Monday, 19 February 2018

Chinese New Year


It was Chinese New Year this last week and on Sunday there were huge celebrations in London. I was there early before the crowds started to gather. The event is the biggest Chinese New Year celebration outside Asia with its martial art displays, music shows and cultural activities being held across the West End.
The dragons were getting ready for the big parade.













The open top buses were all ready for their guests.
The stage was set up in Trafalgar Square

















Lanterns and stalls surrounded the Square.






The streets in Chinatown were all decorated with red lanterns.








By 10am the streets were crowded and the parade began.

Chinese New Year parade
This is a photo from the BBC website giving you some idea of the crowds.


Fortunately, being there early,  I had a good view of the parade.











































































After the parade I had a look at Trafalgar Square but decided against fighting my way through the crowds.


I wonder if this dragon had decided to find another way home.

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25 comments:

  1. Anonymous19 February 2018 at 19:28

    I never think of London as having a large Chinese heritage population, so I am surprised it is the largest celebration outside of Asian cities. There is plenty of colour and if like here, plenty of noise.

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  2. Carol @Comfort Spring Station19 February 2018 at 19:46

    Great colorful parade - great shots!

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  3. Phil Slade19 February 2018 at 19:49

    Our Chinese friends bring so much fun, vibrancy and colour to the UK. Not to mention the food!

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  4. Hootin Anni19 February 2018 at 19:57

    Happy New Year!! Fun, colorful photos & narratives

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  5. Lydia C. Lee19 February 2018 at 20:06

    I love the Lunar New Year - it's HUGE in Sydney. Off to play Mah Jong in the city tonight....

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  6. Jeanna19 February 2018 at 20:39

    I almost forgot about that until my mum reminded me. I've been too busy celebrating other holidays and getting ready for St. Paddy's. That looks like a celebration you'd want to be part of, what fun. Nice job on the photos and I love all the dragon action shots.

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  7. Linda W.19 February 2018 at 20:56

    What fun! I love all the colorful dragons.

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  8. DJan19 February 2018 at 21:37

    You got some great photos showing the size and scope of the celebration. Happy New Year! :-)

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  9. Wendy19 February 2018 at 22:56

    Wow it looks busy but you got some great shots :)

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  10. Marcia20 February 2018 at 00:06

    Oh, how neat was that! I've never seen a Chinese New Year parade. We used to go every year with friends to the same Chinese restaurant and a martial arts studio would come in with dragons, but that's it. Never a parade. How's the new grand baby doing? Our youngest granddaughter will be 7 months this week. I had a good dose today which was a lovely time. I'll send you a photo of all three by separate email.

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  11. Cynthia20 February 2018 at 00:10

    So colorful and what fun to see. You were clever to get there early and get some photos while you could still see.

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  12. Al20 February 2018 at 00:47

    That looks so festive and fun. And a beautiful sunny day too!

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  13. Andrea20 February 2018 at 01:24

    OMG, the Chinese are colonizing the world! It is like that here too last Chinese New Year.

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  14. Gattina20 February 2018 at 06:08

    Wow what a big show it has become ! 20 years ago it was probably the half of it. I remember that I was very impressed, I had never seen such festivities !

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  15. Lady Fi20 February 2018 at 07:56

    How wonderfully festive!

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  16. biebkriebels20 February 2018 at 11:24

    That is quite an event!

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  17. Jill Harrison20 February 2018 at 12:49

    We enjoyed Chinese New Year when we were in Sydney last February, and am looking forward to the events on 5 March here.

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  18. Penelope Notes20 February 2018 at 14:54

    It's so wonderful to see people out and about enjoying something festive. How lovely and decorative the colorful dragons are stretching out so wondrously!

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  19. Author R. Mac Wheeler20 February 2018 at 16:08

    The color is marvelous

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  20. Tom20 February 2018 at 17:38

    ...we had a big celebration here on Maui too!

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  21. carol l mckenna20 February 2018 at 18:15

    Beautiful Chinese New Year shots in London ~ !

    I remember walking through Chinatown there !

    Happy Week to you,
    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  22. William Kendall20 February 2018 at 21:13

    Quite a party!

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  23. Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti22 February 2018 at 04:09

    Fabulous photos of the Chinese New Year celebration parade! What a colorful and fun event to attend. I did not know that the celebration in England was second only to China!

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  24. diane b22 February 2018 at 08:30

    You are brave joining the crowds. Your photos are great you sure got a good position.

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  25. Sallie (FullTime-Life)25 February 2018 at 21:24

    This is wonderful! I love examples like this of what it is like to live in a REAL City. I have such a split personality when it comes to where I'd live if I could be anywhere at all. (Wilderness or London ;>)) The tired dragon at the end made me laugh.

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