It seemed only yesterday we were celebrating New Year and it’s upon us again! Yes. You read that right. New Year has returned, six weeks after January 1st 2018. How could this happen? Well, because it’s Chinese New Year of course, on Friday 16th February. But how lucky are we to have our own bustling, lively little Chinatown right in the centre of London’s West End! Come Friday, that famous stretch between Leicester Square and Soho will be absolutely jumping for joy, crackling and fizzing. Sounds fun right?! Here’s our round-up of top Chinese New Year Events taking place in London this month…
Don’t Rain On My Parade!
The centre of the cultural celebrations will be the colourful and spectacular parade and it’ll be an early wake-up call for you if you want to catch the beginning of it. The festivities begin at 10am on Charing Cross Road and finish up in Chinatown, on Shaftesbury Avenue. Among the many delights that China itself has to offer, the London celebrations promise to offer you an authentic display of Chinese dance, acrobatics and music. As if this was not exciting enough, you will also find yourselves making history by being amongst the largest collection of Chinese mystical animals in the United Kingdom.
One to Watch: The Lion and Dragon Dance!
Find The Street Where It’s Best To Eat!
None of us are strangers to Chinese cuisine but for those of you unfamiliar with the delectable delights of Chinatown, this is your moment. You won’t be starved for choice, that’s for sure. Along the cobbled streets you’ll discover rows and rows of charming, bright and inviting restaurants with their own smells filling the air. Which one to choose? Which one to visit first? These are commonly asked questions for both Chinatown connoisseurs and first-timers. But do not stress – Timeout’s where to eat’ guide will help you avoid too much street-walking and indecisiveness.
Top Tip: BOOK AHEAD!
Spend your fortune and get good back!
If a little decadence, peace and exclusivity is what you are after, the Royal Garden Hotel in Kensington can offer you a special Chinese New Year nine-course menu at its in-house restaurant Min Jiang. Its authentic ingredients and gastronomic treasures will be sure to give you a unique and firecracker Chinese New Year experience.
Top Tip: BOOK AHEAD!
Drink it all in with a baijiu or two!
So, you’ve been blown away by the parade and indulged in the eateries of Chinatown, so surely it must be time to sip on China’s fiery national drink baijiu to celebrate Baijiu cocktail week! Our top cocktail bar choices are Opium in Chinatown and Bó Drake in Soho,
Top Tip: Have a glass of water at the ready. You’ll be breathing fire after a few of these!
