February 10 2013 marks the Chinese New Year and a day of celebrations to herald the beginning of the Year of the Snake. Festivities begin with a parade of colourful floats from Trafalgar Square to Rupert Street at 10am, followed by the Dotting of the Eye ceremony in Trafalgar Square at noon and then an afternoon of entertainment with more than a hundred performances in Trafalgar Square featuring music, dance, Chinese dragons, lions and acrobatics, from 1-5.30pm. Highlights include a performance by Hong Kong-born singer-songwriter Emmy the Great, the Chen Brothers Flying Lion Dance and 'Britain's Got Talent' winner Paul Potts. The show culminates in a fireworks display at 5.55pm. Chinatown will be filled with cultural and food stalls and displays all day.
For a round-up of Chinese New Year Events and recommended Chinatown restaurants, see www.timeout.com/chinese-new-year