Chinese New Year is celebrated every year across the world for 15 consecutive days, with the final 15th day culminating in a Chinese lantern parade.
Based on the lunar and solar calendars, the actual date of the Chinese New Year always falls between the end of January and the middle of February. In 2011 the Chinese New Year falls on 3rd February with the largest celebrations outside of Asia being held in London on 6th February.
To celebrate Chinese New Year people clean their homes, riding it of any ill-fortune from the previous year, then decorate everything in red. Red is an important colour in Chinese culture, said to bring good luck and happiness to the Chinese.
The Lantern Festival marks the end of the New Year season under the full moon, and afterwards life becomes a daily routine once again. The lantern festival is another reason for families to get together, after Christmas, and celebrate.
Traditionally all paper lanterns are hand-made and illuminated with something similar to floralytes, then families parade through their towns and villages together. Competitions are held amongst villagers to see who can create the most beautifully decorated Chinese paper lantern and often a paper lantern theme is designated to each village or town – red Chinese hanging lanterns are always the most popular!
London’s Chinese New Year celebration is always a popular event, with festivities held in Trafalgar Square, Leicester Square, on Shaftesbury Avenue, and of course in China Town. Shops and homes will be adorned with Chinese paper lanterns of all shapes and sizes. The biggest displays of red hanging lanterns will be at the gated entrance to China Town, whilst the streets of London’s China Town will see lines and lines of illuminated paper hanging lanterns litter the sky.
Hundreds of thousands of people gather to watch firework displays, dragon dancers, and join in with the London lantern parades. London’s mayor, Boris Johnson, is hoping that the celebrations to welcome the Chinese New Year of the Rabbit will be the biggest yet!