Look ahead to Chinese New Year

Celebrated on the first day of the Chinese lunar calendar, Chinese New Year will begin on the 16^th of February and will start a celebration of the Year of the Dog. Wear red and jade for luck, and join in with one of these colourful celebrations taking place across Britain.

Taste Chinese delicacies in London, England

Head over to the capital and take part in London's Chinese New Year celebrations which are free to attend. Join in the colourful Chinese parade that dances its way through the West End before heading over to Trafalgar Square where you can see stage performances, dance troupes, acrobats, dragon and flying lion dances, opera and martial art acts. The Chinese New Year ends with a grand finale of fireworks and a spectacular show. Make sure to stop by at Chinatown where you can sample traditional delicacies at an abundance of restaurants and pop-up food stands.

When? 18 February 2018

Getting there: Taking place in London, the celebrations can be easily reached via the London Underground. Chinatown is closest to Leicester Square station.

Mark the end of Chinese New Year in Durham, north-east England

Join Durham University Oriental Museum for their unique late night opening to mark the end of Chinese New Year and the Lunar New Year Lantern Festival. For one night only, visitors can see the museum lit by lanterns, enjoy traditional craft, and listen to stories. Even better, the event is free for children under two, and just £2 for all other visitors, and the first 100 children receive a free lantern.

When? 24 February 2018, 18:00 to 20:00

Getting there: The Oriental Museum is a five-minute drive from Durham city centre. Durham is in the north of England and roughly three hours by car from London.

Celebrate Chinese New Year in Manchester, north England

Manchester has one of the oldest and largest Chinese communities in the UK, with a fabulous corner of the city dedicated to Chinese culture and food. The city has prepared a number of celebrations for 2018 that will be culminated on Sunday 18 February with the stunning dragon parade, accompanied by traditional lion dancing, martial arts displays, food stalls, a funfair with over 20 rides on Charlotte Street, and a huge fireworks display at 6pm.

When? 18 February 2018

Getting there: Manchester is in the north-west of England, and is a two-hour train journey from London.

If Chinese New Year seems so far away head to the Festival of Light, Wiltshire, south-west England

If you just can't wait for Chinese New Year, get a taste of the spectacular lights that are yet to come across the country at Longleat's Festival of Light. Expect a modern take on the Asian tradition as stunning Chinese lanterns will light up Longleat and bring to life the magic of storytelling. Drawing inspiration from classic tales, visitors will be transported into a world of fantasy - a land where mermaids swim, princesses live, firebirds fly and dragons roar!

When? 5 November 2017 - 7 January 2018

Getting there: Located in Wiltshire, Longleat Safari Park is in south-west England and is less than three hours by car from London.

Getting there: Cardiff is in Wales, and is a two-hour train journey from London.

Find the Spirit of the Orient on the Isle of Wight, south England

Celebrate the Chinese New Year with a fusion of sound, vibrant colours and illuminations at electric woods, Spirit of the Orient. Electric Woods is held at Robin Hill Country Park just outside of Newport on the Isle of Wight. You can expect plenty of ambient entertainment, interactive lantern parades and traditional lion dancing.

This festival is also a contemporary take on Chinese cuisine in the woodlands, including deliciously tempting hot meals and tasty snacks. There is a bar too for those looking for a winter warming beverage or tipple.

When? 10 February 2018 - 25 February 2018

Getting there: The Isle of Wight is an island off the south-coast of England. It is a three and a half hour journey by car and ferry from London.

Enjoy the sounds of the Chinese New Year concert, Edinburgh

Head to Edinburgh and explore an exciting programme of 2018 Edinburgh Official Chinese New Year Concert. The event will bring a variety of performances: the heartstrings of Guzheng, flute virtuoso, Edinburgh Symphony Orchestra and a number of western classical and traditional Chinese musicians from China, including the winner of Riccardo Zamboni 2010, Tenor Han Peng, Chen Yehui and Scottish Chinese Musician Daniel Shao.

When? 22 February 2018, 7:30-10pm

Getting there: Edinburgh is a 70-minute flight or 4 hours 30 minutes by train from London.