SOUTHEND High Street will be filled with a carnival atmosphere tomorrow when Chinese New Year celebrations take place.

Southend BID has arranged a host of activities and stalls for the big event.

Among the entertainment lined up is ribbon dancers, Chinese musicians, martial artists and traditional lion dancers.

There will also be a wide range of Chinese cuisine on offer to let visitors immerse themselves in the spirit of the day.

Key attractions on offer in High Street tomorrow include:

  • Children’s Chinese crafts
  • Traditional paper folding workshop
  • Chinese street performers Lion and Dragon ceremony
  • Martial arts demonstrations

A Chinese New Year parade will also take place around 3.30pm, and will begin outside the Forum.

A number of schools, including King Edmunds, Darlinghurst, and Barling Magna will also be exhibiting their Chinese artwork at the event.

Southend BID Manager Ashley Oglina-Beecham said: “We are thrilled to have finally received City status, this is a huge achievement for Southend and is certainly long-awaited. Finding a way to celebrate our town becoming a city was therefore of the utmost importance to the entire Southend BID committee; thankfully, as Chinese New Year celebrates good fortune, happiness, tradition, and ultimately reminds us all of what’s most important, this felt like the perfect way to do so.

“Our Chinese New Year event will host an array of exciting and authentic Chinese offerings; from mouth-watering cuisine to unforgettable entertainment, we really will be hosting something for everyone.

“We are honoured to be helping our community better understand and celebrate Chinese New Year, an event that’s immersed in beautiful traditions and history.

“As we step into 2022, we feel this symbolises what our community values most and all that we can achieve.’