Year of the Snake ??

Hello

Red lanterns and decorations are all over town which can only mean one thing.

Chinese New Year celebrations are underway in Manchester with plenty of events planned throughout the weekend. The legendary dragon parade will see a huge procession snake through the city centre on Sunday alongside acrobatic performers, dancers and drummers.

Food markets, music, performances and family-friendly activities are also taking place in Chinatown to mark the Year of the Snake over the next two days. There will of course be some road closures to facilitate the festivities which you can read more about here.

Officially, Chinese New Year, also known as Spring Festival, actually took place on Wednesday. But the Lunar New Year is celebrated around the world for several weeks.

Our What's On Editor Jenna Campbell has put togetherthis handy guidewith all the essential information you'll need if you're heading down to Chinatown this weekend.

Hello Oriental

If you don't fancy the trip to town this weekend, you could mark the Year of the Snake at the Trafford Centre instead. Coinciding with the Lunar New Year celebrations, one of Manchester’s most popular Far Eastern restaurants and bars has just opened a new spot. Hello Oriental, which has had a base at Circle Square on Oxford Road in the city centre, has become known for its range of East Asian dishes since it first opened three years ago. The beloved food hall has opened a new restaurant, bar, and events space in the Trafford shopping centre's recently-revamped Upper Orient area.? You can read all about it here.

Etihad fire 'accidental'

Did you see the shocking images of a fire ravaging through a merchandise stand outside the Etihad stadium earlier this week? Well, an investigation has now revealed the cause. Shortly before City's clash with Club Brugge this week, jumpers, t-shirts and scarves were set alight and, within moments, the kiosk erupted into flames. Following an investigation, the M.E.N. has learned that the fire is believed to have been accidental, and caused by an item of clothing which fell onto an electric plug in heater. ? You can read more about it here.

'Literally falling down'

At Stepping Hill hospital, a ￡130m repair bill is looming. Buildings have been demolished over safety concerns, light fittings have crashed from the ceiling into a delivery ward. On occasion, doctors have been forced to wade through flooded corridors in order to see patients. Local MPs are outraged that the Stockport hospital has been ‘excluded’ from desperately-needed government funding - and instead been ‘pushed even further down the pecking order by the government’. It comes after the government announced up to ￡1.5bn of funding to rebuild North Manchester General Hospital last week.? More here.

Bakers dozen

Congratulations to the two Greater Manchester bakeries that have been named in the prestigious 'Bakers Dozen' list. Lovingly Artisan in Altrincham has claimed the top spot on the list for 2025 for the third year in a row.It is joined in the rankings by Manchester's Pollen Bakery which has claimed the number four spot.? Read more

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Weather etc

Weekend: Saturday will be overcast, changing to sunny intervals by late morning with highs of 8°. And there's a similar outlook for Sunday, although temperatures may feel as low as 2°.

Roadworks: No trams will be running between Eccles and MediaCityUK from Saturday as improvement work takes place at Weaste. Services will restart on Wednesday with a replacement bus operating between affected stops until then. There'll also be no trains between Stalybridge and Leeds via Huddersfield this weekend due to engineering works.

Manchester headlines

• Prowler jailed: Twisted predator Robert Emmerson who prowled the streets beneath the Mancunian Way has been jailed for four and a half years. The court heard from his victims yesterday.
• Grooming trial: Men accused of raping and sexually abusing teenage girls told police the alleged victims were ‘lying’ for ‘quick easy money’, a court has heard. The trial continues.
• ￡630m budget: Andy Burnham will get a ￡630m budget to spend how he likes, the government has announced. The Greater Manchester mayor has described the deal which gives him more flexibility over funding as 'game-changing'. More?here.

Worth a read

In the basement of a Northern Quarter sports bar, you can find the home comforts of Brazil. Helmed by chef and former Brazilian MasterChef contestant Caroline Martins, SAMPA is an exclusive dining set-up which aims to make you feel like you have stepped off the street into her kitchen and been invited to try out her favourite dishes. Ahead of its full opening, the Manchester Evening News was invited to see what it has to offer.? You can read all about it here.

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