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.
![The dragon dance](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2024/02/10/17/09/NLYP-newyearSR%20343%20YOR.jpg.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
![A children's dance group performing for the large crowd](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2024/02/10/17/44/NLYP-newyearSR%20441%20YOR.jpg.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
8. Chinese New Year
A children's dance group performing for the large crowd | Steve RidingPhoto: Steve Riding
![Elena Lawler-Manning, 10, of Tadcaster](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2024/02/10/17/12/NLYP-newyearSR%203221%20YOR.jpg.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
9. Chinese New Year
Elena Lawler-Manning, 10, of Tadcaster | Steve RidingPhoto: Steve Riding
![Marcus Meng from the Leeds Chinese Community School](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2024/02/10/17/27/NLYP-newyearSR%2016%20YOR.jpg.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
10. Chinese New Year
Marcus Meng from the Leeds Chinese Community School | Steve RidingPhoto: Steve Riding
![The Merrion Centre hosted an afternoon of performances and activities](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2024/02/10/17/26/NLYP-newyearSR%202%20YOR.jpg.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
11. Chinese New Year
The Merrion Centre hosted an afternoon of performances and activities | Steve RidingPhoto: Steve Riding
![The celebrations welcome in the Year of the Dragon](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2024/02/10/17/43/NLYP-newyearSR%203%20YOR.jpg.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
12. Chinese New Year
The celebrations welcome in the Year of the Dragon | Steve RidingPhoto: Steve Riding