Lunar New Year in London Chinatown is the largest celebration of its kind outside Asia. Around 700,000 people pour into Soho over the long weekend. The streets are red. The lions dance. The dumplings sell out by 4pm.
If you are visiting for the first time, here is how to do it properly.
When is Lunar New Year?
Lunar New Year follows the Chinese lunisolar calendar, so the date moves each year. It usually falls between late January and mid February. The main London parade is held on the Sunday closest to the actual New Year's Day.
The 2027 celebration falls on Sunday 7 February 2027 - mark it down.
Where does it happen?
Chinatown London is bordered by:
- Shaftesbury Avenue (south)
- Charing Cross Road (east)
- Wardour Street (west)
- Lisle Street and Gerrard Street (the heart of it)
The parade route runs from Trafalgar Square up through Chinatown and ends with stage performances on Shaftesbury Avenue. Lion dancers visit individual restaurants throughout the day - including ours.
What to eat
Lunar New Year food is symbolic. Each dish represents something:
- Dumplings - shaped like ancient gold ingots, they represent wealth
- Long noodles - long life (do not cut them)
- Whole fish - surplus and prosperity
- Spring rolls - gold bars
- Rou jia mo and lamb dishes - associated with the Year of the Sheep, but eaten year round in Northern Chinese tradition
At The Greedy Sheep, we run a Lunar New Year set menu featuring hand-pulled noodles, pan-fried dumplings, and our slow-braised lamb shoulder. Booking is essential. The day sells out.
What to do
Beyond the food, here is the schedule of events most years:
1. 10am - Parade assembles at Charing Cross Road 2. 11am - Lion and dragon dance procession through Chinatown 3. 12pm to 6pm - Stage performances on Shaftesbury Avenue 4. 2pm to 5pm - Firecracker ceremonies in Gerrard Street 5. 6pm onwards - Restaurant celebrations, lantern displays
The lion dance is the highlight. Two performers operate each costume, weaving between crowds and into restaurants. It is loud, fast, and incredible to watch up close.
Halal options during Lunar New Year
Most restaurants in Chinatown are not halal, which makes choosing where to eat difficult if you keep halal. The Greedy Sheep is the only 100% halal Chinese restaurant in Chinatown. Every dish we serve over Lunar New Year is halal certified.
If you are bringing a mixed group, we are an easy choice. No one has to compromise.
Practical tips
- Get there early. By 11am the streets are full
- Book restaurants in advance. Walk-ins are nearly impossible on the day
- Wear red. It is the colour of luck
- Bring cash for street food. Some stalls do not take card
- Use Leicester Square or Tottenham Court Road tube. Avoid Piccadilly Circus
For the rest of the year, we are at 8 Little Newport Street, in the middle of Chinatown. Open 12pm to 10pm daily.
Come hungry. Leave greedy.
