Chinatown will be decorated with 1,000 Chinese lanterns as Liverpool celebrates the Year of the Monkey.

The traditional lanterns will line Nelson Street and will stay in place for around a week.

The Chinese New Year festivities will take place in spectacular style on Sunday 7th February with a series of street performances, parades and the popular Chinese market on Great George Street selling gifts, souvenirs and mouth-watering food.

The family friendly excitement kicks off from 11am in Great George Square, with the following programme:

• 11 – 11.30am               Pagoda Arts – Flower Drums and Fan Tai Chi
• 11.35 – 12.15pm         Kwong Tam School of Tai Chi (in association with See Yep Association)
• 12.20 – 12.35pm        Wah Sing – Traditional Chinese Dance & Song
• 12.35 – 1pm                Pagoda Arts – Dance, Tai Chi, Happy Dance!
• 1 – 2pm                       Firecracker Display – Lucky Man, Dragon, Lion and Unicorn Parade arrives
• 2 – 2.15pm                  Gung Har Kung Fu School – Martial Arts Demonstration
• 2.20 – 2.30pm            China Pearl – Chinese Round Fan Dance
• 2.35 – 3.15pm             Kwong Tam School of Tai Chi (in association with See Yep Association)
• 3.20 – 3.30pm            Movema Dance – San Jiao – The Chinese symbolism of trios blended with martial arts into contemporary dance
• 3.30 – 3.45pm            Movema Dance – Chinese Dance Workshop – Suitable for all ages and levels.
• 3.45 – 4pm                  Movema Dance – Chinese Fusion community performance

On the day there will also be the chance to see musical performances from the Pagoda at their venue in Henry Street from 1.30p and FACT from 2.30pm.

Assistant Mayor and Liverpool City Council’s cabinet member for culture, tourism and events, Councillor Wendy Simon, said:

“Chinese New Year is always a popular event in our calendar, and thousands head in to the city centre every year to see the colourful spectacle as our Chinese community put on a fantastic display of dancing dragons and fire crackers.

“It is a wonderful family-friendly event and it’s a way for us all to celebrate this city’s Chinese heritage and welcome in the Year of the Monkey.”

For full listings details, visit www.cultureliverpool.co.uk/chinesenewyear2016

The event is organised by the city council in partnership with the Liverpool Chinese Business Association.