London celebrated the Year of the Dragon on Sunday to a packed Trafalgar Square and Chinatown. Last year, around 300,000 people joined in the celebrations and this year seemed even bigger.
Celebrations began with a New Year’s Parade from the West End to Trafalgar Square. After the speeches and official opening ceremony, firecrackers resounded around Trafalgar Square, before an utterly amazing display of acrobatic skill as the lion performed a high pole dance.
The dragon dance is traditionally performed to bring an auspicious start to the New Year and this was beautifully done by a skilful team of 10 dancers.
There were more lion dance displays, stalls and food in Chinatown. Roads including Shaftesbury Avenue and Charing Cross Road were closed off to traffic; despite the crowds (and the cold!), it was wonderful to wander and soak up the atmosphere.
“Kung Hei Fat Choi” and a very happy, healthy and prosperous Year of the Dragon.
Travelling to Europe by train can be a wonderfully relaxing way to get to your holiday destination. As a general rule, the best time to plan and book train fares is when they are released, normally 4 months in advance for Eurostar trains and 3 months in advance for trains within Europe.
