Chinese New Year is always great fun, and this year's events promise to be as good as usual. So what's going on in Durham?
The Chinese New Year animal sign for 2019 is the Year of the Pig. With dancing, costumes, good food and family activities, Chinese New Year is always something not to miss. Here's what's happening in 2019.
Although Chinese New Year is on Tuesday February 5 2019, Chinese New Year events will happen at the weekend, on Saturday February 9. Shincliffe Primary School will start the festivities at 10.30am at Durham Town Hall, before traditional Chinese dance, music and singing until 3.30pm.
You can see Chinese New Year Durham 2019 pictures in our gallery
Other schools will also put on activities throughout the Chinese New Year festival, including Langley Moor Primary School (11.30am), Neville's Cross Primary School (12.45pm), Bearpark Primary School (1.30pm), Confucius classroom Durham Johnston School (2.15pm), St Margaret's Primary School (2.30pm), and Framwellgate Primary School (3.15pm).
Durham Clayport Library just off Millennium Square will also be taking part, with 20-minute Chinese language taster sessions at 11am, 12pm, 1pm and 2pm. As well as the language taster sessions, Clayport Library will also have Chinese language storytelling sessions at 11.30pm and 1.30pm.
Durham Town Hall will also play host to some of Durham's Chinese New Year festivities, with items for sale and activities such as a Chinese tea art show, Chinese horoscopes, and craft activities for the family.
Not to be left out, Durham Oriental Museum will be hosting Chinese craft activities between 1-3pm, making Chinese lanterns and paper cuts. The event is suitable for children aged five to 11 years old, and the usual museum charges apply, which are adults £1.50, over 60s and children (five and over) 75p, family tickets (two adults and three children) £3.50.
Lion dancers will perform in Millennium Place at 12.30pm, where Durham Mayor Councillor John Lethbridge will catch a lettuce thrown by the lion - a sign of good luck. The lion dancers will then move on to Prince Bishops Shopping Centre, Elvet Bridge, Framwellgate Bridge, Market Place and Walkergate Leisure. However, times have not been advertised for these other locations so you'll have to try your luck catching them at each venue.
The events are being supported by Durham County Council, Durham BID, Durham University, Durham Chinese School and Durham Markets.