Summary

  • London is bursting into colour as crowds join the city's Chinese New Year parade

  • The annual parade through central London is thought to be the biggest community Lunar New Year celebration outside Asia

  • Lunar New Year is marked not only by Chinese people, but also by many others, including Vietnamese, South Korean and Thai communities

  • This year is the Year of the Horse, which began on 17 February

  • But in the parade, you will spot all sorts of animals, including dragons, fish, dogs and pandas

Live Reporting

Edited by Tinshui Yeung, with James Tillotson and Nicky Schiller reporting from the parade

  1. The parade is over, but the Lunar New Year has only just begun

    James Tillotson
    Reporting from the parade

    Women perform a fan dance in central London to celebrate Lunar New YearBBC/James Tillotson

    And that’s a wrap from us here on the ground in Chinatown.

    Before we leave, we’re treated to a special final performance of Ansai waist drum dancing and Yanchuan Yangge, a traditional Chinese folk dance.

    Luckily for those at the parade today, the gloomy weather cleared before the festivities got into full swing.

    We’ve seen crowds turn out in force to celebrate the start of the Year of the Fire Horse in style.

    A group of dancers perform with drums, surrounding by a crowd of spectatorsBBC/James Tillotson

  2. Flags, fish and fervour flood the festival - in photos

    James Tillotson
    Reporting from the parade

    It’s deafening here in Chinatown, central London, as floats go past with thundering drums.

    And if you’re wondering about the fish in the pictures, it’s because in Chinese, the word for fish sounds similar to the word for surplus - which is seen as a good thing.

    To follow along, you can tap Watch Live at the top of this page.

    Crowd of people gathered in central london, surrounded by traditional flags and puppets to celebrate Lunar New YearBBC/JAMES TILLOTSON
    Crowd of people gathered in central london, surrounded by traditional flags and puppets to celebrate Lunar New YearBBC/JAMES TILLOTSON
    Crowd of people gathered in central london, surrounded by traditional flags and puppets to celebrate Lunar New YearBBC/JAMES TILLOTSON

  3. Lunar New Year celebrated by many communities

    Today's parade is a Chinese celebration of the Lunar New Year, but the festival is also marked in other communities, including Vietnamese, South Korean and Thai.

    You can watch the video to find out more.

    Watch: Which countries celebrate Lunar New Year?

  4. Our first dragon is welcomed

    Nicky Schiller
    Reporting from the parade

    A dragon puppet is paraded through a crowd in central LondonBBC/NICKY SCHILLER

    We've just seen our first dragon at the start of the parade!

  5. In pictures: Celebrations at Chinese New Year parade

    As our reporter has said, crowds have now gathered in central London and Chinese New Year celebrations have started.

    Here are a few photos taken not long ago.

    Remember, you can watch live to follow along at the top of this page.

    Woman in traditional dress dances among crowd gathered in London to celebrate Chinese New YearGetty Images
    Person in traditional clothing and head piece at Chinese New Year parade in LondonGetty Images
    Girl in traditional dress poses at Chinese New Year paradeGetty Images

  6. Crowds begin to gather

    Nicky Schiller
    Reporting from the parade

    Crowds gathering near Cambridge Circus

    I'm at Cambridge Circus on the route of the parade and the crowds are starting to gather.

    Young children are pressed up to the barrier, hoping to get a good view of the floats and dragons.

  7. Watch our live coverage of London's Chinese New Year Parade

    Charlotte Simpson
    BBC News

    Three women in traditional dress smile as they have their photo taken during Chinese New Year celebrationsGetty Images

    Welcome to our coverage of London's Chinese New Year Parade.

    Central London is set to burst into colour as crowds are expected to descend on Chinatown for what’s believed to be the biggest community Lunar New Year celebration outside Asia.

    From handcrafted floats dripping in red and gold to spectacular dragon and lion dance troupes weaving through the streets to chase away bad luck, our presenters Charlotte Gallagher and William Lee Adams will guide you through it all.

    As we bid farewell to the Year of the Wood Snake and welcome the Year of the Fire Horse, we’ll be joined by special guests from today’s parade in London - and from around the world - to help answer your questions:

    Where is Lunar New Year celebrated? What might the Year of the Fire Horse bring? Why do lion dancers "eat" lettuces and red envelopes?

    All will be revealed soon. Follow along by tapping the watch live button from 10:00 GMT.