It’s out with the horse and in with the sheep.

Newham Recorder: Lion dragons and dancers perfom in Stratford Shopping Centre to celebrate Chinese New YearLion dragons and dancers perfom in Stratford Shopping Centre to celebrate Chinese New Year (Image: Archant)

Chinese New Year has been marked across the borough with colourful celebrations and plenty of festival fun.

Visitors to the Stratford Centre could see performances from lion dancers and stilt walkers this afternoon.

The shopping centre also hosted an online competition, with social media users able to win a hamper full of Chinese food.

The festival might only officially start today, but the celebrations got underway early at East Ham Market Hall, with a lion dance performance taking place at the weekend.

Newham Recorder: Lion dragons and dancers perfom in Stratford Shopping Centre to celebrate Chinese New YearLion dragons and dancers perfom in Stratford Shopping Centre to celebrate Chinese New Year (Image: Archant)

Youngsters could also join in with themed craft activities, making a memento to mark the occasion.

Newham Recorder: Lion dragons and dancers perfom in Stratford Shopping Centre to celebrate Chinese New YearLion dragons and dancers perfom in Stratford Shopping Centre to celebrate Chinese New Year (Image: Archant)

Newham Recorder: Chinese new year celebrations at East Ham marketChinese new year celebrations at East Ham market (Image: Archant)

Newham Recorder: Chinese new year celebrations at East Ham marketChinese new year celebrations at East Ham market (Image: Archant)

Newham Recorder: Chinese new year celebrations at East Ham marketChinese new year celebrations at East Ham market (Image: Archant)