While many of us spend the 1st of January hungover after seeing in the New Year the night before – a concept introduced by the Romans btw – it’s mainly a Western celebration… Lunar New Year’s a whole different thing, and one of the best times of the year to travel to Asia – or, top tip, just anywhere on your bucket list that has a Chinatown 👀
While the festival’s roots are in Asia, Lunar New Year’s celebrated by communities all over the world. Lots of major cities have a Chinatown – like New York, London and Paris – and these neighbourhoods go all out for Chinese New Year. They’re painted red – literally – which is the colour of prosperity and good luck, and the streets are lined with glowing lanterns. So, while you might think China is the go-to place to plan a holiday for these celebrations, it’s definitely not the only one! Pick different and take part in this tradition somewhere a bit less expected. We’ve shortlisted some of the best alternative city breaks to see in the Lunar New Year below…
What is Lunar New Year?
Lunar New Year is a celebration of the arrival of spring and the start of a new year, based on the lunisolar calendar. When the New Year starts is different for a lot of cultures, and for many Asian communities, the annual reset is linked to the phases of the moon. So, instead of the 1st of January, Lunar New Year – AKA ‘Chūnjié’ in China, ‘Tết’ in Vietnam and ‘Seollal’ in South Korea – is the biggest day in the cultural calendar for a lot of countries in Asia.
One of the most widely celebrated versions of Lunar New Year around the world is Chinese New Year, or the Spring Festival, which falls between the 21st of Jan and the 21st of Feb – whenever the new moon is. Each new year rotates through different signs in the Chinese zodiac, too, and for 2026, it’s the Year of the Horse… The horse is all about moving forward with momentum and confidence – so if you’ve got big plans, this is the year to get the ball rolling.
Alternative places you can celebrate Lunar New Year…
New York
New York goes big for Lunar New Year. Manhattan’s Chinatown is the largest in the United States. This historic district is the centre of the city’s celebrations, where a firecracker ceremony in Sarah D. Roosevelt Park kicks off the festival to scare away bad luck. Then, there’s the main parade – we’re talking thousands of drummers, colourful dragon costumes and lion dancers taking over the busy streets.
If you’d rather swerve the tourists but don’t want to miss out, head over to Queens. This New York borough is home to one of the largest Chinese populations outside of China, and it has a much more local, lived-in feel than the actual Chinatown. The energy is less chaotic here during Chinese New Year – it’s less about parades and performances, more about exploring the markets and searching for the best dumpling restaurant.
Bangkok
If your Chinese New Year brief is maximum atmosphere, Bangkok delivers. Yaowarat Road is the place to be – it’s one of the oldest and most vibrant Chinatowns in Southeast Asia. This loud, neon-lit district basically never sleeps anyway, but during the festival it’s on a whole other level. It’s a sensory overload in the best way – strings of bright lanterns hang between the shopfronts, sweet incense smoke fills the air, and there’s always music coming from one of the karaoke bars. Fuel up on roast duck and sticky rice from one of the street-side food stalls, follow the crowds to watch traditional dragon and lion dances, then party ‘til the AM in one of the nearby clubs. Or, for a more wholesome take on the festivities, head to Wat Mangkon Kamalawat – the biggest Chinese Buddhist temple in Bangkok. Walk around the ornate complex, soak up the zen vibes and join in ceremonies for good luck in the year ahead.
Paris
Foodies, this one’s for you. Press pause on the pain au chocolats and head to Paris’ 13th arrondissement, where you’ll find the Quartier asiatique, Europe’s biggest Chinatown. This part of the city’s shaped by Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese and Cambodian communities, which means you’ve got every type of Asian cuisine to try, from tiny dim sum spots and casual noodle bars to arty sushi restaurants. Most places lean into the festivities with special menus just for the holiday. Don’t be surprised if you see a line of people waiting for a table, too – that’s how you know it’s worth the wait. Or, skip the queues and head to an Asian supermarket to browse their impressive selection of imported snacks and drinks. It’ll keep you going while you watch the main parade, which involves a classic combo of drummers, martial arts performances and firecrackers.
Milan
Milan’s Chinatown might be mini, but it still feels super buzzy. Everything happens on one road – Via Paolo Sarpi – the historic hub of Italy’s Asian communities. It’s pretty central, so stopping by is easy to weave into a day of sightseeing. Around Chinese New Year, you’ll see a parade with dragon and lion dances, lots of red and gold decorations and pop-up food stalls you’ll be happy skipping pizza for. And as the fashion capital, it’s only right that it’s one of the most effortlessly stylish Chinatowns out there. The narrow, cobbled street’s basically begging to be posted on your Insta – we’re talking manicured planters and historic buildings, which look extra pretty lit up by lanterns.
Amsterdam
Amsterdam’s Chinatown got the city’s cultural memo. It’s cute and compact, all centred around Zeedijk, one long, winding road right in the centre. It’s one of the oldest streets in the city and has been a hub for Chinese culture for decades. Today, it’s a cool mix of food and drink spots, streetwear stores, ceramic shops and tattoo studios, so it’s always worth a visit, but it comes alive at Chinese New Year.
Celebrations are kept fairly small-scale but meaningful, with community groups taking the lead on organising lion and dragon dances, local musicians and handmade lantern displays. And if you’re interested in the spiritual side, there’s a Chinese Buddhist temple halfway down the street you can visit.
See in the Lunar New Year somewhere new with one of our city break deals.
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Author and pronouns: Daisy Colley (she/her)
Last updated: 30/01/2026
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