©chinatown
Chinese New Year Parade & Trafalgar Square Celebrations
London’s main Lunar New Year celebration takes over the West End with a spectacular parade through Chinatown, Leicester Square, and Trafalgar Square. Visitors can enjoy colourful floats, lion and dragon dances, martial arts demonstrations, and live music performances, alongside a full programme of free cultural events in Trafalgar Square and surrounding streets.
Date: 22 February 2026
Location: Chinatown, Trafalgar Square & the West End, central London
Distance from St Giles London: Approximately a 10–15-minute walk to Chinatown and a 15–20-minute walk to Trafalgar Square
Price: Free to attend (food, drinks, and some activities are extra)
Website: ChinaTown
©LondonMuseum
Lunar New Year Family Festival – London Museum Docklands
The London Museum Docklands hosts a free, family-friendly Lunar New Year festival celebrating Chinese culture through interactive activities. Visitors can enjoy dragon dances, folktale storytelling, craft workshops, and community performances. While official dates have not yet been confirmed, the event has traditionally taken place over the first weekend following Lunar New Year.
Dates: Expected 21–22 February 2026
Location: London Museum Docklands, West India Quay, E14
Distance from St Giles London: Approximately 26 minutes by Tube
Price: Free entry (advance booking recommended)
Website: LondonMuseum
©Visit Greenwich
Lunar New Year Celebrations – National Maritime Museum, Greenwich
Royal Museums Greenwich usually marks Lunar New Year with a lively programme at the National Maritime Museum. Activities often include lantern-making, hongbao crafts, mahjong demonstrations, talks, and displays of traditional lion dance costumes. These celebrations are free to attend and are particularly well suited to families.
Date: 21 February 2026
Location: National Maritime Museum, Romney Road, Greenwich, SE10 9NF
Distance from St Giles London: Approximately 35–40 minutes by Tube and DLR
Price: Free
Website: National Maritime Museum
Lunar New Year Feasting in Chinatown & Central London
Food is at the heart of Lunar New Year celebrations, and London’s Chinatown comes alive with special set menus and lucky dishes symbolising prosperity and good fortune. Expect dumplings, long noodles, whole fish, and festive sharing menus across Chinatown and other Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai, and Korean restaurants throughout central London. According to Time Out, dining will be a major focus of Chinese New Year celebrations in 2026.
Dates: From around 17 February 2026, with peak celebrations over the weekend of 21–22 February
Location: Chinatown and East & Southeast Asian restaurants across central London
Distance from St Giles London: Chinatown is approximately a 10–15-minute walk; many other restaurants are a short Tube ride away
Price: Varies by restaurant and menu
Website: TimeOut
Celebrate Chinese New Year 2026 from the comfort of St Giles London, perfectly located just moments from Chinatown, the West End, and London’s biggest Lunar New Year celebrations. Book your stay with 20% off using promo code: HORSE and enjoy comfort, convenience, and culture all in one place.
