Thousands gather in Manchester's Chinatown to begin Chinese New Year celebrations

Thousands of people flocked into Manchester today to begin celebrations for the Chinese New Year, to mark the year of the dragon.

Pictures show Chinatown in central Manchester packed with people enjoying the sights, sounds and flavours of the far east.

Whether it was for the mini fireworks crackling on the ground or traditional dumplings or Chinese choirs, crowds and families flooded into a small area of the city centre to enjoy the festivities.

Already, trees across the city have been adorned with red lanterns ahead of the big event, also known as Lunar New Year.

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Chinatown is the central hub for the celebrations with a bumper programme of events taking place on Saturday, February 10, and Sunday, February 11. There are arts and crafts stalls, a fun fair and a food market.

But Saturday's festivities were merely a taster for the main event - Sunday's dragon parade.

On Sunday the iconic dragon parade will return to the streets of Manchester, although this year it has a slightly different route. The performance will begin at 12pm at the Oxford Street and George Street junction, before the parade makes its way to Chinatown via Portland Street, Princess Street and Faulkner Street.

The parade features a spectacular 175ft Chinese Dragon, accompanied by traditional lion and ribbon dancers, Chinese Opera performers, 12 zodiac animals and ancient army characters, as well as singers, violinists, choir performances and Chengdu acrobats. The parade will culminate with celebrations in the car park and surrounding streets of Chinatown.

Chinese New Year 2024 falls on Saturday, February 10, this year and will begin the Year of the Dragon. The Chinese zodiac, which