How is Britain celebrating the Chinese New Year?

The year of the Dog is just around the corner and many of the UK’s towns and cities are preparing to celebrate with exhibitions of Chinese culture, performances, and Chinese food and drink.

Chinese New Year starts on Fri, Feb 16. Here is how some of the UK’s cities and towns will mark the big day.

London – The capital city will host what it claims are the largest Chinese New Year celebrations outside Asia. Events on Sun, Feb 18 will include a colorful parade that will snake its way from Charing Cross to Chinatown, and performances in Trafalgar Square. There will also be food and family zones in Leicester Square, and martial arts performances in Shaftesbury Avenue.

Liverpool – The city’s Chinatown will hold three days of celebrations from Feb 16 to Feb 18. Projections, music, and light will illuminate the city’s Chinese Arch, telling stories about the city’s long and rich Chinese history and culture.

Manchester – The annual dragon parade will be led by a 175-foot dragon. The parade ends in Chinatown, where there will be traditional lion dancing, martial arts displays, and food stalls.

Birmingham – The city is putting on its biggest Chinese New Year celebrations to date, double the size of previous years, in its Chinese Quarter. Festivities will include lion dances, funfair rides, street food, and a host of traditional Chinese entertainment.

Edinburgh – Scotland’s capital is holding a Chinese New Year concert that will bring a variety of performers to the city, including traditional musicians from China, and Western classical performers such as the Edinburgh Symphony Orchestra.

There will also be significant celebrations in Durham, Leeds, Glasgow, Newcastle, and the Isle of Wight as well as many other communities.