Chinese New Year in the UK is one of the most colorful events of the winter. Britain's Chinese communities, some of the oldest in Europe, put on huge free parties with lion and dragon dances, firecrackers, lanterns, martial arts, and plenty of street food. In 2027, Lunar New Year falls on Saturday 6 February, welcoming the Year of the Goat, and most cities hold their main celebrations on the nearest weekend.
Here is how to celebrate Chinese New Year in the UK, from London's giant festival to smaller but just as lively events in Manchester, Birmingham, Liverpool, Newcastle, and Sheffield.
Jump to a city:
The Best Places to Celebrate Chinese New Year in the UK
London
London hosts one of the biggest Lunar New Year celebrations outside Asia. A parade of dragons, lions, and floats winds through the West End, and a stage in Trafalgar Square hosts dance, music, and martial arts performances all afternoon. Chinatown, around Gerrard Street, is packed with lanterns, lion dances visiting the shops, and food stalls.
The celebrations are free and organized by the London Chinatown Chinese Association. Arrive early to find a good spot along the parade route, and book a dim sum lunch in advance.
Manchester
Manchester has one of the biggest Chinatowns in the UK, and its Chinese New Year celebrations are a highlight of the winter. A giant dragon parade snakes through the city center, followed by fireworks, music, lantern displays, and stalls in and around Chinatown. Look out for workshops in calligraphy, fai chun (New Year couplet) writing, and paper cutting.
Birmingham
Tens of thousands of people head to Birmingham's Chinese Quarter, around Hurst Street and the Arcadian, for the city's free festival. Expect dragon and lion dances, the traditional dim jing ceremony to "awaken" the lions, kung fu and tai chi displays, and street food from dim sum to Chinese New Year biscuits. In recent years, the Birmingham Hippodrome has added a giant panda sculpture for selfies.
Liverpool
Liverpool is home to the oldest Chinese community in Europe, and its Chinatown gate is the largest Chinese arch outside China. The celebrations around Nelson Street include lion dances, firecrackers, lantern displays, and family events. Stay for dinner: Liverpool's Chinese restaurants are some of the best in the country.
Newcastle
Newcastle's celebrations center on Stowell Street, the city's Chinatown. A parade of lions, dragons, drummers, and dancers usually sets off from Grey's Monument and ends at the Chinese arch, where the party continues with crafts, calligraphy, and street food into the evening.
Sheffield
Sheffield has been running its Lunar Chinese New Year celebrations for more than 20 years and takes pride in authentic performances. Past events have included acrobatic lion dances on high poles, martial arts displays, and lantern lighting ceremonies.
Quieter Ways to Celebrate
Visit a museum
Many museums and galleries host Lunar New Year family days, workshops, and talks. The British Museum and the V&A in London have outstanding Chinese collections, and many city museums run special events. Check their websites in January.
Celebrate with a feast at home
Lunar New Year is all about family and food. Make dumplings together (they are shaped like gold ingots, a symbol of wealth), serve long noodles for long life, and finish with nian gao, a sticky rice cake that wishes everyone a better year. Asian supermarkets sell New Year snacks, decorations, and red envelopes (hongbao) for lucky money.
For more ideas, read about traditional Chinese New Year food and what each dish means.
Tips for Chinese New Year in the UK
- Check the date of your city's event. Most UK celebrations take place on the weekend closest to Lunar New Year, not always on the day itself.
- Arrive early. Parades and lion dances draw big crowds, especially in London.
- Wear red. It is the color of luck and happiness.
- Book restaurants. Chinatown restaurants are very busy on festival weekends.
- Stay connected. Visitors can use an egoViet UK eSIM for maps and event updates. Traveling on to Asia for the holiday? Try the Asia eSIM or a Hong Kong eSIM.
FAQs: Chinese New Year in the UK
Where is the biggest Chinese New Year celebration in the UK?
London's celebration, centered on Chinatown, the West End, and Trafalgar Square, is the biggest in the UK and one of the largest outside Asia. Manchester and Birmingham also hold very large events.
When is Chinese New Year 2027 in the UK?
Lunar New Year falls on Saturday 6 February 2027. UK cities usually hold their main celebrations on or around that weekend, so check local event pages for dates.
Are Chinese New Year celebrations in the UK free?
Yes. The parades, lion dances, and stage performances in London, Manchester, Birmingham, Liverpool, Newcastle, and Sheffield are free. You only pay for food, drinks, and workshops.
What should I eat for Chinese New Year?
Lucky foods include dumplings for wealth, whole fish for abundance, long noodles for long life, nian gao for success, and tangyuan for family togetherness.