Chinese Lunar New Year is an annual event. It is also called the Spring Festival since it falls between the December solstice and the March equinox. Chinese New Year 2025 is the year of the Snake. The snake represents knowledge and change. It provides opportunities for adaptation and personal development. Every year, hundreds of people go to London to attend the biggest Chinese New Year celebrations outside of Asia. The London Chinatown Chinese Association is in charge of organising these free Chinese New Year festivities in London. There is no public holiday in the UK for Lunar New Year. Traffic may be disrupted by parades and public events in Chinatown and city centres.
Let us look at the different Chinese New Year celebrations in the UK in 2025.
What is the Chinese New Year?
The Chinese New Year is the most significant festival in the Chinese culture. The celebration marks the end of winter and the beginning of a new lunar calendar cycle. This event is based on customs that date back hundreds of years. It is a time to reconnect with family, honour ancestors, and make plans for a prosperous, healthy, and joyous new year. Visitors looking for ideas on how to celebrate Chinese New Year can visit the bustling Chinatowns, take part in kid-friendly workshops, and savour festive markets brimming with authentic Chinese cuisine.
What to Expect in the UK During the Chinese New Year in 2025?
Chinese communities in the United Kingdom hold New Year parades and public celebrations near the start of the Chinese calendar year. For ideas on how to celebrate Chinese New Year, visitors can explore the Chinatowns in the UK.
1) Performances of traditional and contemporary Chinese dance and music.
2) Lion dances take place in city centres and commercial malls.
3) Traditional Chinese delicacies such as Yuan Xiao and Nian Gao are sampled during communal dinners.
4) Short seminars and lectures about Chinese history, language, and culture.
5) Lantern and fireworks displays.
6) Displays of crafts and artwork by Chinese or Chinese-American artisans.
Top Cities to Celebrate the Chinese New Year in the UK
The UK cities celebrate the Chinese New Year, offering memorable experiences across England, Scotland, and Wales. Here are the top destinations to immerse yourself in the festive spirit.
1) London
London in January is a hub for Chinese New Year celebrations. Red lanterns and decorations fill Trafalgar Square, Leicester Square, Soho, and Chinatown. It is the largest Chinese New Year celebration outside of Asia, with traditional dances, music, and martial arts shows filling the streets.
- Highlight Events – Dragon and lion dances, firecrackers, and traditional dance performances.
- Special Attractions – Pagoda-style decorations in Chinatown, food vendors serving real Chinese cuisine.
- Pro Tip – Arrive early to get the best viewing spot, as thousands gather for the event.
2) Manchester
Manchester is home to one of the most well-known Chinese New Year celebrations in the United Kingdom. This event which is the second largest in the nation is held in Chinatown. With parades and shows that draw thousands of people, the entire region becomes a centre of culture. Visit the Chinese Arts Centre and Manchester Museum to see displays about Chinese culture.
- Highlight Events – The grand parade featuring a 175-foot dragon, and lion dance troupes.
- Special Attractions – Stunning lantern display, lion dances, cultural shows, food vendors serving traditional fare like bao buns and dim sum, and the illuminated Dragon Dance at Exchange Square.
- Pro Tip – Do not miss the fireworks show at night.
3) Birmingham
The bustling Chinese neighbourhood in Birmingham will host a large procession featuring traditional music, martial arts demonstrations, and dragon dances. There will be food, music, and cultural events in Victoria Square. Exhibitions with a Chinese theme are regularly held at the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery around this time. It provides visitors with an understanding of the cultural significance of the festival.
- Highlight Events – Contemporary performances, traditional Chinese music, and martial arts displays.
- Special Attractions – Food markets and the Chinese Dragon Dance that winds through the heart of Chinatown.
- Pro Tip – Town Hall and Central Library in Birmingham glow in red and gold, making them the ideal location for clicking pictures.
4) Edinburgh
The capital of Scotland provides a distinctive Chinese New Year experience. The Glasgow Chinese New Year celebration is the most well-liked. It features live music, cultural displays, and traditional performances such as dragon dances and acrobats. A must-see is the Botanic Gardens Chinese Garden.
- Highlight Events – Special tours, performances at prestigious locations such as the National Museum of Scotland, and exhibits of traditional Chinese art.
- Special Attractions – The Lantern Festival at Edinburgh Zoo, which features intricate, illuminated animal displays.
- Pro Tip – Wear warm clothing because the celebrations occur outdoors in chilly weather.
5) Liverpool
Liverpool has a long history of celebrating Chinese New Year. The well-known Chinese Arch, which is among the biggest outside of China, is beautifully decorated.
- Highlight Events – Street parades, cultural shows, and family activities.
- Special Attractions – The decorated Chinese Arch and light displays in the Baltic Triangle.
- Pro Tip – Check the Liverpool Chinese New Year official website for information on the parade route and times.
Common Chinese New Year Prohibited Activities
1) Wait until the fifth day to clean the house. You risk losing your newfound luck if you sweep, take out the garbage, or do the laundry before the fifth day.
2) Avoid using sharp items. Using blades or scissors is thought to stop the flow of success and money. For the same reason, the majority of barbershops in China close on holidays.
3) Avoid shattering glass or ceramics. It is said that breaking anything breaks your link to luck. Say Sui Sui Ping An in prayer for safety and serenity if this occurs.
Advice for travel to the UK in 2025 for the Chinese New Year
Here are some suggestions to help you get the most out of your trip if you choose to travel to the UK during Chinese New Year in 2025.
1) Bring warm clothing.
2) Be sure to bring an umbrella or waterproof clothing.
3) Make sure to reserve your lodging in advance.
4) Learn Chinese New Year greetings such as Sun Nin Faai Lok or Xin Nian Kuai Le.
5) Wear a red colour outfit, shoes, a pullover or a scarf. Chinese New Year is celebrated with the colour red.
6) Savour the delicious Chinese New Year cuisine.
7) Buy something red. Gift people money in a red envelope.
8) Check the local schedules for exhibits, parades, and festivals before you travel.
Conclusion
Visiting the UK in winter provides a special opportunity to take part in Chinese New Year celebrations. Experience the joyous atmosphere of the Lunar New Year by travelling to several UK cities. It will leave you with priceless memories.