The Leeds shopping centre hosted a jam-packed day of cultural activities, with six hours of entertainment from Qi Lin Dance and the Children and Adults Chinese Choir to mesmerising solo Zither performances.
Crowds were captivated by the York Chinese Community’s Dragon Dance and there were also performances from talented children at the Leeds Chinese Community School.
Chinese New Year has many long-standing traditions, with a main focus on removing the bad and the old to make way for a new year. The Year of the Dragon is associated with strength, positive transformation and challenges.
Here are 15 beautiful pictures from the celebrations in Leeds.
![Traditional Chinese dancing](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2024/02/10/17/38/NLYP-newyearSR%201%20YOR.jpg.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
![Lantern decorating](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2024/02/10/17/41/NLYP-newyearSR%2028%20YOR.jpg.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
![Leeds Chinese Community School dancers - Jing, Xiulan, Kayan and Yan](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2024/02/10/17/07/NLYP-newyearSR%2029%20YOR.jpg.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
3. Chinese New Year
Leeds Chinese Community School dancers - Jing, Xiulan, Kayan and Yan | Steve RidingPhoto: Steve Riding
![York Chinese Community’s Dragon Dance](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2024/02/10/17/22/NLYP-newyearSR%20222%20YOR.jpg.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
![Celebrations in the Merrion Centre](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2024/02/10/17/40/NLYP-newyearSR%20223%20YOR.jpg.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
![A large crowd watch traditional Chinese dancing](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2024/02/10/17/56/NLYP-newyearSR%20331%20YOR.jpg.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
6. Chinese New Year
A large crowd watch traditional Chinese dancing | Steve RidingPhoto: Steve Riding