Chinese Lunar New Year in London 2027

Celebrate the Year of the Goat 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 2027, Chinese New Year falls on 6 February.

The 2027 Chinese New Year festival in central London, organised by the London Chinatown Chinese Association (LCCA), will usually take place around this time.

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

The central London festivities take place across the West End, from Trafalgar Square to Chinatown.

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 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 2027 Chinese New Year is the Year of the Goat and you can expect lots of events and festivities across London during this time.

The official Chinese New Year programme for 2027 has not been revealed yet. Here is a rundown of the 2026 events and activities in London:

Chinese New Year parade: 10am to 12pm

Spectators watched colourful floats accompanied by the largest gathering of Chinese lions and dragons in Europe in the annual Chinese New Year parade.

The parade in London started at 10am on the east corner of Trafalgar Square before snaking its way along Charing Cross Road and around the streets of Chinatown.

West End stages: 10.30am to 5.30pm

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

The family corner at the junction of Dean Street and Shaftesbury Avenue hosted family-friendly games, activities and interactive cultural workshops for all ages.

Cultural workshops in Leicester Square featured traditional Konghou musical performances, Chinese brush calligraphy and heritage painting and more.

Trafalgar Square: 11.30am to 6pm

The fun in Trafalgar Square kicked off at 11.30am with screen shows before speeches and the Lions' Eye-Dotting Ceremony at 12.30pm.

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.

The finale 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.

Chinatown: 12pm to 5.30pm

In Chinatown, there were more exhilarating lion dances, festive stalls, handicrafts and treats in Chinatown’s restaurants.

More Chinese Lunar New Year events in London

Find out more ways to celebrate Lunar New Year in London with exciting events and activities taking place across the capital – check back soon for confirmed details of events for Chinese New Year in London 2027. 

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 London 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 2027, the Year of the Goat, falls on 6 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 2027 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 2027?

The route for the Lunar New Year parade in London 2027 usually starts on the east corner of Trafalgar Square next to Charing Cross Station. From this point, it will make its way up Charing Cross Road to Shaftesbury Avenue and around the streets of Chinatown where it 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.