The Chinese New Year is celebrated every year in London’s Chinatown, which is located in Soho. As the Chinese calendar is based on lunar and solar movements, this festival takes place on a different date every year. The festival consists of numerous parades, which often snake their way through to Covent Garden. The celebrations give rise to a variety of food stalls in the area, serving Chinese cuisine, and visitors and tourists are always welcome to watch and participate. English is still the second language for many Chinese in London, so visitors should remember to wish them a happy New Year in their own language. In Cantonese it is Gueng Huei Fa Zuai, pronounced gwung-hway-fa-tzoo-eye and in Mandarin it is Gong Xi Fa Cai, pronounced gong-she-fatsai. In 2009 begins the Year of the Ox.
Region/City Name:
London
Event Date:
February 3, 2011
Venue:
Chinatown, Trafalgar Square and Leicester Square
Event Time:
11am
Date Text:
3 February 2011
