According to the Chinese zodiac, on Wednesday 29 January we officially enter the Year of the Snake. The Lunar New Year is always a colourful celebration in London, and here in South Bank you can also mark the occasion. Here are some ideas for ways to place to celebrate the New Year, Chinese style. Year of the Snake at Ping Pong 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. Chinese New Year, AKA the Spring Festival, is a commemoration of the new lunar calendar, and is celebrated in many South Asian countries including Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore 6. Chinese New Year at London Museum Docklands. The London Museum Docklands offers a cultural dive into Chinese heritage. During Chinese New Year, it hosts exhibitions, traditional dance performances, and workshops that families can attend for free. 7. Lunar New Year at the BFI. Film enthusiasts, assemble! 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. 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. Preparations for Lunar New Year are well underway, with many readying themselves to embrace the Year of the Wood Snake. This year’s Chinese zodiac animal represents wisdom, charm, elegance and transformation, and these characteristics are interpreted across some of London’s favourite foodie In 2025 Chinese New Year falls on Wednesday 29 January, and this time around it’s the Year of the Snake. London’s Chinatown, Trafalgar Square and the West End will fill up with hundreds of LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS: Dear Asia in Aldgate, which teaches Japanese, Korean and Chinese language, hosts two Lunar New Year celebrations — a mahjong workshop on 25 January, followed by Year 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 Screening across the weekend of Chinese New Year, the BFI marks the arrival of the Year of the Snake with a new selection of films in its Focus Hong Kong series. Thu 23 Jan at 6:10pm TRUE LOVE, FOR ONCE IN MY LIFE Dumplings are traditionally eaten on New Year’s Eve, particularly in Northern China, and symbolise wealth. Chinese dumplings are said to resemble Chinese gold or silver ingots, the currency of imperial China; not the rectangular gold bars familiar from heist movies, but boat-shaped, with turned-up ends. Time Out’s ultimate guide to the Chinese Lunar New Year in London. 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001 and 2013. According to the South China Morning Post, snakes are ‘associated with harvest, 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 The Chinese New Year Parade. True to the city’s tradition, the largest and most beautiful celebration will be the Chinese New Year parade, with its main stage in Trafalgar Square. With over 300,000 people participating in London's Chinese New Year festivities, the parade promises to bring color to the streets of London. It's almost Lunar New Year, and with it London will celebrate the beginning of the year in the traditional Chinese lunisolar calendar. Celebrations begin on Chinese New Year's Eve and typically last for around 16 days. This year, Chinese New Year's Day will be on Sunday, January 22. The upcoming year is a Year of the Rabbit - it will span The Chinese Lunar New Year is almost here and London is once again preparing to host an array of celebrations throughout the Chinatown area this weekend. This Saturday and Sunday (February 1 and February 2) Soho will be the ultimate destination for festivities as the spot hosts an array of activities and performances to mark the year of the The Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year, is one of most significant events of the year in many Asian cultures. The festivities kick off on the first day of the first lunar month in the calendar, culminating with the 'Lantern Festival' on the 15th day. The date changes every year, but in 2025, it falls on Wednesday, January 29. Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year, marks the transition from winter to spring in the lunar calendar. This year, it falls on Saturday, February 10. There are countless customs and legends associated with the day, and it holds great significance to those who celebrate. This year marks the Year Of The Dragon in the lunar calendar. Chinatown gets very busy during Chinese New Year (Image: Jeremy O'Donnell/Getty Images) The Parade Route. The parade will start on Duncannon Street, head up Charing Cross Road and down Shaftesbury Avenue, finishing on Rupert Street near Wardour Street with the parade starting at 10.15am until 12pm.
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