Chinese New Year 2026 begins on 17 February and marks the start of the Year of the Horse. Across China and in several Nordic cities, public events, themed dinners and cultural programmes invite residents and visitors to take part in the celebrations.From large-scale festivities in Shanghai and Hong Kong to smaller but growing events in Copenhagen, Stockholm, Oslo and Helsinki, there are different ways to experience the Lunar New Year.
Beijing, China
If you spend your days over Chinese New Year in Beijing, you step into a city shaped by ritual and celebration.
You can join temple fairs in major parks with lion dances, drum performances and market stalls. Visit temples to witness incense rituals and New Year prayers. Explore historic hutongs and landmarks dressed in red lanterns and seasonal decorations.
You can take part in cultural workshops such as calligraphy or paper cutting, attend festive concerts and stage performances, or book a traditional reunion dinner featuring dumplings and other symbolic dishes.
As the days progress, lantern displays and light shows appear across the city, leading up to the Lantern Festival on day 15 of the new lunar year. Read more about Chinese New Years events in Beijing.
Shanghai, China
If you spend your days over Chinese New Year in Shanghai, the city offers both spectacle and ritual.
You can walk through the famous lantern displays at Yuyuan Garden, where illuminated installations, snack stalls and New Year markets fill the old town. Temple fairs and folk performances unfold in historic areas, while shopping streets like Nanjing Road and the Bund are decorated for the season.
You can visit temples such as Longhua Temple to witness bell-ringing ceremonies and New Year blessings, or stop by Jing’an Temple and the Jade Buddha Temple to observe incense rituals.
Beyond the historic centre, you can explore water-town traditions in Zhujiajiao, attend flower exhibitions at the Shanghai Botanical Garden, or experience themed celebrations at Shanghai Disney Resort and amusement parks hosting lantern festivals.
Restaurants serve seasonal dishes such as tangyuan, New Year cake and symbolic fish meals, and many venues offer festive set dinners during the holiday period. Read more about Chinese New Year events in Shanghai.
Hong Kong, SAR
If you spend your days over Chinese New Year in Hong Kong, the city becomes a festival of light, luck and celebration.
You can visit colourful flower markets in the days before the holiday, especially in Victoria Park and Prince Edward, to buy auspicious blooms and festive treats. On the first day of the lunar year, crowds gather in Tsim Sha Tsui for the Chinese New Year Night Parade with floats and performances. The second day brings fireworks over Victoria Harbour.
You can head to Sha Tin Racecourse for the traditional New Year Raceday, visit Wong Tai Sin Temple or Che Kung Temple for blessings, or travel to Lam Tsuen to toss wishes into the famous Wishing Trees.
Lantern displays, lion dances and celebrations at theme parks and hotels continue throughout the holiday period. Read more about Chinese New Year events in Hong Kong.
Stockholm, Sweden
If you spend your days over Chinese New Year in Stockholm, you can experience the holiday in the heart of the city.
The China Cultural Center in Stockholm is behind this year’s celebrations, centred around Kungsträdgården. Here, the “Nihao! China” Horse Lantern Show lights up the winter darkness with illuminated horses symbolising success and good fortune. The exhibition runs until 28 February.
You can also join the official lighting ceremony in Kungsträdgården, marked by dragon and lion dances, music and festive performances as the lanterns are switched on and the New Year celebrations begin.
Additional Spring Festival activities are planned in Stockholm, with related events reaching Gothenburg and even travellers passing through Arlanda Airport. Read more about Chinese New Year events in Stockholm.
Oslo, Norway
Red lanterns may be rare in Oslo. But behind one city address, Lunar New Year is on the table.
From 16 February to 3 March 2026, you can celebrate Chinese New Year at Oslo Foodie, which presents a dedicated Reunion Dinner Set for the Year of the Horse.
The special set menu is available for dine-in throughout the festive period, from New Year’s Eve to the Lantern Festival. Designed for groups of up to ten people – with smaller groups also welcome to pre-order – the dinner features dishes not normally found on the restaurant’s regular menu.
According to the restaurant, the festive menu highlights premium seafood and traditional celebratory dishes symbolising prosperity, happiness and good fortune.
Copenhagen, Denmark
On 17 February, Tiger Lily at 25hours Hotel Paper Island hosts a dedicated Chinese New Year dinner. The evening centres on a sharing-style menu inspired by traditional New Year symbolism and festive flavours.
At Hanzō, you can also join a Chinese New Year celebration menu created for the occasion, featuring dishes inspired by East Asian traditions and communal dining.
For something different, you can head to Valby Kino on 21 February at 19:30 for a special New Year screening of the animated Chinese film Nobody (浪浪山小妖怪). The film is shown in original Chinese with English subtitles.
Helsinki, Finland
In Helsinki, Lunar New Year meets the gaming floor.
On 17 February 2026, you can celebrate Chinese New Year at Casino Helsinki. The casino marks the arrival of the Year of the Horse with a themed day running from 15:00 until 02:00. Admission is free.
Throughout the venue, you can experience programme and atmosphere inspired by Chinese culture. The celebration draws on traditional New Year symbols such as renewal, prosperity and togetherness, reflected in décor, flavours and entertainment.
Lunar New Year across borders
Across China, the celebrations range from temple visits and lantern displays to fireworks and public performances. In Nordic cities, the programme is smaller, but still offers open events, themed dinners and cultural screenings tied to the same lunar calendar.
The Year of the Horse moves across cities and time zones, and this February, there are plenty of ways to step into the celebration.
