How to celebrate Lunar New Year in London: live music, martial arts, cocktails and lion dances

The Year of the Dog celebrations in the British capital will be the biggest outside China, with up to 200,000 visitors enjoying Chinese culture, arts themed food and drinks, exhibitions and performances

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A dragon float forms part of the Lunar New Year parade as it passes the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square in London in 2017.

Published: 8:00pm, 6 Feb 2018Updated: 2:44pm, 7 Feb 2018

February 16 marks the start of the Year of the Dog, and with it comes a fortnight of family gatherings, feasting and canine-themed festivities around the world. Outside China, the biggest organised Lunar New Year celebrations are set to take place in London, according to the London Chinatown Chinese Association (LCCA), attracting some 200,000 people from Britain and around the world. Here’s our pick of what’s on.

Trafalgar Square packed with people celebrating Lunar New Year in London, 2017.

Things to see and do

Although Lunar New Year falls on February 16 this year, the main celebrations in London will take place on Sunday, February 18. Organised by the LCCA, festivities begin at 10am with a vibrant parade of handmade floats, dragon and lion dances, beginning on Charing Cross Road and winding its way through to the Chinese Gate in Chinatown. From there, a short walk takes you to Trafalgar Square, where a packed itinerary of performances starts at noon.

Lydia Kasumi Shirreff with her Lunar New Year lantern-inspired installation for Yauatcha.

“As well as all the traditional elements, such as cultural dance from China’s top performance troupe and flying lions at Trafalgar Square, we will also be introducing a variety of contemporary performances with bands playing this year,” says LCCA deputy festival director Joseph Wu. This will include live bands and acts from Hong Kong and the UK, as well as a DJ set from television personality Gok Wan. Wrap up warm – the day’s celebrations will be followed by a pyrotechnic display in the evening.

Lunar New Year decorations in Chinatown.

Throughout the day, nearby Shaftesbury Avenue will host a martial arts and culture zone featuring tai chi chuan performances, while a community stage at Charing Cross Road will showcase local British-Chinese talent. The Leicester Square family zone promises to entertain children of all ages, with performers dressed in traditional Chinese costumes as well as a mini funfair games area.