The Chinese New Year is celebrated every year in London's Chinatown, which is located in Soho. As the Chinese calendar is based on lunar and solar movements, this festival takes place on a different date every year. The festival consists of numerous parades, which often snake their way through to Covent Garden. The celebrations give rise to a variety of food stalls in the area, serving Chinese cuisine, and visitors and tourists are always welcome to watch and participate. English is still the second language for many Chinese in London, so visitors should remember to wish them a happy New Year in their own language. In Cantonese it is Gueng Huei Fa Zuai, pronounced 'gwung-hway-fa-tzoo-eye'; and in Mandarin, it is Gong Xi Fa Cai, pronounced 'gong-she-fatsai'.

Venue: Chinatown, Trafalgar Square and Leicester Square

Date: 29 January 2012