Find yourself a dragon mask and prepare for the fireworks: Chinese New Year is coming to London! The longest and most important festivity in the Chinese calendar takes place on Monday 23 January, and is sure to be celebrated with some verve in the capital.

The main celebrations take place in central London on Saturday 28 January. Trafalgar Square hosts the official festivities, with a range of activities planned throughout the day. Musical performances, dragon parades, acrobatics and firework displays will delight spectators both young and old, ensuring that the start of the Year of the Dragon is celebrated in style.

 

The fun continues in Soho and China Town, where intrigued onlookers will crowd the streets hoping for a glimpse of street performers. The traditional dragon processions are a particular highlight, winding through narrow streets all afternoon long.

For those looking for a more hands-on experience, the Museum of London Docklands is putting on a range of activities on 21-22 January. Children will be taught to make their own dragon masks, whilst parents might try their hand at painting Chinese watercolours. On 18 February, further China-themed events will also take place at the National Maritime Museum.