The Chinese New Year is nearly upon us, the Year of the Sheep starts on Thursday 19 February with celebrations taking place the following Sunday in central London. If you’re travelling from China on business and looking to ring in the New Year in style, then London won’t disappoint and for those not hailing from the East, it’s a pretty good excuse for a party.
London offers the biggest celebration outside of Asia, with most of the festivities taking place in the West End and Chinatown. Start your Sunday bright and early at 10:00, by watching the colourful parade that runs down Charing Cross Road onto Shaftesbury Avenue and reaches its finale in Chinatown.
The official opening ceremony takes place at Trafalgar Square at midday which is set to be an extravaganza of acrobatics, traditional dance, theatre and song recitals. If you find yourself further down the route, then there’s a second stage at Shaftesbury Avenue where local performers and upcoming acts will be taking to the stage.
Wind your way down to Chinatown and explore the many craft stalls and food stands that will line the streets. If you’d like to eat at one of Chinatown’s many restaurants over the weekend, be sure to book ahead. For an upmarket restaurant experience try Ba Shan or Plum Valley. If you’re just looking for a cocktail and some tasty dim sum to keep you going, try Opium Cocktail and Dim Sum Parlour for an off the beaten track hidden treasure. For all you party animals looking for a late night fix, the HK Diner is open til 4am!
For something slightly different the Horniman Museum promises a night of ‘cutting-edge art installations, films and performances showcasing modern Chinese culture in the UK’. The evening event takes place on the 26 February in this eclectic museum in Forrest Hill, southeast London.
If you’re looking to immerse yourself in the celebrations whilst you’re away on business, then a serviced apartment in Soho would ensure you’re close to the action. Browse our serviced apartments in Soho here or take a look at our full portfolio of London serviced apartments.
