In this article, you'll learn the following:
Guo Nian Hao! Chinese New Year is an exciting event that takes place yearly around January and February time. Unlike the UK’s two-day New Year’s celebrations, the Chinese New Year holiday lasts for over two thrilling weeks. During this time, you can expect lots of music, dancing, fireworks, entertainment and excitement – so why not join in the action?
When is Chinese New Year?
Chinese New Year 2023 begins on Sunday 22 January 2023 and traditionally lasts 15 days, finishing with the Lantern Festival. Dates to mark in your diary during this time include:
- 21 January 2023 - Chinese New Year's Eve
- 22 January 2023 - Chinese New Year's Day
- 5 February 2023 - The Lantern Festival
How to celebrate Chinese New Year in London
Now you know when to celebrate Chinese New Year, you’ll probably be on the hunt for things to do. As a diverse city of culture, you can find plenty of things to do to celebrate in London.
2023 will welcome the Year of the Rabbit and promises to be as exciting as ever - so catch a train to London to join in the celebrations for yourself. Here are just some of the things you can get up to in London during the Chinese New Year.
Attend the Chinese New Year Parade
Beginning on Charing Cross Road and running through Shaftesbury Avenue in Chinatown, London’s annual Chinese New Year Parade is the most exciting way to start off your Chinese New Year celebrations.
The parade begins at 10:00 and features more than 50 talented groups. Admire the colourful and vibrant floats, and don’t miss out on the huge Chinese lion and dragon dance at Charing Cross Road.
Enjoy a screen show and thanksgiving ceremony
Once the parade is over, head to Trafalgar Square to continue your celebrations. The fun usually begins with a screen show and thanksgiving ceremony, in which the sponsors and community members at large are given thanks. A spectacular firecracker performance then follows, before the audience is wowed by a traditional dragon and flying lions dance ceremony. You can also enjoy:
- Chinese dance and music shows
- Skilled martial arts displays
- Live performances from Chinese artists
- A huge variety of traditional street food dishes
Take part in family activities and witness colourful costume displays
Home to a striking collection of European art, the National Gallery becomes one of the popular family zones during the Chinese New Year celebrations. Located just off Trafalgar Square, the gallery offers a range of family-friendly activities throughout the day, from storytelling and dance workshops to craft events and costume displays.
We advise that you book your sessions in advance to avoid disappointment, although there are plenty of drop-in activities and performances you can visit on the day.
For yet more live entertainment, head to the West End Stage, where you’ll find a variety of zones to choose between. Support up-and-coming dance, music and comedy acts in the Talent and Community Zone on Shaftesbury Avenue, or keep the kids busy at the Family Zone in Leicester Square. A mix of family-friendly activities are provided during the day here, including calligraphy, arts and crafts, dancing and dressing up
At the Martial Arts and Cultural Zone, marvel at a mix of martial art performances, ranging from Shaolin Kung Fu to Wing Chun. There’s also an area for arts and crafts, where you can try your hand at a traditional painting workshop.
Enjoy entertainment plus a night market in Chinatown
You couldn’t celebrate Chinese New Year in London without a trip to Chinatown, and you won’t be short of things to do:
- Get up close to Chinese zodiac animals and discover more about what each symbolises
- As the skies begin to darken, get ready to line the streets for another lion dance, which sees performers leaping and bouncing to the beat of the drums
- Explore the night market to see what goodies you can take home
- Finish the festivities with a delicious meal in one of Chinatown’s traditional Chinese restaurants
Top tips for enjoying Chinese New Year in London
The Chinese New Year is a fun-filled event for people of all ages. However, the celebrations can be busy and the weather chilly. Here are some tips for getting the most out of your day:
- Book events in advance – while London’s Chinese New Year event is free, some activities are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. If you find a particular activity you don’t want to miss, we’d advise checking to see if you can book in advance
- Wrap up warm – with the event taking place in January, cold and unpredictable weather is expected. Wear a thick coat with a scarf and gloves, and don’t forget your umbrella
- Wear red – the key colour of the Chinese New Year is red, and wearing it is said to bring you good luck for the coming year. If you don’t own anything in red, buy something in red at the event to retain your good fortunes
- Book your train tickets in advance – the Chinese New Year is a busy time in London, so we’d recommend booking your train tickets at least a month in advance. London Waterloo is one of the closest stations to the action, located just an 18-minute walk from Trafalgar Square
The best places to eat for Chinese New Year in London
Whether you’re after a sit-down meal or a quick bite to eat on the go, there’s plenty of choice for your Chinese New Year food. Here are some of our top restaurants:
- Dumplings’ Legend, Chinatown (££) – watch chefs as they create your delicious dumpling dishes in front of your very eyes
- Yauatcha, Soho (£££) – high-end Chinese restaurant and bakery specialising in dim sum
- Baoziinn, Chinatown (££) – flavour some, spicy food in a cosy, comfortable atmosphere
- Bake, Chinatown (£ - ££) – traditional Pan-Asian snacks ranging from char siu bao (barbecue-pork steamed buns) to taiyaki-influenced, ice-cream-filled waffles shaped like a fish
- Good Friend, Chinatown (££) – enjoy fried chicken, Chinese-style, with many flavoured powders to choose from
- Din Tai Fung, Covent Garden (££ - £££) – high-quality Chinese dishes prepared with passion
- Opium Cocktail and Dim Sum Parlour, Chinatown (£££) – celebrate late into the night at this cocktail bar and eatery
The Chinese New Year in London makes for the perfect winter getaway activity – all that’s left to do is plan your trip with South Western Railway. Search our ticket types to find the right train tickets for your trip. Plus, enjoy fantastic savings with our Railcards and discounts.
