It’s time to celebrate the New Year - Chinese style.

Colourful Chinese New Year celebrations traditionally last two weeks in China and this year they started on Tuesday, February 5, and end on a Lantern Festival.

The Pig is the 12th of all zodiac animals and the symbol of wealth in Chinese culture. Pigs have a beautiful personality and are blessed with good fortune in life. Here’s some ways to celebrate in Kent...

SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO

GRAVESEND

This year’s event will be at Community Square on Tuesday, February 12, from 11am. The Lion will be “woken” at 11am, before receiving traditional Chinese leaves from the mayor and making its way across the square, moving into the Woodville theatre, where there will be traditional Chinese entertainment. The event is organised in partnership with Ying Tao Association and Twin Dynasty.

GILLINGHAM

Join in as the Royal Engineers Museum celebrates with Year of the Pig activities. At the end of the long celebrations, come and admire the museum’s Chinese Collection and design your own pig cushion or paper lantern to take home. Activities run from the 15th day of celebrations, on Saturday, February 16, until Sunday, February 24, between 11am and 3pm each day. Activities cost £2 each with standard admission prices. For more details go to re-museum.co.uk

CHATHAM

There will be a parade from Church Street in Chatham at noon on Sunday, February 3, featuring dancing from local groups including Dance Alley.

Where to see pigs across Kent:

There are a range of porkers to meet at the The Rare Breeds Centre in Woodchurch, near Ashford. From Saddlebacks and Tamworths to Berkshires and Gloucester Old Spots, you may well smell them before you see them! The site has pig racing from April onwards. For details go to rarebreeds.org.uk

At Coolings Green and Pleasant in Knockholt, near Sevenoaks, you can see rare woolly pigs. The six acre site also has a nature trail to try out. For details go to coolingsgreenandpleasant.co.uk They’ve also been spotted roaming at Thornden Woods near Whitstable.

You can also see pigs down on the farm at Kent Life in Sandling, Maidstone, where the free range livestock besides sheep, cattle and donkeys includes plenty of pigs. For details go to kentlife.org.uk

Browse in the Barn at Lake Farm, Sutton Valence on Saturday, February 2, with vintage pieces and products and see the animals . Details here.

THE YEAR OF THE PIG

The last Year of the Pig was in 2007 and other years have been 1995, 1983, 1971 and 1959.

Pigs might not stand out in a crowd, but they are realists. Others may be all talk and no action but Pigs are the opposite. Though not wasteful spenders, they will let themselves enjoy life. They love entertainment and will occasionally treat themselves.

They are a bit materialistic, but this is motivation for them to work hard. They are also energetic and enthusiastic.