Chinese New Year, also known as Spring Festival, is a huge festival among Chinese communities in London and across the world. Based on the lunar and solar calendars, the actual date of Chinese New Year varies and each year in the Chinese calendar is represented by one of the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac. 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 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 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 Chinese New Year London events are the largest outside Asia and attract hundreds of thousands of people each year. These free Chinese New Year celebrations in London are organised by the London Chinatown Chinese Association (LCCA), and usually feature the vibrant Chinese New Year London parade and one-day festival in Trafalgar Square. Find 29th January - 12th February. Watch this space for more information on the biggest celebration of Chinese New Year outside of Asia, in the West End of London. Discover all the best ways to celebrate the Year of the Snake, from parades and performances across Chinatown to traditional Chinese food and limited edition Lunar New Year products from your favourite brands. On Sunday 11th February, London will take to the streets to celebrate Chinese New Year, also known as the Lunar New Year. As part of the carnival, you can expect lively parades, spectacular performances, beautiful displays, immersive family activities and all of your favourite Chinatown London restaurants serving festive specials and 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. House of Ming is launching an exclusive offering to celebrate Chinese New Year in London. From February 9 to 11, the restaurant will be adding a fiery cocktail to its menu, along with a selection of limited edition dishes including Yuanna style lamb with celery and ginger chilli and Sichuan style oriental vegetables. The ultimate guide to celebrating Chinese Lunar New Year 2024 in London The Slice and Sophie Laughton. Published February 9, 2024 2:11pm Updated February 9, 2024 2:46pm Share this with London Chinese New Year parade route . It’ll start to the east of Trafalgar Square, a few metres down from Charing Cross station. Spectacular Chinese lions and dragons will make their way up London hosts the biggest Chinese New Year celebrations outside Asia. This year’s celebrations - aka Lunar New Year or The Spring Festival - fall on Wednesday 29 January. But you can celebrate the Year of the Snake at a gaggle of major events across the capital on 1-2 February and our picks are all FREE. When is the Chinese New Year parade in London? The Lunar New Year always falls between late January and mid-February. In 2025, Chinese New Year falls on Wednesday 29 January, with London’s Lunar 🥾 London Chinese Lunar New Year Parade 2025: start time, route and everything you need to know. Year of the Snake at Greenwich Peninsula. Celebration Locations and Dates for 2025. THE DATES. Chinese New Year in 2025 will be celebrated on Wednesday, January 29. In London, the main festivities, including parades and events in Chinatown and Trafalgar Square, are typically held on the weekend following the actual New Year's Day. Chinese New Year celebrations in Chinatown London are the largest outside of China, making it the ultimate destination to experience this vibrant time of year. With over 50 restaurants, bars, shops, and businesses, Chinatown is the heart of the celebration, offering a unique blend of cultural dishes and festive experiences. 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. Just when it’s about time to stop wishing everyone a Happy New Year, the Lunar New Year arrives and the celebrations start all over again. Falling on the 29 January 2025 (today), the Lunar New Year marks the first new moon of the lunar calendar and is the most important annual celebration in China and many communities around the world. 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. Chinese New Year parade in Chinatown. On Sunday 2nd February, Chinatown will host London’s biggest Chinese New Year Parade. Starting east of Trafalgar Square and winding its way to Chinatown, the parade features lively lion dances, music, and more.
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