Lunar New Year celebrations around the world
Prepare yourself for the Lunar New Year festivities in Chinatowns across the world with our handy guide below.
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London
The main Lunar New Year celebrations take place in London’s Chinatown – the historic streets that sit between the tourist hubs of Leicester Square and hip Soho. The Lunar New Year parade passes from there via the West End to Trafalgar Square, where stage performances and all-day entertainment await.
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Los Angeles
Lunar New Year celebrations in Chinatown kick off with a midnight ceremony at Thien Hau Temple . And while there is, of course, a parade , if you’re after something different, the city’s Beverly Center mall hosts a special WeChat mascot and sticker workshop. Universal Studios is also celebrating the festival with a Kung Fu Panda event and LA’s Chinatown hosts a block party to celebrate.
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San Francisco
San Francisco hosts one of the biggest Lunar New Year parades outside of Asia, which has been held since the 1860s. The city also marks the occasion with a flower market, basketball jamboree, Miss Chinatown USA pageant and a street fair.
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Vancouver
In Richmond, you’ll find 10-course Chinese banquets. The traditional flower bazaar takes place at the International Buddhist Temple and you’ll find many cultural events across the city, including art exhibits at the Oakridge Centre and a dance performance at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre .
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Manila
Step into Binondo, Manila’s historic heart and the world’s oldest Chinatown , where Lunar New Year unfolds in a riot of color and flavour. Wander along Ongpin Street to sample festive treats like tikoy (glutinous rice cakes), siopao (steamed buns) and dumplings, then watch dragon and lion dances weave through centuries-old lanes . As night falls, countdown celebrations light up the skyline with fireworks, while Binondo Church offers special masses blending Catholic and Chinese traditions.
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Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur plays host to its own version of the vibrant Chingay Parade, a spectacular multi-ethnic procession rooted in Chinese tradition which is now celebrated by Malaysians of all backgrounds . Thean Hou Temple and other landmarks like the Kuan Ti Temple bloom under thousands of lanterns.
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Credit: Getty Images
New York
New York’s Lunar New Year is a citywide celebration blending Chinese traditions with a multicultural twist. The festivities start with the Firecracker Ceremony in Chinatown , followed by a vibrant parade along Mott and Mulberry streets, featuring lion dances, dragon floats and martial arts.
Credit: Getty Images
Credit: Getty Images
Bangkok
Yaowarat Road in Chinatown turns into a lively stage for dragon and lion dances during Lunar New Year. Crowds visit Wat Mangkon Kamalawat for blessings, while street stalls dish out festive treats alongside cultural shows. In Bangkok , the celebrations often carry royal endorsement and continue late into the night, blending Chinese heritage with Thai flair.
This story was originally published in January 2021 and updated in January 2025.