A high street was buzzing with thousands of people who crowded around to watch a festival celebrating Chinese culture.

A huge parade took place in Chatham on Saturday (February 17), featuring dancers and acrobats wearing colourful costumes, and multiple dragon teams.

Chinese New Year officially began on February 10 and ended today (February 20).

The traditional dotting of the dragon’s eyes was performed this year by Medway Mayor Cllr Nina Gurung and thousands came out to watch the parade, which culminated in Military Road with more dances and performances.

A number of organisations across the town have come together to deliver activities and draw visitors to the high street.

The collaboration between Nucleus Arts, Chatham Pentagon Centre, Dance Alley and Medway Council led by Chatham’s Town Centre Forum, have already delivered a range of events in the town including the Chatham Carnival.

In the run up to the event there were a number of workshops run by the partners including lantern making, crafts and dance workshops with Guides groups.

Also included in the parade was the Nucleus Arts’ Chatham Sea-monster which was created out of recycled Sellotape by local artists Kerrie Owens, and carried for Nucleus Arts by members of Medway’s Youth Council.

The event also featured craft and activity stalls, a food market, and coincided with the regular market stalls in the Pentagon Centre.

It was funded by the Levelling Up Fund as part of the Shared Prosperity Fund, and with match funding from the Chatham Town Centre Forum.

Event organiser, Dr David Stokes, CEO of Nucleus Arts and vice-chair of The Chatham Town Forum said: “What a wonderful day showing off the very best of our amazing, diverse Medway.

“This event just highlights the power that culture and partnership has to bring our communities together, to raise the profile of our area, and to bring people back to our high streets.

“We’re now working on our Carnival plans for July, and we’d welcome anyone who wants to get involved.”

Medway Council leader Vince Maple said: “It was great to see thousands of people lining the streets of Chatham to welcome back this great community event.

“I want to thank all those individuals and groups who made the event the outstanding success it was.

“Many local people were saying it was one of the biggest and best events they have seen in our community for a very long time.

“It was another example of why I am proud to be Medway.”