Chinese New Year is officially here.
Over the course of the next two weeks, millions of people all over the world will be eating, drinking, and generally being merry to celebrate China’s most important lunar festival.
London’s Chinese New Year celebrations began as a small community event in Chinatown more than 30 years ago, and have become the largest of their kind outside Asia, attracting hundreds of thousands of people to the capital each year to enjoy dances, concerts, martial art performances and traditional food, all in the heart of the city.
This weekend, large swathes of the West End will be transformed into a fiery display of red and gold lanterns and sweeping dragon puppets, as the city hosts its annual Chinese New Year parade.
Expect colourful floats, dragon dances and a bounty of street food. Good job it’s the year of the Pig.
When is the Chinese New Year parade?
This Sunday February 10, from 10am until approximately 11.45am. There'll also be other performances taking place in and around Chinatown and Trafalgar Square from 11am until 6pm.
Where in London is the parade?
Things kick off north of Trafalgar Square, before snaking around Shaftesbury Avenue, ending at the top of Rupert Street, as in the map below.
What will the Chinese New Year parade involve?
More than 50 teams will take part in the procession which will see a flurry of acrobats, musicians, dancers and hand-crafted floats whirl, jump and back-flip their way along the route. The floats have been gifted to London by the Republic of China itself, and the starring collection of decorative Chinese lions and dragons is the largest in Europe.
What’s the programme for the rest of the day?
A thanksgiving ceremony will begin at 11am in Trafalgar Square, followed by firecrackers, speeches and, at midday, a Lions’ Eye-Dotting Ceremony, where a willing participant dressed in a lion costume will be given paint-dotted eyes so that they can ‘see’.
From 12.50pm traditional dragon and flying lion dances will take off on the square’s main stage, before an afternoon of martial arts displays, workshops, and dance and music shows, including an electro pop trio from China.
The finale will get underway at 5.45pm with a variety of energetic performances, including a techno lion dance, light show and concluding firework display.
Is the event appropriate for children and families?
Yes. Performances are suitable for all ages, but families looking for entertainment geared specifically towards children should head to Leicester Square. Here, they will find family-friendly activities, including arts and crafts, calligraphy and dressing up opportunities. There will also be colourful costume displays at the National Gallery for visitors to enjoy throughout the day.
Will there be food and drink available?
Yes. There will be festive menus on offer in Chinatown’s main restaurants, and street food stalls will line Trafalgar Square to keep spectators happy.
What to wear for the festivities
Red is the colour of Chinese New Year, so try to incorporate it into your outfit and tradition says you’ll be granted good luck for the coming year.
Where to park for the parade
Guests are advised not to drive, but those who do can try their luck at the Q-Park in Chinatown, where there are also a limited number of accessible parking spaces.
How to get to Chinatown and Trafalgar Square
Predictably, town will be extremely busy during the celebrations so some Tube station entrances are likely to operate on a temporary entry-or-exit only basis due to the volume of visitors. Follow the official #CNYLondon hashtag and @TfL on Twitter for real-time updates. There are also planned Tube closures this weekend on the District, Circle, Hammersmith & City, Bakerloo and Overground lines, and a number of planned road closures. Be sure to check before you travel.
