It's almost Chinese New Year, and although the official Year of the Monkey begins on Monday February 8, London's Chinatown will be holding its celebrations on the Sunday after (February 14), including a colourful parade.

Around 250,000 people are expected to attend celebrations and parade around Chinatown and Trafalgar Square, so this annual event is not one to miss out on.

Don't forget the key phrase: In Cantonese, it's Kung Hei Fat Choi and in Mandarin it's Gong Xi Fa Cai (pronounced Gong See Far Tsi), both meaning "Happy New Year".

What to expect

The Chinese New Year parade begins at 10.15am and takes a route from Trafalgar Square, through the West End before reaching Chinatown.

At 1pm, dance performances will take place at the Trafalgar Square stage and be followed by other live performance acts throughout the day. The performances will finish at 5.20pm with a fireworks display.

There will also be craft stalls and food stands open during the day, as well as a family area at Charing Cross Road with opera performance from the Chinese Young Cultural Ambassadors and martial arts displays.

Official activities and entertainment in Chinatown finish at 6pm, but the area's restaurants, bars and nightclubs are bound to keep the party going until the early hours!

Road closures

In central London there will be road closures over the whole weekend (Saturday February 13 and Sunday February 14). TfL's advice is to avoid driving in the affected areas, using public transport, walking or cycling instead.

Saturday February 13, 11.30am to 6pm

Road closures:

  • Wardour Street (between Shaftesbury Avenue and Coventry Street)
  • Macclesfield Street
  • Dansey Place
  • Gerrard Place
  • Gerrard Street
  • Newport Place
  • Little Newport Street
  • Lisle Street
  • Leicester Street
  • Leicester Place

Sunday February 14, 7am to 8pm

Road closures:

  • Pall Mall East
  • Duncannon Street
  • Dean Street (between Shaftesbury Avenue and Old Compton Street)

Sunday February 14, 9am to 8pm

Road closures:

  • Hyde Park Corner slip road (eastbound on to Piccadilly)
  • Hyde Park Corner underpass (eastbound from the junction with Knightsbridge)
  • Trafalgar Square (east side)
  • Charing Cross Road both directions from St Martin's Place to Shaftesbury Avenue
  • Charing Cross Road southbound from Denmark Street to Shaftesbury Avenue
  • Shaftesbury Avenue between Charing Cross Road and Piccadilly Circus and westbound from St Giles High Street to Cambridge Circus
  • No westbound access to High Holborn at the Kingsway Junction
  • All roads within the Chinatown area will also be closed to traffic

Public transport

Tube: Tube and rail will be the best way to get around central London on the day although stations around the event area may be busier than usual. Affected stations include: Charing Cross, Leicester Square, Piccadilly Circus and Covent Garden. There will be no service on the entire Circle Line for the day due to planned works.

Bus: Bus routes around Chinatown will be diverted or terminated earlier than usual between 7am and 8pm on Sunday February 14. The following routes will be affected: 1, 8, 9, 14, 19, 22, 24, 25, 29, 38, 98, 139, 171, 176, 242 and C2.

Find out which Chinese zodiac star sign you are ahead of Chinese New Year!