Chester will celebrate the Chinese New Year of the Monkey on Saturday, February 13 with traditional music, lion and dragon dancing, firecrackers and cultural characters.

The God of Prosperity, The Emperor of Heaven and The Happy Buddha will take to the city streets on Saturday morning in an event delivered by the Wah Lei Chinese Association supported by the council.

Anthony Lee, of the association said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Cheshire West and Chester Council to produce the colourful festival event in Chester to celebrate the Chinese New Year of the Monkey.

“Please join our many community volunteers who have worked hard to organise and perform in this year’s cultural celebrations.”

View a gallery of photographs from the 2015 celebrations:

The Chinese New Year is the longest and most important celebration in the Chinese zodiac calendar and follows a 12-year cycle. People born in the year of the red fire monkey are often said to be smart, clever and intelligent, especially in their career and wealth. They are lively, flexible, quick-witted and versatile.

Chinese legend states that The Emperor of Heaven asked all the animals to meet him on New Year’s Day and named a year after each of the twelve animals that came.

Cabinet member for culture, leisure and wellbeing Louise Gittins said: “I would like to wish everyone a very happy year of the Monkey. Please join us in Eastgate Street and Bridge Street for the annual celebrations including the spectacular firecracker finale.”

The Wah Lei Chinese Association is also supported by Cheshire, Halton and Warrington Race Equality Centre, the University of Chester, Chester Voluntary Action and the Slowboat Chinese Restaurant.

The event begins at 10.45am on Eastgate Street and again at 11.30am on Bridge Street and will include a Tai Chi demonstration from the Tai Chi Chuan group.

A celebration banquet is planned at the Slowboat restaurant on Frodsham Street at 12.30pm. This is a ticketed event and email info@wahlei.org for details.