London activities feature Chinese culture

Hundreds of thousands of people in the United Kingdom will experience some of the biggest Chinese New Year celebrations outside Asia in early February, at an event that will feature dragon and lion dances, stage performances, parades, traditional Chinese food and a wide range of fun activities.

The actual date of Chinese New Year, or Spring Festival, varies from year to year because it is dictated by the lunar calendar. Each year of the Chinese calendar is represented by one of the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac. This year marks the Year of Pig, and Lunar New Year falls on Feb 5.

The celebrations in London will take place on Feb 10 throughout the downtown area. Most of the stage performances are set for Trafalgar Square, most foodie treats can be found in Chinatown, family-friendly entertainment will be based in Leicester Square, and additional stages will be set up on Shaftesbury Avenue and Charing Cross Road.