Chinese New Year facts are good to know if you plan to attend the celebration in London.
Thousands of people attend the Chinese New Year festivities in London; it has become a very popular holiday for everyone, not just those of Chinese heritage.
Chinese New Year begins on the first day of the first month in the Chinese calendar, which on the Western calendar falls somewhere in January or February.
In China and other Asian countries, the festival goes on for two weeks.
London’s Chinese New Year events do not go on quite that long, but there are certainly many things to see and do.
Chinese New Year starts with a parade through the city featuring Lion Dancers and a traditional Chinese Dragon.
Singers, dancers, and other performers will take part in this procession.
Trafalgar Square and Leicester Square will be the site of more musical and dance performances, both traditional and modern.
Chinese acrobats will be performing fantastic feats, as well.
Shaftsbury Avenue will be transformed into “Hong Kong in London Chinatown” with stalls offering Chinese food, cultural items, and a stage with performances by local Chinese artists.
Be aware that firecrackers are an important part of Chinese New Year celebrations, and the sound of hundreds of them going off at once can be quite deafening!
A grand fireworks display in the evening at Leicester Square caps off the exciting day of festivities.
Many Chinese restaurants throughout London offer dinner specials during Chinese New Year.
These can range from set price banquets to special menu offerings of traditional delicacies.
There are also a variety of cultural exhibits and activities being offered by some of London’s museums that tie in with the Chinese New Year theme.
The Museum in Docklands, which is close to the original London Chinatown in Limehouse, has a program featuring traditional Chinese arts and crafts, storytelling, and lion dances geared towards children and families.
Chinese New Year facts can help you make the most of what London has to offer.
Visiting Chinese New Year Celebrations
Trafalgar Square, Central London, Westminster, WC2N 5DS
21st February 2010
Telephone: 020 7851 6686
Opening Times
12 noon-6pm
Ticket Prices
FREE
Photo courtesy: Paolo Camera
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