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See all Chinese New Year events

All kinds of Chinese culture floods into the capital in early February under the umbrella of China in London 2008, a two-month festival of Chinese arts and culture now in its third year. Centred around the New Year celebrations on Sunday February 10, here's what's happening.

The season kicks off with the Chinese lantern lighting ceremony in Oxford Circus on Wednesday February 6. On Saturday February 9 the British Museum will host a series of events, and on the Sunday the New Year celebrations proper will be centred around Trafalgar Square from 12noon to 6pm, with musicians, dragon dances and parades which start in the Strand at 11am. Other museums hosting Chinese New Year events include the Natural History Museum, V&A and the National Maritime Museum. Feature continues

From Monday 11 to Saturday 16 February both Beijing Dance Drama & Opera House Company and the Beijing Modern Dance Company will be performing across the capital, including in Trafalgar Square, Stratford Circus, and at the British Museum and the Royal Opera House.

From Sunday 10 to Thursday 14 February there will be free Chinese Opera workshops for kids courtesy of the Asian Music Centre. And Monday 21 and Tuesday 22 February the Chinese Arts Festival will see China’s highest profile rap group Dragon Tongue Squad performing in collaboration with British Chinese scratch-artist DJ Phat and flamenco guitarist Suki Mok.

Full details of the China in London festival

Further reading
China in London special
From arts and culture to clothes and cuisine, the world's fastest growing economy is infiltrating every aspect of London life.

London's best Chinese restaurants
The finest Chinese food the capital has to offer, from duck to dim sum and beyond.

London's best Chinese food shops
The best places in London to buy the necessary ingredients and cookware for a Chinese meal worthy of an emperor.

The First Emperor: China's Terracotta Army exhibition
Objects from the tomb of Qin Shihuangdi, the First Emperor of the Qin Dynasty, including a dozen complete terracotta warrior figures.

London's original Chinatown
From the 1880s to the 1930s London's Chinatown was by the docks, in Limehouse, E14. Time Out goes to look for traces of this lost community.

Time Out Beijing
One of the newest members of the Time Out global family of magazines and websites.