Chinese Lunar New Year in London 2026 Free

Celebrate the Year of the Horse 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). 

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 2026, Chinese New Year falls on 17 February.

The 2026 Chinese New Year festival in central London, organised by the London Chinatown Chinese Association (LCCA), takes place around that date, with details yet to be confirmed. 

Where do London's Chinese New Year celebrations take place?

The central London festivities usually take place across the West End, from Shaftesbury Avenue down to Trafalgar Square.

During Lunar New Year, London hosts the vibrant Chinese New Year parade, featuring colourful floats and the largest gathering of Chinese lions and dragons in Europe.

The celebrations usually also include lively activities and foodie treats in Chinatown; family-friendly entertainment in Leicester Square; and while Trafalgar Square often plays host to the main stage performances, you can expect to find more stages on Dean Street and Shaftesbury Avenue. 

How is Chinese New Year celebrated in London?

The theme for the 2026 Chinese New Year is the Year of the Horse and you can expect lots of events and festivities across London during this time.

The official Chinese New Year programme for 2026 is yet to be revealed but here was last year's rundown of events and activities to give you an idea of what to expect in London:

Saturday

Lion dance

Last year, the festivities took place across two days, starting with the spectacular lion dance performances. Chinatown saw performers in colourful lion costumes dancing through the streets to mimic the movements of a lion. The traditional spectacle is said to bring good luck and drive away evil spirits.

Sunday

Chinese New Year parade

Watch colourful floats in the annual Chinese New Year parade, which last year saw more than 50 teams take part. The parade in London welcomes the largest gathering of Chinese lions and dragons in Europe, usually starting on the east corner of Trafalgar Square before snaking its way along Charing Cross Road and around the streets of Chinatown. 

Trafalgar Square

Last year, the fun in Trafalgar Square kicked off with speeches and the Lions' Eye-Dotting Ceremony.

Visitors then got a chance to experience traditional dragon and flying lion dances and fun-filled stage performances, including Chinese dance and music shows, martial arts displays, Chinese pop hits and an exciting lineup of artists from China.

There were arts and crafts stalls, festive stands and street food stalls dotted around the square throughout the celebrations.

In 2025, the National Gallery, just off Trafalgar Square, also hosted family activities and colourful costume displays throughout the day.

The finale then got underway with a variety of showstopper performances, which included a techno lion dance and spectacular pyrotechnic display, lighting up Trafalgar Square to mark the end of the festivities.

West End stages

The London Chinese New Year fun usually continues across the West End with special performances, workshops and activities.

You can usually spot up-and-coming British-Chinese artists performing dance, music and comedy at the community stage and exhibition zone on Dean Street and Shaftesbury Avenue.

Or take the kids to the family and culture zone, which is usually set up in Leicester Square, for cultural activities and family-friendly entertainment.  

Chinatown

Head to Chinatown where you can expect to get up close to more lion dances, find more festive stalls or sit down for a traditional Chinese New Year meal and festive treats in one of Chinatown’s restaurants.

More Chinese Lunar New Year events in London

Check back closer to the time to find out more ways to celebrate Lunar New Year in London with exciting events and activities taking place across the capital. 

Top tips for celebrating Chinese New Year in London

Follow these tips for celebrating Chinese New Year in London:

• Wrap up warm: As celebrations usually take place in February, the weather can be cold.
• Learn Chinese New Year greetings: Say "Xin Nian Kuai Le" (Happy New Year in Mandarin) or "Sun Nin Faai Lok" (in Cantonese).
• Dress in red: Red is the key colour of Chinese New Year. You can dress up with a red scarf, jumper or shoes – this will bring good luck for the coming year.
• Enjoy special Chinese New Year food: Order a whole chicken or try dumplings at top restaurants in Chinatown.
• Buy something red: To bring luck to your year, Chinese tradition dictates that you should buy something red for yourself or your house.
• Ensure good luck: In Chinese culture, to “climb high and gaze far” on New Year’s Day or the following day brings good luck in business, career, study and fortune. Take a trip on the London Eye or the IFS Cloud Cable Car, or head up to The View from The Shard.

How to get to the Chinese New Year event in London

The area around Chinatown and Trafalgar Square often gets very busy during London's Chinese New Year celebrations, so be sure to plan your route in advance using Transport for London's Journey Planner. 

About Chinese New Year

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. Chinese New Year 2026, the Year of the Horse, falls on 17 February. 

Now run by the The London Chinatown Chinese Association (LCCA), the CNY London celebrations began as a small community event in Chinatown more than 20 years ago; the festivities have now become the largest of their kind outside Asia, attracting hundreds of thousands of people to the capital each year. The Lunar New Year 2026 promises an exciting programme of events for all people of all ages to enjoy.

What is the route for the Chinese New Year parade in London 2026?

The exact route for the Lunar New Year parade in London 2026 is yet to be confirmed. However, it usually starts on the east corner of Trafalgar Square next to Charing Cross Station. From this point, it often makes its way up Charing Cross Road to Shaftesbury Avenue and around the streets of Chinatown where it normally concludes on the bottom of Wardour Street.

Naturally, the parade is much busier to watch near the Tube stations, so it's best to move away from Charing Cross or Leicester Square to beat the crowds.

What do you wear to the Chinese New Year parade?

Don't forget, the Lunar New Year falls on some of the coldest months here in the UK, so if you are planning on attending the parade, wrap up warm! Be sure to wear plenty of layers including a heavy winter jacket, a scarf, a hat and even gloves. During January and February, there is a high chance of rain in the UK, so if you have waterproof garments or an umbrella at your disposal, don't hesitate to bring them!

If you've attended any Lunar New Year celebrations in the past, you'll know that red is the colour of choice. Representing good fortune, luck, vitality, celebration and prosperity in Chinese culture, red is worn to boost luck and ward off evil spirits. Wearing red is encouraged, so for those looking to take part in the celebrations, be sure to bring something nice and vivid!

Can't visit during Chinese New Year in London? Worry not! Chinatown is a hive of bustling activity all year around, so don't miss out on visiting throughout the year.