London's Chinese New Year celebrations are the largest outside Asia. Every year, hundreds of thousands of people descend on the West End to wish each other "Kung Hei Fat Choi" (or Happy New Year). Chinese New Year 2013, the Year of the Snake, falls on 10 February.
The Chinese New Year festivities begin in the morning with a parade through the West End to Trafalgar Square where there's an opening celebration with stage performances and special guests. A second stage on Shaftesbury Avenue hosts performances from local community groups and schools. Over the years the stage has seen fashion shows, plays and even Chinese hip-hop artists.
Chinatown is at the centre of the New Year party. Food and craft stalls line the streets and a lion dance snakes through the crowds, stopping at restaurants to wish the owners good luck for the coming year.
Chinese New Year Schedule
10am: The parade will begin in Trafalgar Square and the colourful floats and beating of drums can be followed through Chinatown ending in Rupert Street at 11am12pm: On the main stage in Trafalgar Square, the Deputy Mayor for Education and Culture, Munira Mirza, His Excellence Liu Xiao Ming and Stanley Tse, President of Chinatown, will commence the Dotting of the Eye ceremony, which will bring the dragons and lions to life
1pm-5.30pm: Live entertainment on stage including performances by Hong Kong-born singer-songwriter Emmy the Great, the world-renowned Chen Brothers Flying Lion Dance, Paul Potts and performers from Guangdong and Sichuan Provinces
5.55pm: A stunning fireworks display will mark the end of the day's celebrations
Chinese New Year is a huge festival among Chinese communities in London and across the world.Based on the lunar and solar calendars, the actual date of Chinese New Year varies, but always falls between late January and mid February. Each year in the Chinese calendar is represented by one of the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac.
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