London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Wednesday, Jul 02, 2025

Chinese New Year 2020 in London: Where to celebrate the Year of the Rat

Chinese New Year 2020 in London: Where to celebrate the Year of the Rat

Chinese New Year 2020 takes place on Saturday 25 January but celebrations run for two weeks across the capital.

London festivities are the biggest outside Asia and this year, the Year of the Rat, is no different.

BFI Southbank
13-26 January – £10-25

The British Film Institute Southbank has a programme of screenings showcasing some of the best of Chinese cinema.

This includes Little Q, a drama about a grumpy chef who starts to lose his sight and finds a new lease of life in his guide dog, and the 2017 documentary Four Springs which follows a couple preparing for New Year over a four year period.

A matinee screening of Mountains May Depart is free for over-60s.


National Maritime Museum
25 January – Free entry

The museum is hosting a day of family activities including arts and crafts and a performance from Step Out Arts and the Guizhou Song and Dance Ensemble.

There will also be origami, flag printing, Chinese storytelling and the chance to learn to play the game Mahjong.

The day of celebration runs from 11am-4pm with sessions in Mandarin and English.


Duke of York Square
25 January – Free entry

The square’s regular Saturday Fine Food Market is getting an Asian makeover with a special Chinese market serving traditional delicacies and entertainment alongside the usual traders. The market will open 10am-4pm.


W London’s ‘One Night in Shanghai’
25 January – Free

Leicester Square’s The Perception at W London is hosting a Shanghai-inspired Chinese New Year party. Celebrate into the early hours with DJs, dragon dancers and Eastern-inspired cocktails.


Lunar New Year Premieres with Tangram
25 January – £12-16

The rising artist collective Tangram will perform at London Symphony Orchestra St Luke’s for a new year concert. The show will weave together Chinese and contemporary classical music and remix ideas of what music can be.

There is a panel discussion with composers and ethnomusicologists before the performance.


London’s Chinese New Year Parade
26 January – Free

As London’s main hub of celebration, Chinatown will be full of lion dances, street performers, craft stalls, Chinese zodiac animals and music.

The colourful carnival parade begins on Charing Cross Road at 10am.

It will make its way down Shaftesbury Avenue where there will be a cultural zone of stages, DJs and taekwondo demonstrations, before floating down to finish in Trafalgar Square.


The National Gallery
26 January – Free

Celebrate at the gallery’s family festival day in collaboration with London Chinatown Chinese Association and Happy Mandarin.

There will be children’s Chinese dance shows, sweet dumpling workshops and Mandarin story and rhyme sessions. Places are limited so advanced booking is recommended.


The Cutty Sark
1-2 February – Free with admission to the ship (£6.75-15)

Cutty Sark is running art workshops inspired by the tea clipper’s voyages to China where families can decorate their own Chinese fans.


Museum of London Docklands
8-9 February – Free

Enjoy performances, martial arts demonstrations and creative workshops across the weekend at the museum’s family-friendly event. Suitable for all ages, activities start at 11am.

Some sessions will be available to book in advance and may have a small charge.


Kym’s
Until 9 February – £45pp

Chef Andrew Wong has created a special five-course feast to celebrate Chinese New Year.

Dishes include a prosperity salad, black truffled pumpkin with egg emulsion, Fuji apple with orange sorbet and the signature three treasure trio of roasted meats. Staff will also be handing out fortune cookies filled with prizes.

The menu is available for lunch and dinner every day, excluding Saturday lunch time.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Poland Implements Border Checks Amid Growing Migration Tensions
Political Dispute Escalates Between Trump and Musk
Emirates Airline Expands Market Share with New $20 Million Campaign
Amazon Reaches Milestone with Deployment of One Millionth Robot
US Senate Votes to Remove AI Regulation Moratorium from Domestic Policy Bill
Yulia Putintseva Calls for Spectator Ejection at Wimbledon Over Safety Concerns
Jury Deliberations in Diddy Trial Yield Partial Verdict in Serious Criminal Charges
House Oversight Committee Subpoenas Former Jill Biden Aide Amid Investigation into Alleged Concealment of President Biden's Cognitive Health
King Charles Plans Significant Role for Prince Harry in Coronation
Two Chinese Nationals Arrested for Espionage Activities Against U.S. Navy
Amazon Reaches Major Automation Milestone with Over One Million Robots
Extreme Heat Wave Sweeps Across Europe, Hitting Record Temperatures
Meta Announces Formation of Ambitious AI Unit, Meta Superintelligence Labs
Robots Compete in Football Tournament in China Amid Injuries
Trump Administration Considers Withdrawal of Funding for Hospitals Providing Gender Treatment to Minors
Texas Enacts Law Allowing Gold and Silver Transactions
China Unveils Miniature Insect-Like Surveillance Drone
OpenAI Secures Multimillion-Dollar AI Contracts with Pentagon, India, and Grab
Marc Marquez Claims Victory at Dutch Grand Prix Amidst Family Misfortune
Germany Votes to Suspend Family Reunification for Asylum Seekers
Elon Musk Critiques Senate Budget Proposal Over Job Losses and Strategic Risks
Los Angeles Riots ended with Federal Investigations into Funding
Budapest Pride Parade Draws 200,000 Participants Amid Government Ban
Southern Europe Experiences Extreme Heat
Xiaomi's YU7 SUV Launch Garners Record Pre-Orders Amid Market Challenges
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's Lavish Wedding in Venice
Russia Launches Largest Air Assault on Ukraine Since Invasion
Education Secretary Announces Overhaul of Complaints System Amid Rising Parental Grievances
Massive Anti-Government Protests Erupt in Belgrade
Trump Ends Trade Talks with Canada Over Digital Services Tax
UK Government Softens Welfare Reform Plans Amid Labour Party Rebellion
Labour Faces Rebellion Over Disability Benefit Reforms Ahead of Key Vote
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Host Lavish Wedding in Venice Amid Protests
Trump Asserts Readiness for Further Strikes on Iran Amid Nuclear Tensions
North Korea to Open New Beach Resort to Boost Tourism Economy
UK Labour Party Faces Internal Tensions Over Welfare Reforms
Andrew Cuomo Hints at Potential November Comeback Amid Democratic Primary Results
Curtis Sliwa Champions His Vision for New York City Amid Rising Crime Concerns
Federal Reserve Proposes Changes to Capital Rule Affecting Major Banks
EU TO HUNGARY: LET THEM PRIDE OR PREP FOR SHADE. ORBÁN TO EU: STAY IN YOUR LANE AND FIX YOUR OWN MESS.
Trump Escalates Criticism of Media Over Iran Strike Coverage
Trump Announces Upcoming US-Iran Meeting Amid Controversial Airstrikes
Trump Moves to Reshape Middle East Following Israel-Iran Conflict
Big Four Accounting Firms Fined in Exam Cheating Scandal
NATO Members Agree to 5% Defense Spending Target by 2035
Australia's Star Casino Secures $195 Million Rescue Package Amid Challenges
UK to Enhance Nuclear Capabilities with Acquisition of F-35A Fighter Jets
Russian Shadow Payments via Cryptocurrency Reach $9 Billion
Explosions Rock Doha as Iranian Missiles Target Qatar
“You Have 12 Hours to Flee”: Israeli Threat Campaign Targets Surviving Iranian Officials
×