Mayor of Westminster launches Chinese Lunar Year celebrations

Mayor Rigby with dancers

Source: Westminster City Council

The Lord Mayor of Westminster, Cllr Robert Rigby, was invited to initiate celebrations at the event in Newport Place in the heart of London's Chinatown.

Dancing, music played on the traditional GuZheng stringed instrument, calligraphy and food were all on offer as hundreds braved heavy rain to throng the streets around Newport Place and Gerrard Street in an afternoon of celebrations organised by the Chinese Information and Advice Centre

The Lord Mayor of Westminster, who is Catholic, said: "Millions of visitors are drawn to London's Chinatown every year - it is a vibrant part of the City and one of our oldest and most established communities.

"What better place to kick off the Lunar New Year celebrations with a 'Year of the Snake' party in Newport Place. Lots of local people braved the rain to enjoy traditional music, dance, try their hand at calligraphy and of course sample that famous food.

"I believe 2025 is particularly well starred for wealth for those born in the Year of the Snake - I hope Chinatown and Westminster's residents wherever they live get to enjoy some of that snake affluence!"