Liverpool's 125ft Chinese New Year dragon marks 50 years

Liverpool's 125ft scarlet dragon has been led in the city's Chinese New Year parade by the Hung Gar Kung Fu school for 50 years, and this year's festivities are scheduled for February 21–22.

Liverpool's Lunar New Year celebrations centre on a 125ft scarlet dragon that has been paraded through the city for five decades. The dragon dance has been organised by the Hung Gar Kung Fu school since the group was founded in 1975, and the performance often draws volunteers from across the city. What we know: - The dragon is 125ft long and is the central feature of the annual parade down Berry Street. - The Hung Gar Kung Fu school founded by Master Jimmy Chan in 1975 has organised the dragon dance for 50 years; after Chan's death in 1989, student Stephen Ornellas became the school's teacher. - Practices are sometimes held on the steps of St George's Hall, and volunteers who are not students are invited to join the dragon dance. - In 2024 the school held a ceremony to welcome two new Chinese lions; the ceremony included the traditional eye‑opening blessing and other rituals that prepare the lion costumes for performance. - Organisers reported that around 60,000 people attended over two days last year, and the Chinese New Year programme runs for about two weeks with performances in schools and public events. Summary: The dragon dance is a longstanding community event that brings together performers, volunteers and audiences across cultures in Liverpool. This year's Chinese New Year events, marked as the Year of the Horse, are set for February 21 and 22 and will include a procession from Church Street at midday alongside street theatre, traditional costumes, lantern displays and other cultural activities.