The Year of the Pig: Chinese New Year in London

Marking the turn of the Lunar Calendar, Chinese New Year has been celebrated for centuries in China, and has since spread worldwide. It is sometimes also known as the Spring Festival, or Lunar New Year. This year, Chinese New Year falls on the 5th February and enters the year of the pig.

The main festivities of Chinese New Year in London will take place in London’s Chinatown, the West End and Trafalgar Square on the 10th February.

There will be a parade passing through the streets, and at Trafalgar Square you will be able to see all-day entertainment with stage performances mainly here, but also dotted around the West End.

What is Chinese New Year?

Chinese New Year is a traditional celebrate which gives people the chance to remember ancestors and pay tributes to the gods. On the eve of Chinese New Year, families tend to gather for dinner, and children often receive red packets with money for good luck.

On the build up to Chinese New Year households would traditionally clean their house to ward off any bad luck from the current year in the next, and openings such as doors and windows are given red paper decorations to bring good fortune, happiness, wealth and longevity.