London is said to have one of the biggest Lunar New Year celebrations outside Asia and once again this year thousands are expected to gather and watch the parade snake through the streets of Chinatown.

Sunday will mark the beginning of the Spring Festival, which runs for 23 days celebrating the entry into the Year of the Rabbit of the Chinese lunisolar calendar.

If you would rather avoid crowds this year, a range of Asian cultural centres and museums are organising New Year activities for all ages across North London.

Islington

In Islington, the Brunswick shopping centre is partnering with Tian Tian Market to offer traditional music and dances to welcome the Year of the Rabbit. The performances will start from 4:30pm on Friday 20th January.

Visit https://brunswick.co.uk/2023/01/celebrate-chinese-new-year-at-the-brunswick/ for information.

Hackney

The following week, Hackney’s Museum of the Home is offering a full day of food tasting, workshops, and talks centred around East and South East Asian cultures with a focus on climate change and sustainability.

Visit https://www.museumofthehome.org.uk/whats-on/events/green-lunar-new-year-celebration/ for information.

Islington Gazette: Chinese lanternsChinese lanterns (Image: Pixabay)

On the same day, Hackney Chinese Community School students will perform traditional lion dances and songs and distribute traditional New Year snacks to visitors at the Creative Block in Haggerston School.

Brent Cross

The London Chinese Community Centre will be present on Trafalgar Square on the day of the parade for a charity sale as well as in Brent Cross Shopping Centre on January 28th for a free-for-all performance with dancers and musicians.

Islington Gazette: Lunar New Year celebrations in Trafalgar SquareLunar New Year celebrations in Trafalgar Square (Image: Pixabay)

A number of craft workshops will be offered to people of all ages to get into the spirit of the festivities and welcome the new year into their homes.

Crouch End

Children bookshop Pickled Pepper Books in Crouch End will offer a storytime and craft party this Saturday for children aged 2 to 7 to discover Chinese culture and take part in welcoming the Year of the Rabbit.

Visit https://www.pickledpepperbooks.co.uk/products/chinese-new-year-storytime-crafts-party-saturday-21st-jan-age-2-7-years-crouch-end for information.

Waltham Forest

Libraries across the borough of Waltham Forest are inviting children to free craft workshops where they can build dragon puppets throughout the week.

Harrow

At Harrow’s Headstone Manor and Museum, young and old will be taught how to make lanterns, another traditional symbol of the Spring Festival.

Visit https://headstonemanor.org/events/family-workshop-chinese-new-year-lanterns/ for more information.

To book, visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/cc/chinese-new-year-craft-collection-1496819

Shoreditch

To celebrate the Lantern Festival which marks the end of the Spring Festival, Shoreditch language school Dear Asia organises a food tour around Chinatown, taking guests to some of their favourite hidden food vendors.

Visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/chinatown-food-crawl-lantern-festival-special-tickets-515049184977?aff=ebdsoporgprofile for bookings.