Chinese New Year in London in 2024: what you need to know
Chinese New Year is another great opportunity for Londoners to have fun and be part of a festive parade. Although it's less popular in the UK than in China, many residents celebrate the transition from winter to spring according to the lunar calendar and respect the legends associated with the holiday.
In 2024, Chinese New Year falls on February 10. MyLondon has gathered information that may be of interest to residents of the capital.
When and where to celebrate?
Traditionally, the most fun events take place the next day. That is, on February 11, Sunday, London will be decorated with Chinese symbols and filled with city residents having fun on the street.
The parade will start from Duncannon Street and reach Rupert Street. The crowd will go through the West End.
"Stages will be set up in Trafalgar Square where performances will take place, and stalls will be located on Gerrard Place and Newport Court in Chinatown. The parade starts at 10 am with floats and dragon dances," Londoners were informed.
What you need to know
This year, according to the Chinese calendar, the animal of the year is the dragon. Most Brits have known this since the days of the Gregorian calendar New Year's celebration, but it is actually believed that the new animal replaces the previous year's on Chinese New Year's Day, not January 1.
Every year, the celebration falls on a new day because the lunar calendar does not repeat itself. It can be any date between January 21 and February 21.
On this day, the Chinese and all those who celebrate with them rejoice at the end of winter and the onset of spring, launch fireworks, dress in red clothes and decorate their homes, and give money to their friends.
In China, this day is considered a national holiday and is declared a day off, and for the British, Chinese New Year is another day to have fun.