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Lunar New Year - the Festival of Spring

Traditional Chinese Dragon for Lunar New Year, in white and blue

Please note that this event has already occured.

Key information

Start date: Saturday 01 February 2025 at 10:00am

End date: Sunday 02 February 2025 at 6:00pm

Venue: Trafalgar Square, Westminster, London, WC2N 5DN, GB

Cost: Free

About the event

The Festival of Spring, also known as Lunar New Year or Chinese New Year, is a time of celebration and tradition. It is the main celebration for the Chinese community in London each year.

This year, the festival starts on 29 January and marks the beginning of the Year of the Snake.

Celebrate the festival in London's Chinatown and the surrounding areas on 2 February. The festival is a great opportunity to have a family day.

You can:

  • see a lion’s parade
  • enjoy live music, dance and entertainment
  • enjoy sample markets and food stalls
  • go to family workshops.

There will also be a Lion Dance on 1 February.


List of events

Find out what's on, including the location and time.

1 February 2025

Lion Dance

Location: Throughout Chinatown
Time: 11.00am - 17.00am

2 February 2025

Chinese New Year Parade

Location: Trafalgar Square and Chinatown
Time: 10.00am - 11.45am from East of Trafalgar Square

Ceremonial and main stage

Location: Trafalgar Square

Time: 12:00 midday - 6.00pm

  • 12.00 midday: Speeches and Lions’ Eyes-Dotting Ceremony
  • Dragon and Flying Lions Dance
  • Cultural performances 
  • Finale 
  • 6.00pm: End of the celebration

There will also be art and craft stalls, festive stands and hot food available.

Lion dance and cuisine

Location: Chinatown 
Time: 12.00 midday - 6.00pm

Community stage and exhibition

Location: Dean Street and Shaftesbury Avenue
Time: 12:00 midday - 6.00pm

Enjoy cultural performances, a parade float exhibition and festive stalls.

Cultural workshops and family activities

Location: Leicester Square 
Time: 12.00 midday - 5.00pm


Plan your journey

The area around Chinatown and Trafalgar Square gets very busy during London's Chinese New Year celebrations.

Make sure you plan your route in advance using Transport for London's Journey Planner.


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