The streets of Birmingham will awash with colour today as the city's Chinese New Year celebrations began – with thousands of visitors expected in the city to welcome the ‘Year of the Pig.’

Festivities kicked off earlier with a parade through the city's Colmore Business District and special concerts – one already held at St Philip's Cathedral with performances by Birmingham Conservatoire and Dans Dance Company – throughout the celebrated Chinese Quarter in Southside.

Anticipating a full day of music, fun and games for all the family, James Wong, chair of Birmingham's Chinese Festival Committee, said: "This year's programme is hugely exciting and diverse, and will see us working with all our partners to bring Chinese New Year to places and spaces across the city.

 We are very proud of our heritage in bringing this unique and unforgettable spectacle to life."

Celebrations will continue throughout the city centre, with a parade of lion and dragon dancers through Bullring and Grand Central.

Shoppers will also be entertained by acrobatic displays and martial arts from Shaolin Warriors.

Marking the pig, one of 12 signs of the Chinese zodiac, which is believed to be a symbol of optimism, enthusiasm and hard work, the Chinese New Year celebrations will continue in the city's Chinatown area near to Birmingham Hippodrome - who is staging a series of free performances in The Patrick Studio, including music, dance and spoken word.