Chinese New Year falls on 17th February, and across the UK, cities will host a weekend of festivities to mark the event, also known as the Spring Festival and Lunar New Year.

While the weekend is filled with red lanterns, music, and family-friendly activities, major traffic congestion is expected in cities hosting celebrations. To help drivers plan their weekends effectively, Mike Thompson, Chief Operating Officer of Leasing Options, has revealed which areas are expected to experience the most congestion.

Manchester City Centre

There are two key events taking place. The Manchester Lunar New Year Fair is a vibrant weekend market with performances and food on 14-15th February, taking over Market Street, Exchange Square, and New Cathedral Street. While the Manchester Dragon Parade is being celebrated on the 15th February.

The road closures are as follows;

Chinatown closures for Saturday and Sunday

5am, 14 February to 11.59pm 15th February:

Nicholas Street (Portland Street to George Street)
St James Street (Princess Street to Nicholas Street)
Faulkner Street (Princess Street to Charlotte Street)

Chinatown closures for Sunday

5am to 11.59pm, 15th February:

Reyner Street (Princess Street to Charlotte Street)
Charlotte Street (Portland Street to Mosley Street)
George Street (Princess Street to New York Street)
Chain Street (George Street to Faulkner Street)
Back George Street (Dickenson Street to Charlotte Street)
Pine Street (Chain Street to New York Street)

Parade route closures

10am to 3pm, 15th February:

Peter Street (Mount Street to Lower Mosley Street) soft closure at the junction of Peter Street / Deansgate. Access for residents and businesses only.
Oxford Street (Peter Street to Whitworth Street West)
Portland Street (Chepstow Street to Chorlton Street)
Princess Street (Major Street to Cooper Street)
George Street (Oxford Street to Princess Street)
St James Street (Oxford Street to Princess Street)
Back George Street (Dickinson Street to Princess Street)
Faulkner Street (Princess Street to Novotel Hotel Entrance/ End of Faulkner Street)
Dickinson Street (Back George Street to Portland Street and Portland Street to Linley House/end of Dickinson Street)
Bale Street (Hall Street to Lower Mosley Street)
Hall Street (Bale Street to Oxford Street)Soft Closure inbound at Whitworth Street / Princess Street, Whitworth Street/ Sackville Street and Whitworth Street / Chorlton Street junctions. No through traffic. Access to residents, businesses and buses only.  
Reverse of the one-way at Major Street (Princess Street to Sackville Street)