Huge crowds gather to celebrate Chinese New Year

Hundreds of people gathered at the heart of Birmingham's city centre over the weekend to celebrate Chinese New Year.

The Bullring shopping centre and Grand Central were full of shoppers celebrating alongside the Chinese community to mark the Year of the Pig.

Yesterday (Sunday 10 February) saw more New Year celebrations held in Birmingham's Chinatown district.

The annual three-day festival began on Friday 8 February with colourful parades across the city.

The performances involved vibrant costumes, dancing dragons and acrobats.

Crowds gathered in the Bullring to watch the dragon parade. Credit: ITV Central

What does the Year of the Pig mean?

  • In Chinese astrology, each year belongs to a Chinese zodiac animal. For 2019, it's The Year of the Pig.

  • This is your Chinese zodiac animal if you are born in 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007.

  • In the Chinese culture, pigs are a sign of wealth.

  • The Year of the Pig also marks a year full of good health.