Essential information
| Type | Events and festivals |
|---|---|
| Location | |
| Date and times | Saturday 21 February 2026 | 10am-5pm |
| Prices | Free |
Welcome in the 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 Performance Highlights
Lion Dances
11.30am, 12.30pm, 2.30pm and 3.30pm | East Colonnade
Watch the mesmerising Lion Dance performance ward off bad spirits and welcome luck for the new year! This year, these performances will take place outside to make sure everyone gets a good view of the action.
Zodiac Puppet Show
11am, 2pm | Rethink Space
Come along to this interactive puppet show and find about the traditional story of the Jade Emperor, the great race and how the Chinese years of the animals were set.
Dance with Chinese Women's Association, Woolwich
11.45am, 1.45pm | Ocean Map
Enjoy a short performance of folk and fitness dancing from the Chinese Women's Association in Woolwich.
Sounds of China
1pm | Ocean Map
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.
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Workshops and family fun highlights
Chopsticks challenge
10.30am-4pm | Drop-in | Group Space
Join the fast-paced 'chopsticks challenge' and test your agility in this festive favourite. Step up, have fun, and see how many items you can pick before time runs out.
Suitable for all ages and abilities.
Lantern making workshop
11am-4pm | Drop-in | Learning Space
Craft your own colourful lantern and light up the festival with creativity! A hands-on activity to design, decorate, and bring home a glowing symbol of celebration.
Suitable for all ages and abilities.
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Meet James Robson
11.30am, 12.30pm, 1.30pm and 2.30pm | Traders gallery
Meet James Robson, a Chinese sailor who served on the fastest and greatest of the tea clippers, Cutty Sark.
Chinese fan dance workshop
11am, 2pm | Ocean map
Learn about the Chinese fan dance as a practice of flowing strength, inner power, and resilience. Through expansive gestures and rhythmic movement, you'll explore how energy travels through the body and is expressed with clarity and spirit.
Tibetan dance workshop
12.30pm, 3pm | Ocean map
This Tibetan dance workshop celebrates connection, rhythm, and shared joy. Through circular steps and repeated movements, you'll experience how dance brings people together, fostering solidarity and collective energy.
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Talks highlights
Legends in sound storytelling
12pm, 2.30pm | Lecture theatre
Through live narration, music, and visual elements, watch as traditional Chinese folktales and legends are brought to life.
Suitable for all ages. Capacity is limited and entry will be on a first-come, first-served basis. The Lecture theatre is a dark space, accessed via steps or a lift.
The tea ceremony
1pm | Lecture theatre
Join Chew-Yeen to explore the rituals and symbolism in a Chinese Tea Ceremony.
Suitable for ages 13+. Capacity is limited and entry will be on a first-come, first-served basis. The Lecture theatre is a dark space, accessed via steps or a lift.
Stories of money in China
1.45pm | Lecture theatre
Join us to explore 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!
Suitable for ages 13+. Capacity is limited and entry will be on a first-come, first-served basis. The Lecture Theatre is a dark space, accessed via steps or a lift.
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Stands highlights
Lunar objects in focus
11am-4pm | Figurehead space
Meet our astronomy experts and see and touch an exciting array of objects, from lunar globes and navigational instruments to real lunar meteorites.
Chinese calligraphy
11am-4pm | Sammy Ofer wing | Drop-in
Chinese Calligraphy is the traditional art of writing characters using brush, ink, and paper. Discover the beauty of this craft and watch our experts to brush elegant Lunar New Year characters for you to take home.
Chinese Instruments in Focus
10.30, 2.30pm | Propeller Space | Drop-in
Find out more about traditional Chinese instruments the pipa and ruan and learn how they are played and used.
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 | Chinese fan dance workshop | Ocean map | All ages |
| 11.30am | Meet James Robson, a Chinese sailor who served on the 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: learn how to 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 tea clipper, Cutty Sark | Traders gallery | All ages |
| 12.30pm | Tibetan dance workshop | 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 tea clipper, Cutty Sark | Traders gallery | All ages |
| 1.45pm | Performance: 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 | Chinese fan dance workshop | 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 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 | Ocean map | All ages |
| 3pm | Lion dance workshop: learn how to 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 | 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.
Discover more
Can't make it to the event on site? Discover more about Lunar New Year online, and find guided activities to help you celebrate at home!
How to make a Hong Bao for Lunar New Year
Create your own hong bao, using origami techniques, to celebrate the Lunar New Year.
How to make a lucky fish poster for Lunar New Year
Create a lucky fish poster to decorate your home for Lunar New Year.
How to make an origami flower
Follow our simple video tutorial to create a beautiful origami flower.
East and Southeast Asian collections and connections
Explore the history of East and Southeast Asia with objects from the National Maritime Museum's collection
How do people celebrate Chinese New Year?
What happens during Chinese New Year? The Newham Chinese Association explain some of the traditions, festivals and customs that take place when Chinese New Year is celebrated.
Visit the National Maritime Museum
Discover epic stories of exploration and endeavour that have shaped our world today