Photos of the Chinese New Year parade in London
My husband’s family is originally from Hong Kong so it is important to us to make sure our son keeps his Chinese heritage alive. And my son is also a Londoner so that was a double reason to go to London’s Chinese New Year Parade this year as a family. This is a bit different from the family and children photography I usually share on my blog but I also love documenting my beautiful city and its vibrant energy.
This makes a great event to watch as a family if you are on vacation in London at the beginning of the year, for example.
At first, I was happily surprised to see a rather calm and organised crowd waiting for the parade to begin. We managed to find a decent spot on the side of the road. When the parade started, the lions/dragons were the most impressive, especially with their heads swiftly moving above ours.
There was a good mix of traditional Chinese floats, dancing or music schools and entertainment for the children (including grown-up people dressed as all the animals of the Chinese Zodiac!).
When it was over, we decided to go for a walk in Chinatown to soak up the festive atmosphere.
It was lovely to see all the lanterns everywhere. Gerrard street was particularly busy. We bought some lucky snaps - mini fire crackers you throw on the floor - and my husband showed our son how to use them as he used to play with them as a kid. Embracing the traditions...
We headed towards our usual cake shop called... The Golden Cake Shop for some lovely buns. They’re very popular in our house!
Walking back to the station we couldn’t help but look at the window of a shop selling fish-shaped waffle coned ice cream. Of course, my boy begged for one and I just had to say yes. It was a festive day after all... So I queued in this very busy and popular shop, watching the staff making those cute fish waffle filled with Nutella and bubble waffles.
They had a happy customer eating his ice cream all the way to the tube station.
We loved being part of this big cultural Chinese event in our city. As our son grows older, I really want to do more of these because there’s a bit of everything and everywhere in our beautiful capital city.
Marion & You Photography is a lphotographer in South East London specialising in family, newborn, baby and maternity photography.
Marion specialises in London family photography, South East London family photography (Beckenham, Crystal Palace, Bromley, Dulwich, Forest Hill, Herne Hill, Greenwich), North London family photography, East London family photography, South West London family photography, Kent family photography as well as areas in and around London. My style is natural and relaxed. Ask me questions or book your own family photoshoot here.