成人快手

Chinese New Year is the oldest Chinese festival and the most important celebration in the Chinese calendar.

Crowds enjoyed the entertainment

Despite the bad weather crowds gathered at the Civic Centre for the traditional New Year's ceremony on Sunday, 25 January.

The Mayor of Southampton, Councillor Brian Parnell,听 began the proceedings by performing the traditional ceremony of 'dim jing' - painting the eye of the dragon - a symbolic ritual to bring the dragon to life so that it can perform and bring good luck in the New Year.

The Waterside Dragon Dance Club performed their spectacular dragon, lion and unicorn dances - every twist and turn of these traditional dances is symbolic in bringing good luck in the new year.

Watching on the big screen

A big screen meant the crowd got to see the full detail of the ceremony and a great view of the dragon and lion dances.

The celebrations culminated with a 120-ft long dragon which led a parade through the city centre accompanied by drummers and percussionists.

The Chinese New Year is also known as the Lunar New Year or the Spring Festival in China.听 The festival normally lasts for around 15 days, starting on New Year's Day.