Chinese New Year 2019 – Year of the Pig

Come and welcome the Year of the Pig as London celebrates Chinese New Year 2019.

The Chinese New Year parade starts at 10am on Sunday 10th February, beginning with colourful parade floats and dragon dances on Charing Cross Road. Between 12pm and 6pm in Chinatown London you’ll find lion dancing, craft stalls, a full range of Chinese zodiac animals and plenty of places to stop off for a Chinese New Year dim sum feast.

The fun in Trafalgar Square often begins with screen shows and a thanksgiving ceremony, followed by firecrackers, speeches and the Lions’ Eye-Dotting Ceremony.

Experience traditional dragon and flying lion dances, ahead of fun-filled stage performances including Chinese dance and music shows, acrobatics, Chinese rock hits, interactive dance sessions and an exciting line-up of artists from China.

If you’re feeling peckish, experience a taste of the Far East with street food dishes from the stalls lining the square throughout the celebrations.

The finale gets underway with a variety of showstopper performances and a spectacular pyrotechnic display, which lights up Trafalgar Square to mark the end of the Year of the Pig festivities.

The London Chinese New Year fun continues across the West End with special performances, workshops and activities.

Spot up-and-coming British-Chinese artists and Chinese Spectrum radio on stage at the talent and community zone at Charing Cross Road.

Take the kids to the family and children's zone in Leicester Square for cultural activities and family-friendly entertainment.

See thrilling martial art performances, including tai chi chuan and taekwondo, in the martial arts and cultural zone at Shaftesbury Avenue.

Head to Chinatown, where you’ll be able to get up close to lion dances and take selfies with Chinese zodiac animals. And sit down for a traditional Chinese New Year meal and festive treats in one of Chinatown’s restaurants.

Chinese New Year dates are determined by the luni-solar Chinese calendar, which means the date changes every year. This year Chinese New Year falls on 5th February but will be celebrated on Sunday 10th February.