A CELEBRATION of Asian food, culture, arts and crafts and performances takes place in Boscombe to celebrate Chinese New Year.

Businesses in the area are supporting the Lunar Fiesta with the help of the Coastal Business Improvement District (Coastal BID), which runs from Saturday, January 28 to Saturday, February 11.

It has been organised by the Wisdom (Zhiuhui) Foundation with the first day of entertainment on Saturday including an Aladdin pantomime, a junior and senior lion dance and a grand finale, which is backed by the Sovereign Shopping Centre.

Stefan Krause, Coastal BID manager, said: "With the wonderful New Year celebration, the Lunar Fiesta launches to celebrate the Year of the Fire Phoenix 2017 in great style over nine days.

He added: "This festival really does have something to appeal to all ages."

Over the course of the Lunar Fiesta celebrations, there will be a Multicultural Curry Contest Exhibition, mask making and lantern workshops, a Chinese painting exhibition, theatrical performances, and an Asian Wonderland in Boscombe precinct.

A special Chinese Valentine’s Day Charity Gala takes place at the Bournemouth Hilton on Saturday, February 11 with tickets costing £48 per person, which includes a gift.

For more information, go to Lunarfiesta.com/events