragon Parade through Chinatown and the fireworks from the rooftops of the surrounding buildings.

26/01/20 MANCHESTER. Chinese New Year. Sartorial Elegance On Ge

MANCHESTER. On George Street. The crowds at these sort of events are as much of an attraction for me ad anything else. My eye ws caught by this well turned out and groomed chap watching the Dragon go by.

MANCHESTER. On the Dragon carpark. If you like your sweets SWEET can I suggest that you make a note in your diary to visit Manchester’s Dragon Parade. This stall was turning out bubble waffles rolled and filled with ice cream and huge smarties. Don’t think they’d work as part of your five a day.

26/01/20 MANCHESTER. Chinese New Year. Selfies.

MANCHESTER. Selfie time by the Chinese Arch.

26/01/20 MANCHESTER. Chinese New Year.Faulkner Street.

MANCHESTER. Faulkner Street food.

26/01/20 MANCHESTER. Chinese New Year. China Buffet.

MANCHESTER. Nicholas Street, the China Buffet.

MANCHESTER. A cool, brisk evening lay claim to Faulkner Street as anticipation grows for the soon to arrive firework display which climaxes the Dragon Parade.

26/01/20 MANCHESTER. Chinese New Year. Food In Black & White

MANCHESTER. You will never go hungry or thirsty at the Chinese New Year in Manchester.

26/01/20 MANCHESTER. Chinese New Year. The Chinese Arch.

MANCHESTER. Crowds mingle around the Chinese Arch in the heart of Chinatown. The Arch was built in China and shipped over to Manchester in section and erected between 1986 & 1987.

26/01/20 MANCHESTER. Chinese New Year. Sticky Food.

MANCHESTER. Sticky food on Faulkner Street, I couldn’t quite work out what these were, but they were very sticky.

26/01/20 MANCHESTER. Chinese New Year. Lit Up Dragon.

MANCHESTER. Faulkner Street Stage. The climax of the Dragon Parade was a dance performed by an illiminated Dragon just before the fireworks display conculded the events.