Parades held across UK cities as Lunar New Year celebrations begin
Parties are being held to welcome in the Year of the Dragon
Celebrations are taking place across the country this weekend as we enter the Lunar New Year.
To mark the occasion, parades are being held in some of the UK's biggest cities as the Chinese community welcomes in the Year of the Dragon.
In London's iconic Chinatown, a huge parade including puppets and drums made its way through Shaftesbury Avenue to bring in the new lunar year.
As well as this, tradition Chinese rituals including lion dancing have been taking place across the capital as part of the commemorations.
Similarly, in Manchester, home of a large East Asian diaspora, celebrations have been in full swing, with a Dragon Parade to bring good luck to the city.
In Liverpool, hundreds of revellers descended on Albert Dock to mark the event, with a fire-breathing dragon display entertaining people throughout the weekend.
This year is the Year of the Dragon, following the Year of the Rabbit, which had run from January 22nd 2023 to February 9th. 2024.
Speaking to the Press Association, Beverley Lin from South London - said that the dragon holds a lot of meaning in Chinese culture.
"The dragon has always played a significant part in Chinese culture. It comes only once every 12 years, so it's important," she said.
Celebrations will continue throughout the month as the Chinese community marks the special occasion - with big events continuing to take place in London.
Local officials have also sent their best wishes to those marking the occasion, with the Mayor of the West Midlands, Andy Street said: "Pleasure to join the Chinese community and everybody celebrating, in Southside, for this year’s Lunar New Year, the year of the Dragon - a symbol of bravery, good luck & prosperity."
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