Gunwharf Quays to welcome parade for Chinese New Year

A DANCING lion, drummers and a Chinese dragon will be part of a parade through a shopping complex.
Gunwharf Quays hosts Chinese New Year celebrationsGunwharf Quays hosts Chinese New Year celebrations
Gunwharf Quays hosts Chinese New Year celebrations

Gunwharf Quays, in Portsmouth, is preparing for a Chinese New Year celebration this weekend, marking the year of the dog.

On Saturday afternoon shoppers will be entertained by performers, people performing martial arts and drummers from the UK Shaolin Temple with a parade through the main square.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Visitors should also look out for red envelopes that will be distributed throughout Gunwharf Quays on February 17.

They will contain offers and discounts for a range of stores including Coach, Osprey, Karl Lagerfeld, Karen Millen, Paul Smith and Links of London.

The idea for the red envelopes comes from the traditional and longstanding Chinese New Year tradition of Hongbao, where a red envelope containing a gift is handed out to loved ones for the new year.

Colin Wilding, general manager at Gunwharf Quays, said: ‘We are very excited to be bringing in the Year of the Dog with colourful celebrations for all to enjoy.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

‘The additional offers on our already discounted brands make it all the more reason to come together and celebrate Chinese New Year with us.’

Families should visit the shopping centre in the afternoon to see the parade through the square.

Last year hundreds of people packed out the area to watch the parade, with some stopping while doing their shopping and others going to Gunwharf just to watch the parade.

Many clapped along to the drummers during the show.

Yvonne Clay is senior marketing manager.

She added: ‘We are passionate about bringing the community together and this spectacular celebration of Chinese culture promises to be an unforgettable experience for the whole family.

‘The vibrant mix of music, dance and Kung Fu is guaranteed to keep our guests entertained.’

For more information visit gunwharf-quays.com/chinese-new-year-2018.