The biggest Chinese New Year event outside Asia will take place in London’s Chinatown
One of the city’s grandest cultural events, Year of the Snake festivities will include a colourful parade, lion and dragon dances, and traditional cuisine
What began in the 1970s as a small community celebration in the British capital’s Chinatown has steadily grown into a festival including a grand parade, live performances and food and drink, taking place across the West End, from Trafalgar Square to Shaftsbury Avenue.
“London is gearing up for one of its biggest annual events as we celebrate the Year of the Snake,” says Visit London managing director Rose Wangen-Jones. “We’re expecting hundreds of thousands of people to take part in the celebrations.
“Events like this are hugely significant, contributing to London’s economy each year.”
“It is a very special event for the Chinese community and a chance for us to have a good cultural exchange,” says a LCCA spokesman. “It is a chance to celebrate, a special day for gathering.”
Proceedings start with the grand parade of colourful floats and dancers made up of more than 50 teams. Beginning at the northeastern corner of Trafalgar Square at 10am, it will head north along Charing Cross Road, turning into Shaftsbury Avenue and ending at the top of Wardour Street, in Chinatown, at around 11.45am.
