From concerts to calligraphy classes, here’s how to mark Chinese New Year in London.
It’s time to celebrate Chinese New Year in London, and the Year of the Horse. Take in the food, fun and festivities. From showstopping lion dances to cultural workshops, the capital offers something for everyone. The city is brimming with Chinese restaurants, and many offer special menus for this time of the year. There are also concerts, exhibitions, parades, and workshops. Here are the best ways to celebrate Chinese New Year in London.
British Museum
Step into the vibrant world of Chinese music with a chamber concert by New Elements Music on 13 February in the China and South Asia Gallery. This free-to-attend event invites visitors to enjoy a captivating programme blending traditional Chinese and Western instruments, performed by the talented musicians of New Elements Music. Listen to the enchanting tones of the pipa, guqin, guzheng, and zhudi, brought vividly to life in this unique gallery setting.
GO: Visit www.britishmuseum.org for more information.
Camden Market
Camden Market is a superb spot to explore for food, drink, and a whole lot of indie, punk, and rock and roll memorabilia. On 21 February, the market comes alive with Chinese New Year festivities, transforming Hawley Wharf into a hub of acrobatics, lion dances, live music, and kung fu demonstrations. Stalls offer a mix of traditional and modern goods, from handmade crafts to street food. Visitors can join creative workshops to learn calligraphy, fan painting and more.
GO: Visit https://camdenmarket.com for more information.
Chinatown
Europe’s largest Chinatown transforms into a lantern-filled wonderland during Chinese New Year, hosting the biggest celebration outside China. This Soho enclave, home to over 150 restaurants, bars, shops, and businesses, comes alive with vibrant decorations and bustling festivities, marking the most important event in the community’s calendar. For the Year of the Horse in 2026, the parade takes place on 22 February, starting just east of Trafalgar Square and winding through Chinatown. Visitors can line the streets, enjoy the sights and sounds, and fuel up at pop-up food vendors serving festive treats. Arrive early to soak up the atmosphere.
GO: Visit https://chinatown.co.uk for more information.
Covent Garden
The West End joins the fun with vibrant lion dance performances, interactive Mahjong-inspired spinning wheels, and limited-edition Lunar New Year treats from top brands. Highlights include a lion dance on 10 February, celebrating Little New Year in front of the illuminated Market Building, as well as daily pop-ups offering prizes from Nespresso, Glossier, Miller Harris, and more. Visitors can try their luck on the spinning wheel, unlocking exclusive in-store prizes while enjoying the festive atmosphere of Covent Garden. It’s a brilliant way to combine culture and celebration.
GO: Visit www.coventgarden.london for more information.
Greenwich Peninsula
Greenwich Peninsula transforms for Chinese New Year. On 21 February, visitors can enjoy lion and dragon dances with colourful costumes, dance-worthy drumming, and Insta-friendly acrobatics. Get into the spirit and try knot-making, Mahjong or woodblock printing. Shop at the market with arts, crafts and street food, visit the exhibition on the Henan province, dance along to the DJs, and refuel at the restaurants showcase special menus on the day.
GO: Visit www.greenwichpeninsula.co.uk for more information.
Museum of the Home
Families are invited to join the Mini Playhouse for a creative Lunar New Year celebration on 17 February. Children can design temporary homes, create collages, and make their own coil pots with guidance from ceramic tutor Nam Tran. Throughout February, visitors can also take part in activities with the Việt Archives and the Greenwich Vietnamese Women’s Group, including fan dancing and sticky rice workshops. These workshops offer a wonderful chance for children and adults alike to get hands-on with traditions, crafts, and festive fun in a welcoming museum setting.
GO: Visit https://museumofthehome.org.uk for more information.
National Maritime Museum
Get swept away by the National Maritime Museum’s range of exciting events. On 21 February, there are wonderful ways to celebrate Chinese New Year in London. The day opens with a traditional lion dance. Throughout the day, guests can learn everything from calligraphy to instruments. Plus, there is a chance to challenge yourself with chopsticks as well as arts and crafts.
GO: Visit www.rmg.co.uk for more information.
Museum of London Docklands
If you’ve been fascinated by the Chinese community in London, then head to the Museum of London Docklands. From 21 to 22 February, it will offer family-friendly events for the Chinese community in Limehouse. The area is home to one of the first Chinatowns in the capital. Enjoy arts and crafts workshops, calligraphy classes, and dragon and lion dances.
GO: Visit www.londonmuseum.org.uk for more information.
Peninsula London
The Peninsula London invites you to celebrate Chinese New Year in London in style. The events run from 3 February to 3 March. The food and drink highlights include a festive à la carte menu at Canton Blue, and a Baijiu cocktail experience at Little Blue Noodle Bar. The hotels will also welcome an Art in Resonance installation by Lin Fanglu, and traditional dragon dancing in the hotel courtyard.
GO: Visit www.peninsula.com for more information
Royal Academy of Arts
Celebrate Chinese New Year in London with Echoes of China, part of the Happy Chinese New Year 2026 programme. The event takes place on 8 February at Duke’s Hall, Royal Academy of Music, organised by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People’s Republic of China. The concert is led by renowned guzheng virtuoso Su Chang, with performances by the ChangXiang Guzheng Ensemble and Mengdie Ji. The carefully curated programme offers a contemporary interpretation of Chinese national music, showcasing the guzheng as a living cultural language that bridges tradition and modern expression.
GO: Visit www.ram.ac.uk for more information.
