PRESS RELEASE
LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATION TO RETURN TO THE NATIONAL MARITIME MUSEUM
© National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London.
Royal Museums Greenwich (RMG) will once again celebrate Lunar New Year on 21 February 2026 with a vibrant programme of activities at the National Maritime Museum. The event returns to the Museum following a break in 2025 due to essential building works.
Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is one of the most significant celebrations across many Asian cultures. It is a time for family reunions, sharing traditional meals, giving red envelopes, and enjoying parades and lantern displays. Many countries also follow the zodiac calendar, in 2026 it will be the Year of the Horse and the Museum will have a horse sculpture on display to bring visitors good luck.
For over 20 years, the National Maritime Museum has hosted Lunar New Year events, offering visitors the chance to explore Asian objects in RMG’s collection and learn about the historic connections between Britain and Asia. This year’s programme will feature free workshops, talks, and performances for all ages, delivered in partnership with local community groups and universities.
For the latest information and the full schedule, visit www.rmg.co.uk/lunarnewyear
Performances
Lion Dances
A traditional Lion Dance will open the Museum’s celebrations outside the Romney Road entrance, then further Lion Dances will be performed throughout the day on the east colonnades. These dances traditionally ward off bad spirits and welcome luck for the new year.
Times: Opening dance: 10.00 | Further performances: 11.30, 12.30, 14.00, 15.30
Location: Romney Road entrance, then East Colonnades
Age: Suitable for all ages
Dance with Chinese Women's Association
A short performance of folk and fitness dancing from the Chinese Women's Association in Woolwich.
Times: 11.45, 13.45
Location: Ocean Map
Age: Suitable for all ages
Sounds of China
Experience the soul of China through captivating live performances featuring traditional instruments such as the pipa, guzheng, and dizi. Listen as skilled musicians blend classical melodies with modern arrangements to create an immersive cross-cultural soundscape.
Time: 13.00
Location: Ocean Map
Age: Suitable for all ages
Martial Arts Demonstration
A demonstration of the two complementary branches of Chinese martial arts; the hard styles of external Kung Fu, and the softer contemplative method of Tai Chi. Each with their own characteristics and beauty.
Time: 14.30
Location: Ocean Map
Age: Suitable for all ages
Food
Thai Fridays
A street food truck will be on hand for visitors to taste Southeast Asian cuisine throughout the day.
Location: Outside south side of the Queen’s House.
Workshops and Stalls
Chinese Fan Workshop
This workshop introduces Chinese fan dance as a practice of flowing strength, inner power, and resilience. Through expansive gestures and rhythmic movement, participants explore how energy travels through the body and is expressed with clarity and spirit. The session offers a joyful and accessible way to experience strength as both softness and vitality.
Times: 11.00, 14.00
Location: Ocean Map
Age: Suitable for all ages
Lion Dance Workshop
Learn dance moves alongside percussive beats to put together your very own lion dance.
Times: 12.00, 15.00
Location: Rethink Space
Age: Suitable for all ages
Tibetan Dance Workshop
Rooted in traditional communal and ceremonial practices, this Tibetan dance workshop celebrates connection, rhythm, and shared joy. Through circular steps and repeated movements, participants experience how dance brings people together, fostering solidarity and collective energy. The session invites everyone to move as a group, embodying celebration, harmony, and renewal.
Times: 12.30, 15.00
Location: Ocean Map
Age: Suitable for all ages
Tai Chi Workshop
The ancient Chinese practices of Tai Chi and Qigong combine slow, deliberate movements, meditation, and breathing exercises. Join Tai Chi and Qigong specialist Chew-Yeen Lawes as she guides visitors through a short session.
Time: 15.30
Location: Ocean Map
Age: Suitable for all ages
Lunar Objects in Focus
Meet our astronomy experts and see and touch an exciting array of objects, from lunar globes and navigational instruments to real lunar meteorites.
Time: 11.00 – 16.00
Location: Figurehead Space
Age: Suitable for all ages
Year of the Horse Sculpture
Visitors can write their wishes for the next year and attach them to a Year of the Horse sculpture created by artist Ha Nguyen for good luck.
Time: 10.00 – 17.00
Location: Propeller Space
Age: Suitable for all ages
Chinese Instruments in Focus
Visitors can examine Chinese musical instruments, learn basic rhythms, and even have a go at playing them.
Times: 10.30, 15.00
Location: Propeller Space
Age: Suitable for all ages
Lantern Making
In this workshop, lecturers and students from Goldsmiths University will assist families in creating their own decorative paper lanterns to display for the new year.
Time: 11.00 – 16.00
Location: Learning Space
Age: Suitable for all ages
Calligraphy Stall
Chinese Calligraphy is the traditional art of writing characters using brush, ink, and paper. Discover the beauty of this craft and watch experts brush elegant Lunar New Year characters for you to take home.
Time: 11.00 – 16.00
Location: Sammy Ofer Wing
Age: Suitable for all ages
Red Envelope Making
Families will be able to make their own red envelopes, which symbolise good luck and blessings. Visitors can then go to the calligraphy stand to have the envelope inscribed with an auspicious message.
Time: 10.00 – 17.00
Location: Special Exhibitions Gallery Foyer
Age: Suitable for all ages
Dress to Impress: Traditional Costumes
Step into tradition by trying on beautifully cultural costumes. Capture memorable photos and experience the elegance of festive attire.
Time: 10.30 – 16.00
Location: Group Space
Age: Suitable for all ages
Chopsticks Challenge
Test your ability in this fast-paced challenge. Step up, have fun, and see how many items you can pick up before time runs out.
Time: 10.30 – 16.00
Location: Group Space
Age: Suitable for all ages
Talks and Tours
East Asian Connections in Our Collections
Drop in anytime to this stall and find out more about Unlocking Collections - an ambitious research project aimed at finding overlooked images from within RMG’s collections and making them more accessible.
Time: 11.00 – 15.00
Location: Traders Gallery foyer off the Ocean Map
Age: Suitable for all ages
Character Encounter with James Robson
Explore the Traders gallery with James Robson, a Chinese lascar (sailor) who served on the fastest and greatest of the tea clippers, Cutty Sark. Find out about the struggles of the tea trade between Britain and China, and the impact of the 19th-century Opium Wars on both countries.
Times: 11.30, 12.30, 13.30, 14.30
Location: Traders Gallery
Age: Suitable for all ages
Gallery Favourites
Find out about fascinating objects from the collection that have East and Southeast Asian connections. The Museum’s gallery assistants will take visitors around the Traders gallery to talk about their favourite objects on display.
Times: 11.00, 13.00, 15.00
Location: Traders Gallery
Age: Suitable for all ages
Zodiac Puppet Show
An interactive puppet show exploring the story of the Jade Emperor, the great race and how the Chinese years of the animals were decided.
Times: 11.00, 14.00
Location: Rethink Space
Age: Suitable for all ages
Legends in Sound Storytelling
Through live narration, music, and visual elements, watch as traditional Chinese folktales and legends are brought to life.
Times: 12.00, 14.30
Location: Lecture Theatre
Age: Suitable for all ages
Tea Ceremony
Chew-Yeen Lawes from Global Fusion Music and Arts demonstrates to visitors the mindful tea ceremony.
Time: 13.00
Location: Lecture Theatre
Age: Suitable for ages 13 and over
The Stories of Money in China
A talk exploring fascinating stories about money from a Chinese perspective — from the world’s first paper money and the legendary giant gold ingot to the distinctive traditions of China’s early banking system. Discover fun facts and cultural insights in this engaging session.
Time: 13.45
Location: Lecture Theatre
Age: Suitable for ages 13 and over
Stories We Cook, Homes We Make
Using illustration, Dr Carmen Yau will share a selection of signature dishes that carry memory, meaning and creativity. Exploring Lunar New Year foods within socio-cultural and religious contexts, Carmen reflects on immigrant wellbeing during festivals shaped by joy, creativity, and belonging. Carmen weaves her personal stories of home from Hong Kong, Taiwan, China, Japan, and Korea into her ongoing process of building a new home in the UK as a new immigrant.
Time: 14.30
Location: Rethink Space
Age: Suitable for all ages
“Nián nián yǒu yú” - Lucky Images and Thoughts in Lunar New Year
Discover auspicious images and thoughts which are deeply embedded in both the decorations, rituals, and meals associated with the celebration in Lunar New Year traditions. This talk explores the central role that those images and thoughts play in expressing wishes for good fortune, prosperity, health, and happiness in the coming year and how that effect is achieved
Time: 15.30
Location: Lecture Theatre
Age: Suitable for ages 13 and over
ONLINE RESOURCES
Explore East and Southeast Asian items in the collection
Aaron Jaffer, Curator of World History and Cultures at Royal Museums Greenwich, highlights some of the objects from the National Maritime Museum's collections related to East and Southeast Asia.
URL: https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/east-southeast-asian-collections-connections
How to make a hongbao for the New Year
Hongbao are red envelopes, traditionally given to children and young adults in China, but many other cultures celebrate the new year with the giving of envelopes too. Using some simple origami, create your own envelope to give to someone to celebrate the new year.
URL: https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/how-make-hongbao-new-year
How to create an auspicious fish poster for Lunar New Year
The image of the fish on many Lunar New Year posters symbolises a wish for an auspicious year. Create your own to decorate your home with this activity from Hantastic Kids.
URL: https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/how-make-lucky-fish-poster-lunar-new-year
Chinese tea ceremonies and traditions
From weddings and holidays to hope for the new year, learn more about the history of tea traditions in China – and find out how to prepare for your very own Chinese tea ceremony.
URL: https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/chinese-tea-ceremonies-traditions
James Robson
Meet James Robson, a cook on board the Cutty Sark. Discover what life was like on board the Cutty Sark and find out what’s for dinner.
URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Onem-n-y64
The Legend of Nian (BSL)
Join Deaf storyteller Deepa Shastri as she tells the story of Nian, a legendary monster. Discover why red is a good luck colour in China and why people wear brightly coloured clothes to celebrate the New Year. This story is in British Sign Language, with voiceover interpretation and captions.
URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPjXOiQefb8
How do people celebrate Chinese New Year – Newham Chinese Association
Find out more about how and why people celebrate Chinese New Year with local partners the Newham Chinese Association. From dances and decoration to food and festivities, what are the origins of new year celebrations today?
URL: https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/how-do-people-celebrate-chinese-new-year
INFORMATION FOR VISITORS:
Venue: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich
Date: 21 February 2026
Opening times: 10.00 – 17.00
Admission: Free
Visitor enquiries: 020 8858 4422
Twitter: @RMGreenwich
Instagram: @royalmuseumsgreenwich
Facebook: @royalmuseumsgreenwich
GENERAL INFORMATION
The National Maritime Museum holds the world’s largest maritime collection telling stories of Britain’s epic relationship with the sea, housed in historic buildings forming part of the Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site.
The National Maritime Museum is part of Royal Museums Greenwich which also incorporates the Royal Observatory, the 17th-century Queen’s House and the clipper ship Cutty Sark. This unique collection of museums and heritage buildings, which form a key part of the Maritime Greenwich UNESCO World Heritage Site and are also major centres of education and research. The mission of Royal Museums Greenwich is to enrich people’s understanding of the sea, the exploration of space, and Britain's role in world history. For more information, visit www.rmg.co.uk.
For further information or images please contact:
Royal Museums Greenwich Press Office
Tel: 020 8312 6545/6789/6589
Email: press@rmg.co.uk