Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year History

Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is the reunion of families, paying respects to ancestors, and welcoming in the new year with joy and prosperity. This festival is marked by various customs and rituals including the preparation of a reunion dinner, the giving of red envelopes known as 'hongbao' filled with money for good luck, and spectacular firework displays to ward off evil spirits.

The Chinese New Year's importance dates back to ancient China, with historical evidence suggesting it began as early as the Shang Dynasty over 3,000 years ago, where it was celebrated to honour deities and ancestors. For the British-Chinese population and those in the UK intrigued by the rich culturally diverse celebration, the Chinese New Year provides a culturally thrilling experience. The practice of gifting 'hongbao', or red envelopes, has even reached British shores, not only within Chinese communities but among those wishing to celebrate or learn more about Chinese traditions and customs.

In the United Kingdom, Chinese New Year is celebrated with festive vigour, especially in cities with significant Chinese communities like London, Manchester, and Liverpool. Events include dragon and lion dances, colourful parades, music and dance performances, and lantern festivals. Authentic Chinese food is also a significant part of these celebrations. The Chinese New Year does not have a fixed date, and in the UK it is observed based on the lunar calendar, similar to China, usually falling between January 21 and February 20. Each year is associated with one of the 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac, which adds an exciting dimension to the celebrations.

Top 8 Facts for 2026 Chinese New Year in the UK

• The upcoming festival ushers in the Year of the Horse, specifically the Fire Horse, an event that occurs only once every sixty years and is traditionally associated with a period of intense energy and rapid social progress.
• London’s West End is expected to host the largest Chinese New Year celebrations outside of Asia, featuring a grand parade that typically showcases the highest concentration of Chinese lions and dragons in Europe.
• The 2026 festivities are uniquely marked by a celestial alignment, as the concluding Lantern Festival on 3 March coincides with a total lunar eclipse, often referred to as a blood moon.
• Individuals born in a previous Year of the Horse will be entering their Ben Ming Nian, a traditional zodiac birth year that is ironically considered to be a period of potential bad luck unless specific customs, such as wearing red clothing, are observed.
• A central highlight of the London festivities is the Lions’ Eye-Dotting Ceremony, a ritual where dignitaries use red paint to "awaken" the lions and ensure they bring good fortune to the community for the coming year.
• UK diners often seek out specific symbolic dishes during the period, such as Jiaozi dumplings which resemble ancient gold ingots to represent wealth, and uncut Cheung Sou Meen, or longevity noodles, which must be eaten whole to ensure a long life.
• While the official New Year’s Day is Tuesday 17 February, the most significant public events in the United Kingdom are scheduled for the following weekend, with the primary London Chinatown Chinese New Year Celebration set to take place on Sunday 22 February.
• Traditional etiquette for the Hongbao or Lai See red envelopes dictates that money should only be given in even amounts, as odd numbers are traditionally associated with funeral offerings and are considered highly inauspicious.

In the News and Trending in the UK for Chinese New Year

Top things to do in the UK for Chinese New Year

• Clean your house. It is customary for Chinese to clean their homes in preparation for the New Year and the fresh start.
• Get together with friends and create a long dragon on sticks. One person gets to create the head, and the others can create the long flowy tail. Remember to use bright colors.
• Watch a film about the Chinese New Year:
  A Bite of China: Celebrating the Chinese New Year - This documentary explores the customs around the Chinese New Year holiday, as seen through the eyes of immigrants and their families living in Great Britain.
• Attend Trafalgar Square Celebrations, London: This free event features Chinese New Year highlights including the traditional Dragon and Lion dances and stage performances by music bands, Peking Opera, and Kung Fu troupes.