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The Year of the Snake arrived with plenty of bangs as Newcastle welcomed Chinese New Year in style. The parade kicked off Grey's monument, before snaking through the city centre up
Blackett Street, Gallowgate, and onto Stowell Street - the heart of one of just five Chinatowns in the UK. Children waved paper dragons and the sound of drums filled the air as the parade
began, which ChronicleLive reporter Sophie Doughty described as "spectacular". Scores of people turned out to watch the traditional lion and dragon dances, which form the
centrepiece of the city's Lunar New Year celebrations. There were also performances of traditional dance and music, with crowds clapping and cheering "Happy New Year".
Newcastle's local Chinese community arranges the celebrations along with Newcastle City Council and NE1 Ltd, the business improvement district company. Yvonne Ng, a member of the
Chinese Festivities Group which organises the event, said: "Lunar New Year is a hugely important festival in the Chinese calendar and we are delighted that Newcastle embraces the
traditions and supports the festivities." _ TAKE A LOOK AT OUR PHOTOS FROM THE CELEBRATIONS BELOW. YOU CAN ALSO LOOK BACK AT OUR COVERAGE OF THE CHINESE NEW YEAR FESTIVITIES WITH OUR
LIVE BLOG. _
