Chinese New Year 2012
On January 29th the Chinese welcome in their new year with a huge celebration in Trafalgar Square for Chinese New Year 2012.
This new year will be the year of the Dragon and a huge precession will take place in Chinatown and Shaftesbury Avenue and around Trafalgar Square.
The event, by tradition takes places on the first Sunday after the official start to the New Year.
Everything kicks off at around 10.15 am with colourful floats and general celebratory activity down Rupert Street.
At 12 midday, Boris Johnson and Chinatown president Stanley Tse commence the Dotting of the Eye ceremony, which will begin an afternoon of performances including music, dance, Chinese dragons, lions and acrobatics, cultural food stalls and displays. A fireworks display ends the day at 5.40pm.
The area gets totally rammed because it’s a great celebration so if you don’t intend to partake we would advise you to avoid central London on that day.
However if you do then keep your loved ones close and don’t be worried about all the firecrackers going off around the place. They’ll just get you into the spirit of things!
