Event: Chinese New Year 2010 – Year of the Tiger
Date: Sunday 21 February 2010
Time: 12 to 6pm
Venue: Central London (Trafalgar Square, Leicester Square, Chinatown)

FREE EVENT All welcome

The capital’s Chinese New Year celebrations are set to transform central London on Sunday 21 February 2010. Visitors to Trafalgar Square, Leicester Square and London Chinatown will be able to welcome in the Year of the Tiger in spectacular style – with Chinese arts and entertainment from international and home-grown artists, and food, firecrackers and fireworks.

In Trafalgar Square, two groups from China (Sichuan Art Troupe and Central Ethnic Song and Dance Ensemble) will perform world-class dance, music and acrobatics after an official opening ceremony. There will also be firecrackers, Chinese dragons, lions and Chinese acrobatics.

Meanwhile, in a specially decorated Chinatown there will be cultural stalls, food and lion dance displays. Shaftesbury Avenue will become “Hong Kong in London Chinatown” with a stage featuring performances by local Chinese artists.

A colourful fireworks display in Leicester Square will close the celebrations.

The London Chinatown Chinese Association organises the capital’s Chinese New Year celebrations with support from the Mayor of London, Westminster City Council, Metropolitan Police, Chinese Embassy, Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office, Hong Kong Tourism Board, Cathay Pacific, Tsingtao Beer (official beer sponsor), Bank of China, Bank of East Asia, ICBC Bank, Tiger Beer, Lebara Mobile, Shaftesbury plc, and others.

Mr Leslie Ng, President of the London Chinatown Chinese Association, said: “Hundreds of thousands of people enjoy London’s Chinese New Year celebrations, which have become a real highlight in the capital‟s calendar of events. It‟s an opportunity to celebrate and experience Chinese culture, and to see what Chinatown offers – not just during Chinese New Year, but all year round.”

The Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: “I am delighted to give my backing to London’s Chinese New Year celebrations. Not only is it the largest outside Asia, it is undoubtedly one of the brightest, most colourful events to be seen in the capital. In 2010 it marks the start of the Year of the Tiger and we should take inspiration from some of the attributes of that fine creature. Looking forward to the end of the downturn, let’s respond to future challenges with energy, assertiveness and courage.”

People planning to attend London’s Chinese New Year celebrations are encouraged to plan their journey and use public transport. For more information and advice about planning your journey, visit www.tfl.gov.uk or call the London Travel Information Centre on 020 7222 1234.

Public information about Chinese New Year is available at www.chinatownchinese.co.uk – or www.londonchinatown.org (from 12 February 2010).