Welcome in the Chinese New Year in London

The major celebrations in Central London are the largest outside Asia.

Chinese New Year 2011, the Year of the Rabbit, falls on 3 February.

The main London Chinatown Chinese Association celebration takes place in Trafalgar Square, Leicester Square, and Chinatown.
Chinese New Year in Central London

For Chinese New Year 2010, Trafalgar Square hosted two groups from China performing world-class dance, music and acrobatics after an official opening ceremony. There were also firecrackers, Chinese dragons, lions and Chinese acrobatics.

Meanwhile, Chinatown was bustling with special decorations, stalls, food and lion dance displays. Shaftesbury Avenue became "Hong Kong in London Chinatown" with a stage featuring performances by local Chinese artists.

There was also a fireworks display in Leicester Square which closed the celebrations.

Many of London's Chinese restaurants mark Chinese New Year with special menus and events. Contact individual restaurants for details.

Check back for more up-to-date details of what will be on offer for Chinese New Year 2011 nearer the time.
About Chinese New Year
Chinese lanterns

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 and 2011 is the Year of the Rabbit.
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