5 cities draped in red and gold for the Lunar New Year
Celebrate the Year of the Dragon with traditional Chinese celebrations.
February 10, 2024
Lunar New Year celebrations are a huge part of East Asian culture with countries including China, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Philippines, and Indonesia all getting geared up for the festivities next month. This year marks the start of the Year of the Dragon, with the New Year marked on 10th February and those in China will get a weeklong holiday to celebrate with friends and family, lucky! The full festivities conclude on 24th February with the Lantern Festival marking the end of the New Year celebrations. Traditional celebrations include use of the lucky colour red and gold decorations throughout towns and cities, huge firework displays, tons of traditional food dishes, parades and performances of the eye-catching lion dance, and the handing over of red enveloped to younger members of the family containing money, sounds great right? So where can you join in on the celebrations here in the UK? We’ve got you:
London
The English capital’s Chinatown is a hub for amazing Asian food and the huge parade all the way from Charing Cross Road to Shaftesbury Avenue is a spectacle worth heading into the city for. Trafalgar Square will be abuzz with performances of tradition lion dance, yummy food stalls, and plenty of activities to get involved in.
Manchester
Manchester has the largest Chinese population outside London, so you know this city is prepared for a 175ft dragon dancing through its streets. Grab a bite to eat at one of Chinatown’s restaurants but be warned some will close for the holiday or will be extra busy, make sure to book in advance.
Edinburgh
Hogmanay move over, it’s all about the Lunar New Year! Edinburgh love a party and Princes Street in the Mound precinct is where it’s at. Marvel at the parade, food, and performances on show and get involved in Chinese culture in the heart of the city.
Liverpool
Great George Square comes alive with dance, music, and dragons this February. Watch as the buildings in Chinatown are lit up in red and a parade dances through the streets. Liverpool’s claim to having the oldest Chinese community in the UK is very much on show here.
Birmingham
Birmingham’s two-day event puts the city on the map. The Bullring and Grand Central comes alive with music and lion dance, washed in red and gold, on Lunar New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Parades, performances, food stalls and maybe even a firework to two will put on a festival not to be missed.
