Chinese New Year

Celebrate The ‘Year of the Dog’. at this year’s event, which takes place on the first Sunday after CNY, (16th February, this year).

Once again, The London Chinatown Chinese Association will be bringing colourful festivities to the West End from Shaftesbury Avenue to Trafalgar Square.

More than 30 groups will participate in floats as part of the Chinese New Year Parade, which kicks off at 10 am led by a dragon and lion dance in Charing Cross Road before heading to Chinatown.

Entertainment continues in Trafalgar Square from midday. The main stage line up includes traditional Chinese dance and music performers and contemporary hip-hop acts. Head to the food zone for trucks serving up tasty Chinese street food. If you want to sit down in the warm for a bit, go Chinatown for festive feasting.

The programme is divided into zones to help you plan your visit. If you’re taking kids head to the Leicester Square family zone for dressing up, performances and calligraphy workshops.

Visit the Shaftesbury Avenue martial arts and culture zone for some martial arts performance action, watch new British-Chinese music acts in the Charing Cross Road community zone.

There will be more activities and craft stalls in Chinatown and the celebrations will end in Trafalgar Square with a big pyrotechnic display.

(Becky Matthews)