Chinese New Year — also known as Lunar New Year or Spring Festival — is one of the most vibrant and joyful celebrations on the cultural calendar. It marks the beginning of the lunar year and ushers in a season of renewal, family reunions, feasting, and festivities that symbolise luck, prosperity, and good fortune.
In London, the Lunar New Year celebrations are among the largest outside Asia, centred around Chinatown and the West End. From colourful parades to traditional performances, craft activities, and family‑friendly experiences, there’s something for everyone. Here’s your guide to the best Chinese New Year events and activities happening in London in 2026 complete with when and where to be for the biggest and most memorable moments.
📅 When and Where Chinese New Year Takes Place in London
In 2026, Chinese New Year falls on Tuesday, 17 February 2026, ushering in the Year of the Horse. While the official day itself is a great time to enjoy celebratory meals and family traditions, most of London’s public festivities especially the big parade and performances take place on the weekend after.
Main Celebration Weekend:
🗓 Saturday & Sunday — 21 and 22 February 2026
📍 Chinatown and West End, Central London
🎉 Free to attend, open to everyone.
🐉 Chinese New Year Parade — A Must‑See Spectacle
One of the highlight events is the big Chinese New Year Parade, which brings together performers, colourful floats, drummers, lion dancers, and giant dragons.
📍 Location: Chinatown & West End (central London)
🗓 Date: Sunday, 22 February 2026
🕙 Time: Parade often starts in the morning (around 10:15–10:30am) and runs through to around midday.
Route:
- The parade typically begins around Charing Cross Road near Trafalgar Square
- Proceeds up Shaftesbury Avenue
- Finishes in Chinatown — where celebrations continue throughout the day.
Expect massive crowds and a lively atmosphere. It’s free to watch, but arriving early will help you find a good viewing spot.
Celebrate … Festival with Us
Book our festival workshops to celebrate with us.
Explore More Chinese Cultures
We are experts in Chinese culture and traditions.
Stage Performances and Festive Zones
Trafalgar Square Festival Stage
📍 Trafalgar Square
🕐 Afternoon performances (following the parade)
After the parade, Trafalgar Square becomes a hub of live entertainment, featuring:
- Traditional lion and dragon dances
- Martial arts demonstrations
- Chinese dance and music acts
- Cultural performances from community groups
- Speeches, ceremonies, and often a Lions’ Eye Dotting Ceremony — a symbolic moment believed to awaken the lion’s spirit.
Learn & Create: Workshops and Cultural Activities
If you’re interested in going beyond the street parades and performances, London offers a range of new year workshops and cultural activities that let you engage more deeply with Chinese New Year traditions.
Dear Asia London, a cultural events organisation that curates interactive workshops and celebrations rooted in Asian customs. Their activities are designed to be hands‑on, engaging, and insightful, making them perfect for anyone wanting a richer cultural experience during the Lunar New Year period.
Lunar New Year – The Year of the Horse Celebration
Celebrate Chines New Year with Dear Asia London on 17 February 2026. This festive event features special crafting with the Year of the Horse theme, it combines culture and creative experiences to highlight the traditions and symbolism of the New Year.
Lantern Festival Workshop
On 2 March 2026 , Dear Asia London hosts a Lantern Festival Celebration & Lantern Making Workshop, where participants craft their own lanterns, a beautiful way to mark the Lantern Festival and the end of Chinese new year celebration.
Want to hire us?
Bespoke event for you!
Dear Asia is a London-based event organiser specialising in creative workshops celebrating Asian cultures. With years of experience, our team excels at hosting engaging events for groups of 15-60 people in your office. We’re passionate about what we do, but our capacity is limited. If you’d like us to run an event for you, visit this page for more details and get in touch!
Family‑Friendly Activities in Leicester Square
Leicester Square often hosts a family zone as part of the Chinese New Year festivities. Here, you’ll find:
- Arts & crafts activities
- Calligraphy sessions
- Interactive workshops
- Face painting and kids’ cultural activities
It’s one of the most welcoming parts of the celebrations for families with young children or groups looking for engaging, hands‑on fun.
Lunar New Year Markets & Food Experiences
London’s Chinatown and surrounding areas fill with pop‑up stalls during the festival period. These markets offer:
- Traditional Chinese snacks and street food
- Dumplings, spring rolls, and sweets symbolising wealth and luck
- Festive decorations (red lanterns, couplets, lucky charms)
- Souvenirs and cultural merchandise
Wandering through Chinatown during Lunar New Year feels like stepping into a mini cultural village with smells, colours and sounds that celebrate the season in style.
🍽️ Lunar New Year Dining and Special Menus
London’s diverse culinary scene comes alive during Lunar New Year. Many restaurants in Chinatown and beyond offer special festive menus or New Year set meals, featuring traditional favourites like:
- Dumplings (symbolising wealth)
- Whole fish (for abundance)
- Longevity noodles (for long life and happiness)
- Sweet glutinous rice cakes (nian gao) for good fortune
Booking ahead is highly recommended if you plan a restaurant celebration — particularly on or around the parade weekend — as places fill up quickly.
Other Activities Around London
While central London is the main hub for Chinese New Year festivities, you can also find themed events across the city during February:
🎏 Lewisham Lunar New Year Celebration
🗓 Saturday, 7 February 2026
🕐 11:00am – 2:00pm
📍 Zhulin Hidden Village, 100–104 Lewisham High Street, SE13 5JH
This community event offers lion and dragon dance performances, traditional music, children’s craft workshops, Asian food stalls, and cultural shows — ideal for families or local celebrations in southeast London.
#dearasia_london
A quick story of us
Dear Asia is a team of dedicated East Asian professionals passionate about sharing our rich heritage. Our team includes language teachers and craft instructors who excel at teaching everything you want to know about Asia. We are proud of our Asian roots and are committed to promoting our cultures through engaging classes and workshops. Based in Aldgate, we invite you to visit us and learn more about what we offer.
Follow us on Instagram
🧧 Tips for Making the Most of CNY celebration in London
To enjoy Chinese New Year celebrations to the fullest:
- Arrive early — the parade and stage areas get extremely busy on 22 February.
- Wear red — a traditional colour symbolising good luck.
- Use public transport — major tube stations (Leicester Square, Piccadilly Circus, Tottenham Court Road) are closest to Chinatown and Trafalgar Square.
- Plan meals ahead — special menus and restaurants book out fast during festival weekends.
- Check official listings — with event schedules still being finalised, local event sites and social media can provide up‑to‑date info as dates approach.
Host Your Own Chinese New Year Celebration
Whether you’re a Londoner looking to extend the festive fun beyond the public events, or part of a team or community group wanting a personalised and meaningful celebration, Dear Asia London can help you bring the spirit of the Lunar New Year to life.
From interactive cultural workshops such as calligraphy, lantern‑making, and traditional crafts to dumplings making workshop, our team can help you host your own Chinese New Year celebration that’s tailored to your group’s size, interests, and budget.