Chinese New Year Parade: London celebrates the Year of the Rooster

Time to close the blog

Well it’s been an eventful day for Londoners who joined in the Chinese New Year celebrations.

We have seen footage of the traditional dragon dancers in Trafalgar Square, views of the crowds watching the parade and of course the hustle and bustle in Chinatown.

Despite downpours thousands of people have turned up and embrace the traditions of the Chinese culture.

I leave you with this footage:

Thank you for joining us today and to everyone who is still celebrating we wish you a safe journey home.

This is all part of a New Year tradition

Looks like the dancers go into each shop as part of their ceremony in Chinatown.

Ming who owns Easy Health explained the dancers come into each shop to give owners luck for the new year.

Here's what's happening in Chinatown

Hundreds more people are gathered in the streets of Chinatown embracing the traditional Chinese new year celebrations.

Downpours have not stopped people from heading out to enjoy all things Chinese.

Live traditional lion and dragon dancers as well as a wealth of authentic cuisine is on offer to people here.

Here is some footage from Chinatown:

http://Looks like they go into each shop as part of their ceremony and celebration here in Chinatown

Video from Trafalgar Square

Hear from our reporter Amita Joshi who has been enjoying the celebrations today in central London

Fireworks

We’ve just heard there will be a fireworks display at around 5pm in central London as part of the celebrations!

Watch this amazing footage of the dragon dance as thousands enjoy the spectacular entertainment to welcome the Year of the Rooster.

getwestlondon reporter Amita Joshi has been watching from Trafalgar Square.

Footage from the parade

Here’s what you’re missing out on if you’re not in London for the Chinese New Year parade!

Actor Matthew Bancroft who is currently starring in the production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at Palace Theatre posted this on Twitter a few minutes ago.

More photos

People are having a good time enjoying the acrobats and colourful costumes of the Chinese celebrations!

Find out your Chinese Zodiac sign

Use our online calculator tool to find out which Chinese zodiac sign you are

http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/news/west-london-news/chinese-new-year-find-out-12516768

Some great photos here

Here is a collage of photos as the Chinese New Year celebrations are under way in central London!

Despite the cold and rain forecast people have embraced the event once again in London.

Safety message from London Fire Brigade if you're celebrating

London Fire Brigade is urging people to take extra care when celebrating Chinese New Year in the capital this weekend.

Candles, lanterns and fireworks are traditional ways of celebrating Chinese New Year but new figures revealed that 283 fires were caused by candles in 2016 and as a result three people died.

Mark Hazelton, the Brigade’s group manager for community safety, said: We don’t want to dampen the New Year spirit but we would like to urge people to take care when using candles and lanterns.

“We are reminding people to never leave candles or lanterns unattended and not to place them too close to flammable items and materials.”

Photo of the crowds

Crowds as they gathered for the parade.

Thanks to Jade James Nightingale for the pic.

Where can you celebrate Chinese New Year

Find out where you can join in Chinese New Year celebrations across London

As well as the parade there’s some celebrations elsewhere in west London

http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/chinese-new-year-can-you-12515493

Welcome!

Welcome to our blog as the Chinese New Year parade in London kicks off.

We will be here throughout the day to bring you photos, videos and all the fun from the event from Trafalgar Square through to events in Chinatown!

Here’s one to get the blog started!