Lunar New Year 2026

Essential information

Type	Events and festivals
Location	National Maritime Museum
Date and times	Saturday 21 February 2026 \| 10am-5pm
Prices	Free

Check out our visitor guide

Welcome in the lunar new year with a day of celebration, performances and activities at the National Maritime Museum!

Take part in family-friendly workshops, discover museum objects connected with south east Asia and enjoy fantastic live performances.

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Lunar New Year festival highlights
Full festival schedule

Never miss a moment

Two bright red and yellow 'lions' stand in the National Maritime Museum as part of a traditional Chinese Lion Dance performance

Lunar New Year Highlights

Performances

This year, the traditional Lion Dances will take place outside in the East Colonnades, to ensure everyone is able to get a good view.

We'll have other dance performances for you too, as well as puppet shows, Chinese music and martial arts demonstrations.

Character actor playing James Robson on Cutty Sark

Creative workshops

Our Lunar New Year workshops range from the crafty to the energetic.

Choose from creating a Chinese lantern or making a lucky red envelope, or enjoying more physical workshops such as lion dancing, Tibetan dancing or trying out Qigong and Tai Chi.

A woman demonstrates a tea ceremony ritual to a young girl during an event at the National Maritime Museum

Fascinating talks

Head to the Lecture theatre to enjoy a variety of special talks to mark Lunar New Year.

From understanding the Chinese tea ceremony and an exploration of the symbols, imagery and traditions of the Lunar New Year, to the fascinating history of money in China, there's a wealth of interesting and inspiring talks on offer in the Museum.

Image of Coco in Chinese Opera traditional dress

Inspiring stalls

Look out for Chinese stamps, musical instuments, calligraphy and lunar objects available to explore at stands located around the Museum for our Lunar New Year festival.

Where else can you try playing a traditional Chinese musical instrument before going to check out a real lunar meteorite?

Full Lunar New Year event schedule

Your at-a-glance guide to all the Lunar New Year activities

Time	Activity	Location	Ages
10am	The annual Lion Dance opens the celebrations at the Museum	Romney Road Entrance	All ages
All day	Leave a lucky wish and admire the beautiful horse sculpture by artist Ha Nguyen	Propellor space	All ages
10.30am	Chinese musical instruments: learn basic rhythms, and try playing some yourself	Propellor space	All ages
10.30am-4pm	Chopsticks challenge: test your agility in this fun, festive favourite	Group space	All ages
10.30am-4pm	Zodiac stamp display: check out China Post's stunning stamps	Group space	All ages
10.30am-4pm	Dress to impress: try on traditional festive costumes and snap that all-important selfie!	Group space	All ages
11am-4pm	Chinese calligraphy: our experts will brush elegant Lunar New Year characters for you to take home	Sammy Ofer wing	All ages
11am-4pm	Lantern making: craft your own colourful lantern	Learning space	All ages
11am-4pm	Make a lucky red envelope. This classic craft symbolizes good luck and blessings	Special exhibitions gallery foyer	All ages
11am-4pm	Lunar objects in focus: meet astronomy experts and see and touch an array of objects, from lunar globes and navigational instruments to real lunar meteorites	Figurehead space	All ages
11am	Zodiac puppet show: hear the story of The Great Race	Rethink space	All ages
11am	Fan dance workshop: learn this Chinese dance form	Ocean map	All ages
11.30am	Meet James Robson, a Chinese sailor who served on the fastest and greatest tea clipper, Cutty Sark	Traders gallery	All ages
11.30am	Performance: Lion Dance	East colonnades	All ages
11.45am	Performance: dancing from the Chinese Women's Association in Woolwich	Ocean map	All ages
12pm	Legends in sound storytelling: traditional Chinese folktales and legends are brought to life	Lecture theatre	All ages
12pm	Lion dance workshop: put together your very own lion dance	Rethink space	All ages
12.30pm	Performance: Lion dance	East colonnades	All ages
12.30pm	Meet James Robson, a Chinese sailor who served on the fastest and greatest tea clipper, Cutty Sark	Traders gallery	All ages
12.30pm	Tibetan dance workshop: move together as a group	Ocean map	All ages
1pm	Sounds of China: hear traditional instruments such as the pipa, guzheng, and dizi	Ocean map	All ages
1pm	Talk: The tea ceremony. Join Chew-Yeen to explore the rituals and symbolism in a Chinese tea ceremony	Lecture theatre	13+
1.30pm	Meet James Robson, a Chinese sailor who served on the fastest and greatest tea clipper, Cutty Sark	Traders gallery	All ages
1.45pm	Performance: traditional dancing from the Chinese Women's Association in Woolwich	Ocean map	All ages
1.45pm	Talk: Stories of Money in China. From the first paper money, to the distinctive traditions of China's early banking system, discover fun facts and cultural insights in this engaging lecture	Lecture theatre	13+
2pm	Zodiac puppet show: hear the story of The Great Race	Rethink space	All ages
2pm	Fan dance workshop: learn this Chinese dance form	Ocean map	All ages
2.30pm	Performance: Lion dance	East colonnade	All ages
2.30pm	Chinese musical instruments: learn basic rhythms, and try playing some yourself	Propellor space	All ages
2.30pm	Meet James Robson, a Chinese sailor who served on the fastest and greatest tea clipper, Cutty Sark	Traders gallery	All ages
2.30pm	Kung-fu and Tai Chi martial arts demonstration	Ocean map	All ages
2.30pm	Legends in sound storytelling: traditional Chinese folktales and legends are brought to life	Lecture theatre	All ages
3pm	Tibetan dance workshop: move together as a group	Ocean map	All ages
3pm	Lion dance workshop: put together your very own lion dance	Rethink space	All ages
3.30pm	Talk: 'Nián nián yǒu yú'. Discover the auspicious images which are deeply embedded in the decorations, rituals, and meals associated with Lunar New Year	Lecture theatre	13+
3.30pm	Performance: Lion dance	East colonnades	All ages
3.30pm	Tai Chi and Qigong workshop: try a short session	Ocean map	All ages

Plan your visit

Getting here and getting around

The National Maritime Museum is a quick, easy journey from central London, and right in the heart of historic Greenwich. Check this page for more information about arriving by public transport or by car.

Find out more about planning your visit to the National Maritime Museum here, and download a free map to help guide you round the Museum when you arrive.

The Royal Observatory is a short walk away up the hill in Greenwich Park. You can find a map showing all Royal Museums Greenwich sites here.

How busy will the event be?

Lunar New Year at the National Maritime Museum is a busy, vibrant event featuring live music and performances. Capacities for all activities will be managed to ensure that visitors can make the most of what's on offer, so please be prepared to queue and be courteous to other visitors and staff.

If you struggle with loud noises then a limited number of ear defenders are available to borrow from our welcome desks. Staff can also direct you to quieter areas within the museum.

For more information, check out the visitor guide.

Accessibility

Visitors will be asked to sit on the floor to watch the performances on the Great Map. An accessible viewing area is available for visitors who are unable to sit on the floor or stand for long periods of time. You will still need to get a wristband for the performance to access this area.

Detailed information for anyone who appreciates some extra preparation before visiting is available in the National Maritime Museum's access statement.

A visual guide is also available, providing pictures and descriptions of the various areas in the Museum.

Find general information about facilities at the National Maritime Museum here including cloakrooms, baby change and accessibility, and information for disabled visitors coming to any of our sites.