HUNDREDS of people enjoyed learning everything from dragon dancing to Kung Fu at the second of five Chinese New Year celebrations in Southampton.

The event, which has been made a reality thanks to a £10,000 grant from the Big Lottery Fund, was held in Guildhall Square on Saturday.

Although the new year falls on January 28, five events were organised across five weekends by the Chinese Association of Southampton who wanted to ensure no one missed the celebration if they happened to be busy the weekend of the new year.

The first was held last Saturday and the next will be held in Westquay Shopping Centre on Sunday between 11am and 5pm.

Further events will be held on February 4 between 11am and 4pm, at The Spark, Southampton Solent University and on February 11 from 11am until 4pm at Southampton Guildhall Square.

Traditionally in China, the new year festivities are celebrated for 16 days – this year marks the year of the rooster, the tenth animal of the Chinese zodiac.

It is believed anyone born in the year of the rooster, which comes around every 12 years, will have a unlucky 2017. This includes people born in 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993 and 2005.

Andy Lai, the Chinese Association of Southampton’s vice chairman, said the day went extremely well.

He added people enjoyed themselves practicing the dragon dance, bollywood dancing and Kung Fu.

Andy said they were lucky enough to have a visit from members of the UK Shaolin Temple who did a demonstration of traditional Chinese Kung Fu too.

“We had someone dress up as a panda and dance with people. We had workshops and games as well as entertainment from Unity 101 - the radio station and a performance from Denyzen – a band from the local area,” he said.

“All in all we achieved the objective and celebrated the Chinese new year together with the citizens of Southampton. “We also provided opportunities for young people to take part, to perform and to enjoy the event.

“We can’t say thank-you enough to the Big Lottery Fund.

“We are very proud of the event - we have not seen any other small organisations with the energy and support to put on five events in five weekends.”

Next week Southampton visitors have been told to look forward to six hours of performances from organisations including the Chinese Association, Chinese Art Southampton, the Confucius Institute and Nottingham’s Cantonese Opera. There will also be a lion dance and a Kung Fu display.

Andy thanked all the Southampton businesses who supported and sponsored the event.

l A CHINESE cultural day will be held at Portswood Church next week.

The church is hosting the event on Saturday, January 28, in celebration of the Chinese New Year.

The festivities will start at 2pm and will include Chinese music, dance and refreshments.

Admission to the event is free and everybody is welcome.