Liverpool Celebrates Lunar New Year

Say happy new year all over again when Liverpool stages a three-day festival in early February to celebrate the Lunar New Year that ushers in the Year of the Snake.

In the Chinese zodiac, the snake is associated with wisdom, charm, elegance, and transformation. People born in the Year of the Snake are believed to be intuitive, strategic, and intelligent.

Liverpool Mayor Ned Mannoun said Liverpool's Lantern and Lights Festival celebrates Asia's culture, traditions and food.

"It's part of our award-winning "Experience the World" series of festivals that last year brought 1.5 million visitors to the city and pumped $25 million into the Liverpool economy.

"Festivals such as Most Blessed Nights, Pasifika and Primavera show our commitment to celebrating the multicultural diversity of our wonderful city and celebrate the commonalities that unite us.

"Whether it's Australia Day, ANZAC Day or one of our multicultural celebrations, Liverpool Council is proud to celebrate the diverse makeup of our fast-growing city that's home for more than 150 nationalities," he said.

The city's Macquarie Mall plays host to food, dancing, culture and performers from across the nations of Asia.

There will be lion dances, roving entertainers, traditional dance troupes and a performances by Chinese, Thai, Indonesian, Vietnamese and Japanese performers.

Activities include face painting, free Chinese Calligraphy workshops, kids' activities including paper lantern making, hand fan decorating, lion mask colouring and other arts and crafts.

Supporting the dazzling entertainment is a vast array of appetising food from China, Vietnam, Japan, Cambodia, Laos, Taiwan, the Philippines, as well as other flavours from around the world.

Details at a glance

Where: Macquarie Mall, Liverpool

When: from 5pm to 10pm, Friday February 7 to Sunday February 9

Cost: Free admission – buy as much or as little as you want.