The Best Ways to Celebrate The Chinese New Year in London

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I always get excited for Chinese New Year in London. The Chinese New Year is one of the most exciting and colourful events in London, and this year, the ‘Year of the Pig’ plans to be no different.

Chinatown will be buzzing with activities, decorations and dancers to mark the start of the Chinese New Year (which falls on 5th Feb 2015, however the main parade through central London takes place on 10 Feb 2019).

This is one of the great things to do in London this weekend.

The Chinese New Year parade and the magical lantern festival, are the two events I think are worth visiting and the best way to celebrate the Chinese New Year, and here’s why.

London’s Chinese New Year Parade

Ring in the ‘Year of the Pig’, at this year’s Chinese New Year celebrations in the West End, with music, flying lion dancers, acrobatics and martial art acts.

The grand parade set off from Trafalgar Square, snaking along Charing Cross Road and Shaftesbury Avenue before arriving at Chinatown.

A Little Vlog of the Chinese New Years Celebrations

As the parade makes its way to Chinatown, you’ll pass by craft stalls, Chinese food stalls and pop-ups, you’ll also get to see traditional dance and local up-and-coming artist perform.

The celebration starts at 10 am and will be in full swing by 12 pm at Trafalgar Square.

Wear and Buy something RED – this is the colour of the Chinese New Year and signifies good luck for the coming year.

Practice saying ‘Happy New Year’, in Cantonese its ‘San Nina Faai Lok’ and in Mandarin, it’s ‘Xin Nian Kuai Le’.

The best thing about this event is that it’s free and finishes at 6 pm, however, Chinatown will still be buzzing with activities long after this time.

Happy New Year