Chinese New Year in London 2026: Best Events and Parade Times

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - As the Chinese New Year approaches, London prepares to welcome the celebrations in nothing short of spectacular fashion. Across the capital, centuries-old traditions are presented in a vibrant display of color, culture, and community spirit. 

From the grandeur of Chinatown’s festivities to citywide feasts and performances, the Year of the Horse is ushered in with radiant splendor and heartfelt joy.

Chinese New Year’s Main Celebration in London

Chinese New Year celebrations in London erupt in a kaleidoscope of color, led by a dazzling parade of floats and Europe’s largest gathering of lions and dragons.

The most popular gathering spills through Chinatown and Leicester Square with street food, family-friendly revelry, and cultural performances. 

On 22 February 2026, the festivities reached their peak with major stages lighting up Trafalgar Square, Dean Street, and Shaftesbury Avenue.

As per Visit London, here is the scheduled rundown for the biggest Chinese New Year celebration in London: 

Chinese New Year Parade (10 a.m. – 12 p.m.)

The day begins in grand style at the east corner of Trafalgar Square, where the much-anticipated parade sets off at 10 a.m. Colorful floats glide along Charing Cross Road before weaving through the heart of Chinatown, accompanied by the largest gathering of Chinese lions and dragons in Europe. 

West End Stages (10.30 a.m. – 5.30 p.m.)

As the parade winds down, the festivities ripple throughout the West End. At the junction of Dean Street and Shaftesbury Avenue, a lively family corner invites visitors to partake in interactive games and cultural workshops suited to all ages, while Leicester Square hosts traditional Konghou performances, Chinese brush calligraphy, and heritage painting sessions. 

Trafalgar Square Celebrations (11.30 a.m. – 6 p.m.)

Back at Trafalgar Square, the main stage comes alive from 11.30 a.m. with ceremonial screen shows, speeches, and the time-honoured Lions’ Eye-Dotting ritual. Throughout the afternoon, dragon dances, martial arts displays, contemporary Chinese pop, and visiting artists from China fill the square with spirited energy. As twilight descends, a techno lion dance and dazzling pyrotechnic finale illuminate the skyline, bringing the day’s celebrations to a breathtaking close.

Chinatown Festivities (12 p.m. – 5.30 p.m.)

In Chinatown, the atmosphere remains irresistibly festive. Exhilarating lion dances excite revellers at close range, while stalls brim with handcrafted keepsakes and seasonal delights. For many, the celebration culminates in a traditional Lunar New Year feast in London. 

Other Noteworthy Chinese New Year Celebrations in London 

For more engaging experiences, Time Out also recommends celebrating the Chinese New Year in other parts of London, especially at these events: 

Year of the Horse at Greenwich Peninsula – February 21, 2026

On February 21, Greenwich Peninsula is brimming alive in a vibrant tribute to the Year of the Horse, promising a day-long festival of culture and celebration. Dragon and lion dances captivate with swirling costumes and thunderous drums, while workshops in woodblock printing, Chinese knot-making, and Mahjong invite visitors into the heart of tradition. 

With DJs from Loose.fm, a dynamic market curated by Eastern Margins, exclusive dining offers, and a Henan textile showcase at Firepit Art Gallery & Studio, the festivities are rich in immersive style.

Lunar New Year at London Museum Docklands – February 21-22, 2026 

Few realise that London’s original Chinatown once flourished in Limehouse, long before its present-day home beside Soho. A short stroll from those historic roots, London Museum Docklands hosts a free, family-friendly Lunar New Year festival each February, inviting visitors to step into Chinese folktales, hands-on craft workshops, and the mesmerising spectacle of a dragon dance. 

Chinese New Year at Camden Market – February 21, 2026 

Each year, Camden Market bursts into a vibrant Lunar New Year celebration, with Hawley Wharf setting the stage for live music, lion dances, kung fu, and dazzling acrobatic displays. Between Mahjong tables and the market’s ever-tempting street food, visitors can browse traditional wares and join family-friendly workshops in Chinese calligraphy and fan painting.

Each year, Camden Market bursts into a vibrant Lunar New Year celebration, with Hawley Wharf setting the stage for live music, lion dances, kung fu, and dazzling acrobatic displays. Between Mahjong tables and the market’s ever-tempting street food, visitors can browse traditional wares and join family-friendly workshops in Chinese calligraphy and fan painting.

From lion dances beneath the city skyline to intimate cultural workshops across its neighborhoods, Chinese New Year in London is as big a celebration as the capital itself. Woven from heritage, flavor, and festivity, it is a season best experienced in full splendor.

For even more global inspiration, discover the best places to celebrate Chinese New Year around the world and plan your next radiant escape.

Read: 6 Must-See Lunar New Year Festivals and Traditions in Hong Kong

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