Estimated reading time: 7 minutes.
Chinese New Year in London invites a vibrant celebration filled with cultural festivities, delicious food, and family-friendly activities. The heart of the festivities beats in Chinatown, where you can experience Europe’s largest dragon and lion parade alongside various workshops and delicious street food. Key locations include Trafalgar Square, showcasing live performances and lantern displays, and Leicester Square, offering creative workshops and activities for kids. Food lovers will not be disappointed, with a diverse range of dining options from renowned establishments like China Tang at Harrods to Park Chinois. For anyone looking to soak in the spirit of the Lunar New Year, London is the perfect backdrop for a colourful and joyous celebration.
Table of Contents:
Ask any Londoner where to go for Chinese New Year and you’ll be sent straight to Chinatown. Just a 10-minute stroll from Thistle London Holborn, this bustling pocket of the West End transforms into a lively festival ground each Lunar New Year. The district hosts Europe’s biggest dragon and lion parade, paired with street food, cultural workshops, martial arts, and music. From mid-morning until dusk, lanterns line the streets, and performers wind through Gerrard Street entertaining the crowds.
For families, there are paper-cutting classes and themed story sessions. Travellers come from all over the globe for photo ops with lions and dragons, and foodies queue at pop-ups offering hot bao, steamed dumplings, and tanghulu (candied haw fruit).
If you want a detailed guide to what’s on, the official listings are updated annually – have a look for festival specifics on the Visit London guide to Chinese New Year and the Chinatown London site.
Top tip: Arrive early to beat the crowds, especially if you’re travelling with children or want to nab a good spot for the parade (usually from Shaftesbury Avenue to Chinatown).
Trafalgar Square is where London pulls out all the stops for Lunar New Year. In 2026, expect processions, choirs, martial arts, and a grand opening ceremony featuring community leaders. At sundown, lanterns light up the fountains, and giant screens stream live music and dance.
It’s a brilliant base for first-time tourists. You’ll see professional lion troupes, acrobats, and musician collectives, plus hands-on craft tents and food stalls along the periphery. Schedules vary year by year, so check the latest events before heading over. See this year’s plans (music, workshops, timings, and entry points) on the Londonist coverage.
Best of all, entry and events are free. There are plenty of café chains nearby for a warming break, and public toilets and underground connections make this one of the most accessible spots in central London.
Families and the creatively inclined gravitate towards Leicester Square during Chinese New Year London. Along with themed workshops (think paper lantern crafts, calligraphy, and costume play) there’s usually a programme of kids’ theatre, story circles, and pop-up performers. The mood is relaxed rather than frenetic, so you can catch up on Lunar New Year traditions at your own pace.
The UKVisa blog regularly covers the hands-on activities in this corner of the city. Find more event inspiration by browsing their roundup of Chinese New Year celebrations.
If you need a break, step out to one of the nearby cafés or the famous M&M’s World (especially handy with young ones needing a rest).
Food is central to London Lunar New Year festivities, and the city offers plenty of ways to celebrate through your taste buds. Whether you’re after showy banquet dining, casual snacks, or luxe twists on classics, you’ll find something a short stroll from Thistle Holborn.
Head to Harrods Dining Hall for signature dim sum created by China Tang. This elegant London institution pulls out all the stops for Chinese New Year 2025 – expect dishes like scallop dumplings with caviar and sweet Wagyu taro puffs. Tables book out fast, but even a flying visit is worthwhile for the festive atmosphere and themed cocktails.
Editorial guides from Wallpaper* regularly highlight this as a favourite for culinary-minded tourists: their Lunar New Year recommendations offer more details. Book via the official Harrods Dining Bookings page.
Taiwanese-inspired BAO is the place to try quirky treats themed for the new zodiac animal. For Chinese New Year 2025, they had limited-edition pistachio-filled buns shaped like playful snakes (a nod to the year’s sign) with queues forming at the door. If you’d like to explore this trend, Wallpaper*’s roundup is an excellent place for inspiration.
Multiple BAO locations are dotted around the centre; see the current menu and addresses at their own site.
If you appreciate spectacle as much as taste, Park Chinois in Mayfair delivers a dazzling blend of live lion dances and a decadent banquet menu. Expect the looks – crimson velvet banquettes, live jazz, and service with a smile. Each Chinese New Year, the team curates special courses and themed cocktails.
For an upmarket celebration with a lively social scene, Park Chinois is peerless. See what to expect at their official page, and leaf through Mayfair-centric event roundups, such as Veeve’s guide to festive dining.
Beyond China Tang, Harrods Dining Hall hosts a handful of restaurants serving Chinese New Year specials. Take your pick from contemporary Chinese plates, Cantonese dim sum, or modern fusion, all surrounded by magnificent Art Deco architecture.
If you’re combining shopping and feasting, Harrods makes for a polished day out. Find which restaurants are offering lunar menus with Harrods’ own updates in the New Year period.
If you want to taste your way through the festivities, Chinatown’s market stalls are unmissable during Chinese New Year London. Vendors serve sweet and savoury snacks impossible to find year-round like sticky rice cakes (Nian Gao), sesame balls, and Yuan Xiao soup dumplings.
Many visitors are surprised at the range: you can compare regional delicacies from Sichuan, Canton, and Taiwan within a few blocks. For culinary first-timers, staff are friendly and quick to explain (cash is handy for smaller stands). Check out the latest reviews and tips at the Londonist’s street food write-up and see maps of stalls at the official event site.
Not all the best Lunar New Year events are in the West End. South London’s Horniman Museum is a hidden gem for those seeking rich cultural experiences. Each year, it hosts a vibrant Lunar New Year evening with hands-on workshops, music, Chinese tea tastings, and themed exhibits.
The atmosphere is welcoming, with all ages getting involved. It’s ideal for tourists keen to add a local neighbourhood flavour to their London trip, beyond the central hotspots. See the full listing for 2026 on the Horniman Museum’s official page or get a sneak peek on the Visit London highlights.
Soho’s winding streets border Chinatown and burst to life at night during Chinese New Year. While some venues are reservations-only, you can always soak up the infectious energy just by walking through. Lanterns, installations, and window displays fill every corner.
It’s worth exploring nearby bars for themed drinks or late-night dim sum. Soho is at its best in the evenings – vivid, welcoming, and just steps from Thistle Holborn. Nightlife guides regularly point first-time visitors here; for the latest pop-ups and party info, have a glance at Time Out’s guide.
When the festive lights go out and crowds thin, the right hotel can turn a busy day into a relaxing, memorable stay. Whether you’re visiting London for the week or popping down for a festive weekend, Thistle London Holborn makes the capital’s Chinese New Year celebrations not just accessible but effortless.
Here’s what works for both visitors and locals:
If you’re coming as a family, the hotel is close to playgrounds, child-friendly museums, and every major Lunar New Year public event. Solo travellers and couples will appreciate being able to drift between lively celebrations and tranquil corners of the West End at will. With practical features like luggage storage and flexible check-in, it’s an ideal base whether you’re staying for one big day or the entire festival period.
Navigating the festival as a tourist is easier with insider advice. Here are key takeaways for making your experience smooth:
Ready for London’s brightest festival? Base yourself at Thistle Hotel Holborn London, and the capital’s entire celebration is right at your doorstep.
Chinese New Year 2026 falls on Tuesday 17th of February to the 3rd of March, but London’s public festivities will mostly take place on the nearest weekend, with the main parade and Trafalgar Square events usually on Sunday. It’s best to double-check official listings or ask Thistle London Holborn reception for up-to-date details as the date nears.
Yes, the major street celebrations, parades, and Trafalgar Square performances are free to enter, with no tickets required. Some workshops or pop-up theatre performances may require pre-booking.
Absolutely! From tofu buns and vegetable dumplings at BAO to dedicated vegetarian menus at many Chinatown restaurants, options are plentiful. Look for menu boards or ask staff for their Lunar New Year specials.
Yes, families are very welcome and there are activities especially for children in Leicester Square, along with quieter spaces in local museums like Horniman.
For convenience and comfort, Thistle London Holborn makes exploring London Lunar New Year brilliantly easy, with key parades, street festivals, and top dining within walking distance.
Most main events are in the West End and easily walkable from the Holborn Hotel area. For further trips, such as to Horniman Museum, use the London Underground (Holborn, Leicester Square, and Tottenham Court Road stations are close to the action).
