2004 (Year of the Monkey) Chinese New Year celebrations in London

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Chinese New Year Celebrations in Soho

The Chinese New Year starts in January or February. An animal is used to represent each year: 2004 was the year of the monkey.
For photos of this year's celebrations, see: Ideas/Album/ChineseNewYear.

2004: THE YEAR OF THE MONKEY

For the 2004 celebrations, there were signs all around showing that this was the Year of the Monkey.

CHINA TOWN

The streets just north of Leicester Square and east of Shaftesbury Avenue are known as London's Chinatown (part of the area called Soho). Many Chinese businesses and restaurants are located here. Lots of street stalls open for the Chinese New Year celebrations. Hundreds of red lanterns are hung up.

"London China Town"

Gerrard Street lion

China town mural

One of the three Chinese arches in Soho

Food stalls line the roads

TREE-PLANTING CEREMONY

In 2004 there was a tree-planting ceremony in Soho. The Lord Mayor of Westminster, the President of the China Town Association, and the Chinese Ambassador took part.

TRAFALGAR SQUARE

A stage is set up each year in Trafalgar Square. After a series of short speeches, there are cultural performances throughout the afternoon.

Nelson's Column ... Chinese style

National Gallery ... Chinese style

Thanksgiving ceremony

Chinese Ambassador speaks

The Mayor of London

Dragon dance

Martial art demonstration

Singing

Boy drummer

Goldfish

Children's Fun Parade

LEICESTER SQUARE

Firecrackers and fireworks are let off in the centre of Leicester Square

Firecrackers

A boy covers his ears ...

... as the skies burst into life

CHINESE CUSTOMS

Many Chinese customs can be seen in the streets of Soho.

Wind wheels

Chinese horoscopes

The Money God

Money gifts are given in red envelopes

LIONS

Through the day and into the evening, lions visit each of the Chinese restaurants in the area, to the sound of drums and cymbals. The lion is given a cabbage or similar vegetable to eat. The lion's visit brings good luck and prosperity to the shop over the following year.

AND FINALLY ...

Happy New Year!

LINKS

Photos of this year's Chinese New Year celebrations: Ideas/Album/ChineseNewYear
Chinese New Year in 2008 (Year of the Rat): Ideas/Album/ChineseNewYear2008
Chinese New Year in 2007 (Year of the Pig): Ideas/Album/ChineseNewYear2007
Chinese New Year in 2006 (Year of the Dog): Ideas/Album/ChineseNewYear2006
Chinese New Year in 2005 (Year of the Rooster): Ideas/Album/ChineseNewYear2005

What's on in the UK in February: Ideas/Events/February
Useful links for Chinese people coming to the UK: Links/China
Cheap international phone calls from the UK: Life/Telephone/International
Introduction to this website, in Chinese: Introduction/Chinese
Photos from other annual events: Ideas/Album

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