Chinese New Year Celebrations in London
The weekend is here and it’s Chinese New Year. The Chinese Year of the Sheep started on Thursday, 19th February. The sheep is known in Chinese legend for its gentleness, kindness and warmth.
London’s Chinese New Year’s celebrations are the biggest in the world, outside China. This weekend, Chinatown will be fully decorated with dragons, music and dancing. The festivities will be in full swing with a New Year’s Parade thorough the West End, ending in Chinatown.
A few months ago, we visited Chinatown during Chinese Moon Festival and little man really liked learning more about their culture and the meaning of the festival. I must confess I don’t know much about Chinese New Year, so I checked London Chinatown Chinese Association website for details. I found out that Chinese New Year has been celebrated for many centuries and it is based on myths and traditions.
Traditionally, Chinese families gather together on New Year’s eve and they thoroughly cleanse their house before New Year’s Day, so any ill-fortune can be swept away, making way for good incoming luck. In case you are feeling lucky, you could visit one of the Bingo halls in the area and try your luck. Who knows, the Year of the Sheep could be your lucky year.
In London, the main activities will be on Sunday 22nd February, but there will be an opening ceremony on Saturday 21st February. You will also find a variety of stage performances, including acrobats, gravity-defying lion dance on high poles and traditional Chinese dances.
Schedule of events for this Sunday:
- 10am: Parade begins North of Trafalgar Square, ending on Shaftesbury Avenue
- 12-1pm: Dragon and Lion Dance performance on the Trafalgar Square Stage
- 13:30: Cultures of China – Festival of Spring performance on Trafalgar Square Stage
- 15:30: Red Poppy Ladies Percussions Group performance on Trafalgar Square Stage
- 12-5pm: Lions Dances throughout Chinatown
- 5pm-6pm: Finale on Trafalgar Square Stag
Chinatown in London will be the centre of the Chinese New Year celebrations, but if you can’t make it, you can join the festivities from home. It is the perfect excuse to enjoy some delicious Chinese food, whether you are making it yourself, having a takeaway or going to a restaurant.
I love the fact that most supermarkets started having their own range of Chinese meals. They are convenient and perfect to be enjoyed at the comfort at your own home once the kids are in bed.
I was sent a couple of meals from Asda’s new range of Chinese ready meals to celebrate Chinese New Year, and you can get the same crispy prawn crackers, delicious spring rolls, tasty egg fried rice and other yummy Chinese favourites. They are delicious!
How are you celebrating Chinese New Year? What is your favourite Chinese dish?
