Lunar New Year is the perfect way to beat the January blues
Lunar (Chinese) New Year officially takes place on Tuesday, February 17(Image: Getty Images)
Raise the red lantern! Lunar New Year is almost upon us and London will soon heave with mesmerising dragon processions to the backdrop of fire crackers and beating gongs; feasts of golden spring rolls, spinach and bean curd or lashings of pork in black bean or sichuan sauce; all knocked back with a cup of rice wine.
Chinese New Year in 2026 lands on Tuesday, February 17, marking the lucky Year of the Fire Horse – the Chinese Zodiac symbol which promises dynamic energy and fiery changes and opportunities, especially for those born in the years of the Horse (1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002), Dog (1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006), Sheep (1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003), and Tigers (1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998). Celebrations last around 16 days until the Lantern Festival on March 3, with family gatherings, feasts, cleaning, and lion dances
As well as this year’s main parade through Charing Cross and Trafalgar Square, for which full details are yet to be released, London will come alive with events as East Asian communities unite to celebrate the Lunar New Year. From dumpling-tasting sessions to Chinese lantern-making, we’ve rounded up all the things you can throw yourself into this year.
Chinese New Year Parade (Chinatown) – Sunday, Feb 22
London will come alive as the capital’s East Asian communities unite to celebrate the Lunar New Year(Image: Steve Taylor/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Full details have yet to be revealed, but so far, we know 2026’s Chinese New Year parade will take place on Sunday, February 22, starting from East of Trafalgar Square, running up to Chinatown. Visitors can stand anywhere they like along the route and support local vendors selling street food throughout the day. The parade usually starts at around 10.15am, although this is yet to be confirmed. Large crowds are expected, so arrive early to get the best vantage points.
Greenwich Year of the Horse celebrations – Saturday, Feb 21
The show-stopping traditional dragon of Greenwich’s Lunar New Year celebrations will appear on Saturday, February 1, with street dances at 1.45pm, 2.30pm and 3.15pm(Image: Visit Greenwich)
Greenwich Peninsula will host one of London’s most vibrant Lunar New Year festivities on Saturday, February 21, from 12pm to 5pm. The action will be centred on the peninsula, close to Pier Walk and North Greenwich Station. “Londoners looking for something atmospheric, authentic and celebratory” can enjoy dragon and lion dances, East Asian street food stalls and vendors. a Henan art exhibition close to a fire pit and tea-tasting sessions. For the price of £5, revellers can take part in creative workshops in paper cutting, woodblock printing, calligraphy and Mahjong & GO. See here for more details.
Chinese New Year at Camden Market – Saturday, Feb 21
A traditional lion dance parade with enliven Camden Market from 1pm to 1.30pm on Saturday, February 1(Image: Getty Images)
Camden Market’s Hawley Wharf will usher in Chinese New Year on Saturday, February 21, from 12.30pm to 6pm, in true Chinese style – and the best part is – it’s free! Visitors can expect vibrant lion and dragon dances, elegant fashion parades, traditional Chinese music and dance performances, face painting with some of the boldest designs of Chinese opera, Kung Fu demonstrations and acrobatics, plus family-friendly workshops including lantern decoration, fan painting, Chinese calligraphy and pocket pouches, as well as a demo of traditional game Mahjong. All activities are free of charge. Visitors are free to walk in but they can also register their attendance here on Eventbrite.
Jeroboams dumplings and wine – Wednesday, Feb 11
Chinese pan-fried dumplings (stock image)(Image: Creative Touch Imaging Ltd/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Chelsea hangout Jeroboams at 336 King’s Road will host a special Dumplings and Wine event to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year at 6.30pm on Friday, January 24, with a 90-minute tasting session. If you’ve ever fancied downing fine wine with Chinese dumplings, now is your chance. Tickets are priced at £55.
SOAS Sounds of Spring Concert – Tuesday, Mar 3
A male musician plays the erhu(Image: Getty Images)
Professor Cheng Yu of London’s School of Oriental and African Studies presents this concert of traditional and contemporary music, lanterns, candles and tea on the last day of celebration of this auspicious new year. The concert features Chinese orchestral music, silk and bamboo, Beijing opera, Chaozhou string-poem music and Pipa/Guqin ensemble. Doors open at 7.3pm at the SOAS Gallery Lecture Theatre, with tickets from £11.55.
Lunar New Year at the London Docklands Museum – Saturday, Feb 21 to Sunday, Feb 22
Chinese New Year activities will be held at the Museum of London Docklands over the weekend of Saturday, February 1, and Sunday, February 2(Image: alessio gaggioli / Getty Images)
Gallop into the Year of the Horse in this weekend-long family festival just a stone’s throw away from London’s original Chinatown in Limehouse. Visitors can listen to classic Chinese folktales, take part in workshops, make tasty tangyuan, enjoy a dragon dance, master martial arts moves and much more in this celebration that spans cultures and countries. The full programme is to be released later this month. This family-friendly is an accessible way to introduce little ones to the different traditions for Lunar New Year. Highlights include lion dances, a silent disco, ribbon dance workshops, a chillout games space and hands-on crafts.
Kung Fu Mama’s ‘Ink & Noodles’ Calligraphy Experience – Saturday, Feb 14
(Image: Getty)
Noodle restaurant Kung Fu Mama in Covent Garden has teamed up with artist Lynn Huang this Lunar New Year to present ‘Ink & Noodles’ a calligraphy workshop and noodle-tasting session from 3pm to 5pm, on Saturday, February 14, with tickets priced from £21.94. The taster session includes any noodle dish and any drink, while the contemporary Lunar New Year calligraphy experience invites guests to express good fortune, creativity, and new beginnings through the art of ink brush calligraphy. Guests can write, paint, or design their own personalised red blessing cards to hang at home or gift to someone special, as well as explore modern water ink techniques and enjoy the best of Kung Fu Mama’s noodles. See here for more information.
Dear Asia’s Lantern Making Workshop – Monday, Mar 2
Yicrafts’ Chinese paper-cut lantern making and calligraphy workshop is back to celebrate 2025 Year of Snake(Image: YICRAFTS)
Dear Asia Centre in Aldgate is hosting its own lantern-making session on Monday, March 2, from 6pm to 7pm, with tickets priced from £33.22. Guests can create glass-tinted or traditional paper lanterns, as well as shimmering, hand-held pieces inspired by classical Chinese designs. Using a beautiful craft set, they will assemble and decorate their own glowing lanterns to take home, symbolising brightness, peace, and renewal. Traditionally held on the 15th day of the lunar calendar, the end of Lunar celebrations is a time when families gather under the glowing lanterns, share sweet rice dumplings and celebrate unity, hope, and good fortune for the year ahead. Meeting Chinese students, the event will be full of treats with a social feel. See here for details.
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