Chinese New Year 2018 celebrated in London this weekend

Thousands of people descended on London this weekend to celebrate Chinese New Year.

Extravagant parades, striking costumes and enormous dragons could be seen as the capital came out in force to mark the arrival of the Year of the Dog.

The celebration attracts some 700,000 people every year, making it the biggest event outside Asia.

Festivities were underway in Chinatown as a jaw-dropping parade made its way through the city.

After snaking from Charing Cross Road to Shaftesbury Avenue, stage performances were held in Trafalgar Square followed by a dazzling light show for the grand finale.

Here is what Londoners did to mark the very special occasion…

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Mayor of London Sadiq Khan spoke to crowds on Sunday after the annual extravaganza kicked off on Friday. He tweeted to his followers later in the day to pay tribute to ‘the huge contribution London’s Chinese community make to the life and soul of our great city’

Beautifully adorned flags were carried through London during the  celebration. Some members of the procession held delicately crafted dragon and carp heads suspended on poles. In Chinese mythology, carp are believed to be able to transform into dragons. One woman (centre) can be seen wearing a blue figure-hugging traditional Chinese dress known as a cheongsam, while another festival-goer (right) keeps the cold away with a pair of fluffy white ear muffs

Beautifully adorned flags were carried through London during the celebration. Some members of the procession held delicately crafted dragon and carp heads suspended on poles. In Chinese mythology, carp are believed to be able to transform into dragons. One woman (centre) can be seen wearing a blue figure-hugging traditional Chinese dress known as a cheongsam, while another festival-goer (right) keeps the cold away with a pair of fluffy white ear muffs

Spectators watched in awe and took photos as scores of people worked together to maneuver an enormous dragon through Chinatown. The iconic animal is commonly depicted as having the tail of a fish, the scales of a carp, the neck of a snake, the belly of a clam, the head of a camel, the claws of an eagle, the paws of a tiger, the ears of a cow, the eyes of a demon, the beard of a goat and the horns of a stag

Spectators watched in awe and took photos as scores of people worked together to maneuver an enormous dragon through Chinatown. The iconic animal is commonly depicted as having the tail of a fish, the scales of a carp, the neck of a snake, the belly of a clam, the head of a camel, the claws of an eagle, the paws of a tiger, the ears of a cow, the eyes of a demon, the beard of a goat and the horns of a stag

Londoners could be seen wearing dragon masks over their heads with holes where the mouth is so they could see where they were going. One boy (right) carried a colourful miniature version of the dragon with stark golden horns

Londoners could be seen wearing dragon masks over their heads with holes where the mouth is so they could see where they were going. One boy (right) carried a colourful miniature version of the dragon with stark golden horns

This youngster was spotted peering out from underneath his dragon costume, which had a red and yellow tongue of fire poking from the mouth

This youngster was spotted peering out from underneath his dragon costume, which had a red and yellow tongue of fire poking from the mouth

Performers carried flowers and wore stunning blue fans as headdresses during the hugely popular annual festivities

Performers carried flowers and wore stunning blue fans as headdresses during the hugely popular annual festivities

Two women were captured looking thrilled to be out the capital to mark the arrival of the Year of the Dog

Two women were captured looking thrilled to be out the capital to mark the arrival of the Year of the Dog

This impressive float also made its way through Chinatown while thousands of people lined the streets to watch the impressive display. The occasion attracts some 700,000 people every year

This impressive float also made its way through Chinatown while thousands of people lined the streets to watch the impressive display. The occasion attracts some 700,000 people every year

Pleased to meet you! This little girl looked thrilled to meet the dragon as it stopped to say hello by the roadside in Chinatown

Pleased to meet you! This little girl looked thrilled to meet the dragon as it stopped to say hello by the roadside in Chinatown

This red and gold dragon was carried through the capital by members of the extravagant procession on Sunday as people turned out in vast numbers to cheer them on

This red and gold dragon was carried through the capital by members of the extravagant procession on Sunday as people turned out in vast numbers to cheer them on

This immaculately crafted dragon also made its way through London's Chinatown district. Its ferocious flared nostrils, piercing eyes and slithering tongue cut a striking spectacle

This immaculately crafted dragon also made its way through London’s Chinatown district. Its ferocious flared nostrils, piercing eyes and slithering tongue cut a striking spectacle

Actors dressed up in adorable panda bear costumes - complete with cut-out eyes - for the annual parade, entertaining crowds by the roadside

Actors dressed up in adorable panda bear costumes – complete with cut-out eyes – for the annual parade, entertaining crowds by the roadside

And New York didn't disappoint as they took to the streets to celebrate the yearly festival. Residents can be seen throwing multicoloured confetti in a Chinatown neighbourhood in Manhattan

And New York didn’t disappoint as they took to the streets to celebrate the yearly festival. Residents can be seen throwing multicoloured confetti in a Chinatown neighbourhood in Manhattan

One woman can be seen pouring a tube of confetti into the crisp air as children run around in the background during the celebration

One woman can be seen pouring a tube of confetti into the crisp air as children run around in the background during the celebration

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau took part in a prayer ceremony to mark Chinese New Year at the Fo Guang Shan Temple in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, on February 15

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau took part in a prayer ceremony to mark Chinese New Year at the Fo Guang Shan Temple in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, on February 15

And in Melbourne, Australia, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull took a selfie with Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews (wearing black suit, centre) are seen during the Chinese New Year Festival on Sunday

And in Melbourne, Australia, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull took a selfie with Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews (wearing black suit, centre) are seen during the Chinese New Year Festival on Sunday



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