CHINESE NEW YEAR CELEBRATION IN LONDON *2025* *YEAR OF THE SNAKE* OPEN AIR STAGE SHOW

Location: Trafalgar Square, London, UK Date: 2 February, 2025 YEAR OF THE SNAKE About Celebrate of Year of the Snake in London, the biggest Chinese New Year celebrations outside Asia. Every year, hundreds of thousands of people descend on the West End to enjoy a colourful parade, free stage performances and traditional Chinese food, and to wish each other "Xin Nian Kuai Le" (Happy New Year in Mandarin) or "Sun Nin Faai Lok" (in Cantonese). When is Chinese New Year celebrated in London? Chinese New Year, also known as the Lunar New Year, always falls between late January and mid-February. In 2025, Chinese New Year falls on 29 January. Organized by: The 2025 Chinese New Year festival in central London, organised by the London Chinatown Chinese Association (LCCA), took place on 1 and 2 February. Where: The central London festivities are set to take place across the West End, from Shaftesbury Avenue down to Trafalgar Square. During Lunar New Year, London hosts the vibrant Chinese New Year parade, featuring colourful floats and the largest gathering of Chinese lions and dragons in Europe. The celebrations also included lively activities and foodie treats in Chinatown; family-friendly entertainment in Leicester Square; and while Trafalgar Square plays host to the main stage performances, more stages were also set on Dean Street and Shaftesbury Avenue. Below post from visitlondon.com published before the event that took place on Saturday and Sunday, 1st and 2nd February, 2025: Saturday, 1 February, 2025 Lion dance This year, the festivities are set to take place across two days, starting with the spectacular lion dance performances on the 1 February between 11am and 5pm. Head to Chinatown where you'll find performers dancing colourful lion costumes through the streets to mimic the movements of a lion. The traditional spectacle is said to bring good luck and drive away evil spirits. Sunday, 2nd February, 2025 Chinese New Year parade: Watch colourful floats and more than 50 teams take part in the vibrant Chinese New Year parade on 2 February between 10am and 11.45am. The parade in London welcomes the largest gathering of Chinese lions and dragons in Europe, starting on the east corner of Trafalgar Square before snaking its way along Charing Cross Road and around the streets of Chinatown. Trafalgar Square The fun in Trafalgar Square kicks off on 2 February at midday with speeches and the Lions' Eye-Dotting Ceremony. You can then experience traditional dragon and flying lion dances and fun-filled stage performances, usually including Chinese dance and music shows, martial arts displays, Chinese pop hits and an exciting lineup of artists from China. Explore the arts and crafts stalls and festive stands or get a taste of the Far East at street food stalls dotted around the square throughout the celebrations. You can also stop by the National Gallery, just off Trafalgar Square, throughout the day to enjoy family activities and see colourful costume displays. The finale gets underway with a variety of showstopper performances, which last year included a techno lion dance and spectacular pyrotechnic display, lighting up Trafalgar Square to mark the end of the festivities at 6pm. West End stages: The London Chinese New Year fun usually continues across the West End with special performances, workshops and activities. You can usually spot up-and-coming British-Chinese artists performing dance, music and comedy at the community stage and exhibition zone on Dean Street and Shaftesbury Avenue. This year is also set to feature a parade float exhibition. Or take the kids to the family and culture zone in Leicester Square for cultural activities and family-friendly entertainment. Chinatown: Head to Chinatown where you can get up close to more lion dances, find more festive stalls or sit down for a traditional Chinese New Year meal and festive treats in one of Chinatown’s restaurants. Info:visitlondon.com The animal of 2025 is the snake, which in the Chinese zodiac symbolises wisdom, intuition, and transformation. As the sixth animal in the 12-year cycle, it represents elegance and thoughtfulness.  Chinese New Year is celebrated by the Chinese diaspora in London's Chinatown district each year with a Lion Dance that attracts thousands of tourists and Londoners to the area in Soho.  Lion dancers visited shops and restaurants so bring them good luck for the New Year.