UK embracing Year of the Snake celebrations

Tens of thousands of people are expected to join in a festival on Feb 2 organized by the LCCA that will include a parade of floats, performances on a stage in Trafalgar Square, and stalls offering food in London's Chinatown.

To add to the joy in the capital, 50 London buses will carry posters emblazoned with "Hello China" and an image of a zodiac snake as they pass landmarks, including Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly, and St Paul's Cathedral, offering seasonal greetings to the people of both countries.

Camden Market will have a Spring Festival event for the first time on Feb 1 that will offer performances from Chinese acrobatics, magic shows, folk dancing, and a boat parade. The celebration will combine Chinese culture and the features of the neighborhood to offer visitors a special experience, according to Abdul Hai, director of community relations at Labs Group.

Outside London, festivities will roll out in places including Bristol, Edinburgh, and the island of Jersey.

Karen Garvey, program officer at Bristol Museum, said Spring Festival is a highlight of the museum's calendar.

"It has now grown into not just the biggest event of the museum, but the biggest event of its kind in southwest England," Garvey said in an online comment.

The museum has prepared a packed program of colorful events, including martial arts demonstrations, lion dances, craft activities, and opportunities for visitors to learn about snakes and about Chinese heritage and culture.