City Rooms

Chinese New Year is tomorrow, and the festivities have already begun! We’re welcoming in the ‘Year of the Rat’ at this huge celebration all across London. Join the largest celebrations of Chinese New Year outside of Asia, with an almost overwhelming amount of colour, traditional dancing lions, live music, and a ton of dragons too. The start of Chinese New Year is Saturday the 25th but the main London events will be happening on Sunday the 26th. So you still have time to plan out your day! Every year hundreds of thousands of people head down to the West End to enjoy the parade, music, acrobatics, and activities. Chinatown and Trafalgar Square will have a lot going on too! There’s also a lot of traditional chinese food obviously! Make sure to wish each other "Xin Nian Kuai Le" (Happy New Year in Mandarin) or  "San Nin Faai Lok" (in Cantonese) aswell! Starting with the incredible Chinese New Year Parade, which starts as soon as 10am hits. Starting at Charing Cross...

It may only be April, but it’s about time we get a well deserved four day weekend. Considering they come round only once a year, the weather would tell me that now’s the perfect time for it. This year Easter Sunday falls on the 21st of April, there’s lots more fun to be had though, as from Good Friday to Easter Monday London always pulls out all the stops when it comes to Easter! Not just for the children over the half term, but for the adults who have no idea how to spend their time off! Being one of the only socially acceptable times of the year to eat way too much chocolate, we thought you may want to get out of the house at least once. So we’ve put together a few events and places to go for when you’ve decided you can’t eat a single bit more of that Easter egg. Starting off with Good Friday, and an annual tradition in Trafalgar Square. The passion of Jesus, is an incredible open air performance by the Wintershall Players. Completely free to attend, just turn up, it tells the s...

Easter weekend is upon us and what does it mean? Four days off, with loads of events happening in London! You'll be able to eat chocolate buns (and there's no need to feel guilty) and attend to many activities which will take place in the city! Have a look at this as your guide to the perfect mini break in London! Feast of St George in Trafalgar Square. St George's Day will be celebrated again this year in Trafalgar Square , on Monday 21 April from noon to 6pm. St George is the patron saint of England, and his name is commonly associated with the legend of the dragon. The event is organised by the Mayor of London, inspired by St George's Day's 13th century origins as a national day of feasting. The day follow a traditional English feasting, with live music and entertainers. There'll be a farmer's market with lot of stalls selling homemade food such a cakes, pies and freshly lemonade. It is a perfect chance to savour some of the tasty delights that ...

CHINESE NEW YEAR 2014 A bit of history... According to tales and legends, the beginning of Chinese New Years started with the fight against a mythical beast called the "Year". The "Year" looks like ox with lion head and it stays in the sea. At the night of New Year's Eve, the "Year" will come out to harm people, animals, and proprieties. Later people found that the "Year" is afraid of red color, fire, and loud sound. Therefore, for self protection, people form the habit of posting red Dui Lian in front of the house, launching fireworks, and handing lantern at year end. Traditions... Dinner The New Year's Eve dinner is the most important dinner for Chinese. Normally this is the family reunion dinner, especially for those with family member away from home. In the New Year's Eve dinner, normally fish will be served. Dumplings are the most important dish in northern china. These two dishes mean prosperous. Other dishes...