Chinese New Year 2010

Sunday 21 February, 12 to 6pm

Tigers, by Ma Yun (detail)
Artist: Ma Yun

On Sunday 21 February 2010 central London will be transformed so visitors to Trafalgar Square, Leicester Square, Shaftesbury Avenue and London Chinatown can welcome in the Year of the Tiger in spectacular style – with Chinese arts and entertainment from international and home-grown artists, and food, firecrackers and fireworks.

In Trafalgar Square, two groups from China will perform world-class dance, music and acrobatics after an official opening ceremony. There will also be firecrackers, Chinese dragons, lions and Chinese acrobatics.

Meanwhile, in a specially decorated Chinatown there will be cultural stalls, food and lion dance displays. Shaftesbury Avenue will become ‘Hong Kong in London Chinatown’ with a stage featuring performances by local Chinese artists.

A colourful fireworks display in Leicester Square will close the celebrations.

The London Chinatown Chinese Association organises the capital’s Chinese New Year celebrations with support from the Mayor of London, Westminster City Council, Chinese Embassy, Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office, Hong Kong Tourism Board, Cathay Pacific, Tsingtao Beer, Bank of East Asia, Shaftesbury plc, and others.

Mr Leslie Ng, President of the London Chinatown Chinese Association, said: “Hundreds of thousands of people enjoy London’s Chinese New Year celebrations, which have become a real highlight in the capital’s calendar of events. It’s an opportunity to celebrate and experience Chinese culture, and to see what Chinatown offers – not just during Chinese New Year, but all year round.”

People planning to attend London’s Chinese New Year celebrations are encouraged to plan their journey and use public transport. For more information and advice about planning your journey, visit TfL's Journeyplanner or call the London Travel Information Centre on 020 7222 1234.

Traditional Chinese Calligraphy and Painting Exhibition

City Hall, 2nd - 19th February, Monday - Friday, 8.30am - 6pm

The exhibition features more than 30 artworks created by artists who work in the traditional Chinese painting and calligraphic styles, and features landscapes, figures, and scenes from the natural world. The exhibition is jointly arranged by Beijing Municipal Institute of Culture and History (BMICH) and Beijing People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (BPAFFC).

Plum Blossom of Early Spring’ by Chen Dazhang
Artist : Chen Dazhang

Information about Chinese New Year is available at www.chinatownchinese.co.uk. For details of other events in London for Chinese New Year see www.visitlondon.com/china.

Find out more about Chinese New Year