Chinese New Year in London
Here's where to eat, drink and celebrate Chinese New Year 2018 in London
The Year of the Dog is coming up for 2018 and, as usual, Chinese New Year in London will be one of the most exciting events in February, full of colour, noise and dragons. Chinatown will be bulging with decorations and dancers to mark the start of the Chinese New Year (it begins on Friday February 16 2018).
Remember, if you’re hoping for a meal at one of the best restaurants in Chinatown during the parade, you'll need to book ahead, as things seriously busy.
Here's our round-up of parties and places to welcome in the Chinese New Year, including tips on watching the parade. And for more insider advice, remember to read-up on the best of Chinese London.
Chinese New Year 2018 in central London
Insider's tips for celebrating Chinese New Year in central London
What's the best way to enjoy the incredible but incredibly busy Chinese New Year Parade through central London? Joseph Wu from the London Chinatown Chinese Association – the group that organises the Chinatown festivities – gives us his insider knowlege on where and how to celebrate.
Other Chinese New Year celebrations
Magical Lantern Festival
The UK's Chinese Lantern festival floats back to Chiswick House and Garden for a second year - this time, with VR, theatre, performances and over 50 light installations. Look out for the giant fire rooster to celebrate the New Year.
Find more great Chinese food around London
London's best Chinese restaurants
Chopsticks at the ready! There’s Cantonese dim sum, classic Beijing-style roast duck, spicy Sichuan cuisine and plenty more to choose from in our round-up of London's best Chinese food.
Comments
The Diner
The Soho branch of a chain of nine London venues evoking – yep, you guessed it – the classic US diner. That means an aesthetic nod to the '50s, mostly from booth seating, Chuck Berry posters and menu items advertised on a retro marquee. The food is diner fare too, albeit with plenty of dude-food influence. Expect, then, buttermilk pancakes, breakfast burritos and baskets of wings, corn dogs and tater tots with bacon and jalapeno alongside baby back ribs, fried pork and waffles and a large range of burgers and hot dogs. Desserts include a raspberry ripple cheesecake and banana splits. The drinks list offers a good craft beer selection, including drops from Camden Town Brewery, Beavertown, Brooklyn and Lagunitas. Hard shakes, cocktails, hard teas and a few wines also feature but if you're looking for drinks-that-double-as-desserts then a Snickers shake (three scoops of chocolate ice cream, Nutella, peanut butter and maple syrup) should just about do it.
Yesterday saw a brilliant start to the Chinese New Year celebrations. For the first time I saw the Lion Dance in Chinatown. It was really cool to see how the dancers prepped prior the dance and the ‘blessing’ they got before they got started. It was fascinating to see businesses offer red packets and lettuce for the lions. Chinatown was awash with colour and had a great vibe. Shops sell special rooster trinkets and toys. As expected it is very crowded so get there early to get a good spot if you want to watch the dances and look after your bag.
We are going to go to Portugal in a road trip by a rental car (https://rental24h.com/portugal/lisbon-airport)in the end of January. I got inspired by your article and may be we will come to Lisbon and celebrate Chinese New Year there.
LISTEN TO THIS
song to celebrate New year
http://msclvr.co/4LKz4u
Where can you park?
I thought it was the year of the goat, not the year of the sheep .... maybe I'm wrong?
@Helen W It's the Rooster