Chinese New Year 2012: Guide to London's Year of the Dragon Celebrations

January 29 2012 will see the main celebrations in London for Chinese New Year 2012, with firework displays and parades set to entertain the crowds.

London's celebration is one of the largest outside of Asia thanks, to the historic community based around the 'Chinatown' in the West End, and you will not want to miss out on the festivities for the Year of the Dragon.

Chinese New Year is the biggest day of the Chinese calendar and this year is set to be the biggest one yet. So take look at the International Business Times UK's brief guide for where to go to enjoy the celebrations.

Chinese New Year 2012: Sunday 29 January

10: 15am: A huge parade is set to kick-off at Rupert Street in Westminster, featuring all the mystical dragons, acrobats and firecrackers you would expect to see during one of these dazzling displays. The nearest tube station to Rupert Street is Piccadilly Circus Tube Station.

11.30am: Parade finishes on Rupert Street.

12 noon - 17:40pm: Official opening ceremony take place on Main Stage in Trafalgar Square. Mayor of London Boris Johnson and Chinatown president Stanley Tse commence the Dotting of the Eye ceremony that will kickstart the celebrations with a pulsating display of music, dance, Chinese dragons and acrobatics.

There will also more than 100 performers - including the Chen Brothers, Shanghai Song and Dance Troupe and National Music Orchestra of Jilin Province - performing throughout the afternoon, plus food stalls and displays where you can indulge yourselves in the finest Chinese culture.

12pm - 6pm: Alongside Trafalgar Square, a second stage on Shaftesbury Avenue will host performances from a range of local community groups and schools.

17:40pm: The celebrations will culminate in a fantastic fireworks display, sure to dazzle and amaze you and your family and friends.

On top of the celebrations put together by the Chinatown Chinese Association, many restaurants in the city will have special Chinese New Year menus and activities.

While Chinatown near Soho is a good place to start, there are plenty more Chinese restaurants to be found across London.

Admission to all events is free.