Lunar New Year festival. Series — London Museum Docklands What better way to start the new year? February half term. 17 – 23 Feb 2025. Series. In addition to the vibrant celebrations in Chinatown and Trafalgar Square, Soho will also be buzzing with excitement next weekend for the Chinese New Year festivities. As part of the Year of the Snake celebrations, this lively area will host a variety of activities, including traditional Chinese performances, cultural showcases, and street food stalls. These are the largest Lunar and Chinese New Year celebrations outside of Asia. This year's event will take place on Sunday 2 February 2025 across Chinatown and the West End including activities in Trafalgar Square and Leicester Square, and a parade running from Duncannon Street, via Charing Cross Road to Shaftesbury Avenue. 2025 will welcome the Year of the Snake for the first time since 2013. If you were born in 2001, 1989, 1977, 1965, 1953 or 1941, this year will be one of luck and opportunity. When is Chinese New Year celebrated in London? Chinese New Year, also known as the Lunar New Year, always falls between late January and mid-February. In 2025, Chinese New Year falls on 29 January. The 2025 Chinese New Year festival in central London, organised by the London Chinatown Chinese Association (LCCA), takes place on 1 and 2 February. London's Chinese New Year Parade and Trafalgar Square celebrations on 1 and 2 February 2025 Don't miss the incredible celebrations happening in central London. Image: Paul via creative commons. In Chinatown London you’ll find lion dancing, stalls and plenty of places to stop off for a Chinese New Year feast. Full Schedule of Chinese New Year Events in London: 1st February 2025. 11:00am – 5:00pm: 📍Chinatown: Lion Dance Performances throughout Chinatown; 2nd February 2025. 10:00am – 11:45am: 📍 East of Trafalgar Square to Join a family friendly half-term Lunar New Year walking tour of London’s Chinatown with China Exchange. Their award-winning trained volunteers will take you around this fascinating part of London, so it’s the perfect way to learn a little more about this unique location and community. Entertaining; Lunar New Year in London: where to celebrate the Year of the Wood Snake. Do you want a year of good fortune and happiness? Then it is time to tuck into some of London’s cult favourite hotspots, devour decadent treats, and toast the Lunar New Year, and we have you covered with our guide to all things going on in the city (from 29 January until 8 February 2025) The first Sunday of the Year of the Wood Snake, February 2, will see the largest Lunar New Year celebrations outside Asia taking place in London. What began in the 1970s as a small community Expect acrobatic Lion and Dragon dances in Peninsula Square from 1.30pm, Firepit Art Gallery exhibitions celebrating Lunar New Year; hands-on workshops like woodblock printing, bamboo weaving and Chinese knot-making; live music from Eastern Margins DJs, and the Eternal Market - a vibrant Pan Asian showcase featuring contemporary and traditional fare, brimming with delicious food, unique crafts In 2025, Chinese New Year falls on Wednesday 29 January, with London’s Lunar New Year parade taking place the following weekend, on Sunday 2 February. What time does the parade start? Layue (simplified Chinese: 腊月; traditional Chinese: 臘月; pinyin: Làyuè) is a term often associated with Chinese New Year as it refers to the sacrifices held in honour of the gods in the twelfth lunisolar month, hence the cured meats of Chinese New Year are known as larou (simplified Chinese: 腊肉; traditional Chinese: 臘肉; pinyin London has tons to offer for free, from the changing of the guards to world-class art. There are plenty of hidden treasures too – make your mark on the longest graffiti wall in the city, see the sights from the sky, and discover a cave of neon lights. Here are 10 of the best free family activities to enjoy in London this half term. Best October Half Term Activities for Kids in London. Squidsoup’s Lost In Light art exhibition – a 3-storey, 30,000sqft immersive light installation and art exhibition in the heart of East London opens Friday 25 October. She added: "Pre-Covid in 2019 Chinese New Year fell on Tuesday February 5 and the rise in footfall over the weekend at the end of that week was 5% in central London from the weekend before. Valentine’s Day 2022: From jazzy evenings to intimate meals for two - five romantic events in London; Secret walking tours to Hackney City Farm: Five outdoor events in London to beat the January blues; Chinese New Year 2022: When is Lunar New Year and how to celebrate in London The best things to get up to in London with children this summer half term. this celebration of 85 years of the much-loved Beano characters is the world’s very first family ‘comiconcerto Add these dates to your diary to plan your visit to Covent Garden in 2025. February Half Term: Monday 17th February - Friday 21st February; Easter Holidays: Monday 7th April - Monday 21st April 1. The ‘China in London’ season starts with the Olympic Flame relay. False 2. ‘China Now’ is a London event. False 3. The London Chinese New Year event is bigger than the similar event in New York. True 4. The Chinese New Year celebrations only feature traditional arts. False 5. The season of Chinese cultural events in London
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