The Chinese New Year marks the Year of the Horse on Bingwu of the lunar calendar. The warm spring breeze penetrates the coolness of late winter in England and spreads the oriental charm of the new year to the urban streets. From the New Year's Eve lights on the banks of the Thames, to the fireworks and temple fairs in traditional markets, to the grand celebrations in landmark squares, the Chinese Spring Festival has entered the public spaces of British cities, creating a unique New Year scene.
On New Year's Eve, both sides of the Thames River were filled with lights. The red and gold lights symbolizing auspiciousness and joy were lit up as scheduled. The water ripples reflected the lights, and the city's landmark London Eye was dressed in New Year's attire. In the streets and alleys along the river, dancing lions dance to the beat of sonorous drums and dance among the crowds of people, where traditional customs and modern cities quietly blend together. Many local people stopped to watch and take photos. They said that the London Eye and the New Year lighting on the riverside have long become the most oriental cultural event in winter.
On the fifth day of the first lunar month, Camden Market is bustling with people, red lights are hung high and Spring Festival couplets are seen. At the temple fair, the singing of operas was melodious and melodious, the melodies of folk music were clear and moving, and traditional arts bloomed with unique brilliance on the streets of foreign countries. In the intangible cultural heritage experience area, calligraphy writings on blessings and handmade exquisite objects attract people of different skin colors and ages to actively participate.
On the sixth day of the first lunar month, Trafalgar Square welcomes the largest New Year celebration of the Year of the Horse in the UK. The parade started from the square, with leaping dragons and lions, and colorful floats, winding all the way to Chinatown, where the sounds of gongs and drums, laughter, and cheers intertwined and echoed. On the main stage, the lion dance was solemn and solemn, the martial arts performances were vigorous and powerful, and the cultural programs were brilliant, which vividly displayed the charm and splendor of Eastern culture. In the evening, Chinatown lights are brightly lit and shops welcome customers. The warmth of reunion and nostalgia continue in the night.
During the Chinese New Year, British dignitaries specially sent letters to send blessings and extend best wishes for the New Year of the Horse to overseas Chinese and all citizens.
On February 21, local time, the 2026 London Camden Market Chinese New Year Temple Fair was held, supported by the China Tourism Office in London. Pictured is an artistic performance. Photo by China News Service reporter Ouyang Kaiyu
The New Year is coming not only in London, but also across the British Isles. Dragons and lions danced in Birmingham's Chinatown, and cities such as York, Edinburgh, and Cardiff successively lit up New Year lights and staged cultural performances. Heathrow Airport, King's Cross station and other transportation hubs have red lights hanging high, which is full of new year atmosphere.
Reporters who covered different New Year events in the UK had the same feeling. From overseas Chinese to local people, from long-term residents to travelers, people from different backgrounds gathered together for the New Year event. Today's Chinese New Year is no longer just a holiday for overseas travelers, but has become a public cultural celebration integrated into British society.
On February 22, local time, the Chinese New Year celebration hosted by the London Chinatown Chamber of Commerce was held in Trafalgar Square. The picture shows local customers rushing to buy New Year souvenirs. Photo by China News Service reporter Ouyang Kaiyu
"Traditional New Year customs take root in public spaces, and Eastern culture is passed down from generation to generation in cross-cultural exchanges. It not only carries the unchanging feelings of the overseas Chinese about home and country, but also builds a solid bridge between the peoples of China and the UK." Zhu Hua, an academician of the British Academy of Social Sciences and a professor at the School of Education, University College London, told reporters from China News Service that today's Spring Festival has become an important "living language" for Sino-British exchanges, telling new and moving stories of the integration of civilizations. (over)
