Chinese New Year begins on Friday - here is a guide to where you can celebrate the year of the dog in London and Kent.

Trafalgar Square - February 18

Dragon and lion dances will kick things off in Charing Cross Road at 10am, making their way down to the streets of Chinatown.

At noon, Trafalgar Square’s main stages will spring into action with traditional dance shows, contemporary hip-hop acts and Chinese performers.

Food trucks will also be stationed there and restaurants in Chinatown will have special festive treats on their menus.

There will be a grand finale at 5.30pm with a special effects light show.

Greenwich Market - February 17 and 18

Make sure the kids get involved this year with drop-in origami workshops led by Wei Chen. Chen sells paper cut art from her Greenwich shop Papermoon and is opening it up to teach you how to make pretty Chinese lanterns or a cute paper dog. Once you are all folded out you can head to Greenwich Market food court for noodles and dim sum.

Orpington - February 18

Walnuts Shopping Centre in Orpington has paired with a Chinese Gateway community group to provide a great Chinese New Year celebration.

This will include a Chinese lion dancer from the Chinese Theatre in London, a Chinese choir and lots more.

A dog show will be hosted by Orpington Pet Supplies at the shopping centre for all the pampered pooches.

It will also be selling all the Chinese food you could want to keep you warm and happy.

The event will end with a fireworks display.

It will all take place in the Market Square of Walnuts Shopping Centre, from 1- 6pm on Sunday.

Bexleyheath - February 17

There will be lion dancers, a dog mascot, rickshaw rides, Chinese arts and crafts and fortune cookie giveaways.

Traditional food stall holders will be selling Chinese food including dim sum and noodles.

The celebrations will kick off at 10am in the Broadway and finish at 4pm.

Dartford - February 16

Get fortune cookies and free Chinese food when the new year is celebrated at the Soap Dartofrd night taking place at Air & Breathe. Entry is £4 before 11pm and £6 thereafter.

Have we missed any? Let us know.