Celebrate the Year of the Snake in London, the biggest Chinese New Year celebrations outside Asia.. Every year, hundreds of thousands of people descend on the West End to enjoy a colourful parade, free stage performances and traditional Chinese food, and to wish each other "Xin Nian Kuai Le" (Happy New Year in Mandarin) or "Sun Nin Faai Lok" (in Cantonese). 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. The official London Chinese New Year Parade will take place the weekend after the Lunar New Year. With the New Year starting on Wednesday, January 29, the parade will take place on Sunday, February 2. What is Chinese New Year? Chinese New Year always falls between late January and mid-February and has a history of over 3,500 years. In 2025, Chinese New Year falls on 29 January. It is also called the Lunar New Year or Spring Festival and is the most important festival in Chinese culture. It celebrates the beginning of the new year on the When is Chinese New Year celebrated in London in 2025? In 2025 Chinese New Year falls on Wednesday 29 January , and this time around it’s the Year of the Snake. It is the main celebration for the Chinese community in London each year. This year, the festival starts on 29 January and marks the beginning of the Year of the Snake. Celebrate the festival in London's Chinatown and the surrounding areas on 2 February. The festival is a great opportunity to have a family day. You can: see a lion’s parade Time Out’s ultimate guide to the Chinese Lunar New Year in London. What date is Chinese New Year 2025? For 2025, Chinese New Year falls on Wednesday January 29. 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 Chinese New Year parade in London 2025: start time, route and best places to watch Celebrate the arrival of Year of the Snake at central London’s Lunar New Year festivities Tuesday 7 January 2025 How to Celebrate Lunar New Year in London. Posted on December 19, 2024 - Blog, Guides Lunar New Year 2025 is on the horizon, promising a time of vibrant celebrations and profound cultural significance. Why does Chinese New Year fall on different dates? Rather than following the western Gregorian Calendar with 365-day years, the Chinese New Year follows a lunar calendar based the moon's 12 phases. Every year London’s Chinese New Year celebrations are organised by the London Chinatown Chinese Association (LCCA). In 2020, London’s main celebrations take place on Sunday 26th January. They are concentrated in the area around Trafalgar Square, Shaftesbury Avenue, Charing Cross Road, Leicester Square and Chinatown. The legal holiday is seven days long, from the Lunar New Year's Eve to the sixth day of the first lunar month. Some companies and public institutions enjoy a longer holiday up to 10 days or more, because in common knowledge among Chinese people, the festival lasts longer, from the Lunar New Year's Eve to the 15th day of the first lunar month (Lantern Festival). 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. Here’s our roundup of some of the best things to do in London to celebrate this Lunar New Year. And yes – it does involve an outrageous amount of eating and drinking. After all, that is the Secret London way 1. Ring in the Lunar New Year with the annual parade The Lunar New Year is celebrated all over the world. Besides Mainland China, it is celebrated in Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, and the festival parades and spree are seen in Chinatowns in USA, Canada, UK, and Australia. Some Southeast Asian countries like Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam also celebrate the Lunar New Year. Celebrate the Year of the Dragon in London, the biggest Chinese New Year celebrations outside Asia. Every year, hundreds of thousands of people descend on the West End to enjoy a colourful parade, free stage performances and traditional Chinese food, and to wish each other "Xin Nian Kuai Le" (Happy New Year in Mandarin) or "Sun Nin Faai Lok" (in Cantonese). Throughout the Chinese New Year, the folk over at Bun House have created a delightful set of unique buns to celebrate the lunar new year. They come as a trio in the traditional steamed bun basket. Our favourite is a very cute-looking rabbit-shaped bun with a centre of white rabbit sweets – an iconic sweet popular in Hong Kong and China. But just how does London celebrate Chinese New Year? How is Chinese New Year celebrated in London? Under normal circumstances, Chinese New Year would be marked in London with a big parade through
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