New for 2025, enjoy a Lion Dance performance winding through the Peninsula, plus events in block printing, bamboo weaving and Chinese knots
Embrace the Year of the Snake this Lunar New Year with a whole day of events at Greenwich Peninsula on Saturday 1 February, from 12pm to 4pm.
There will be a whole host of celebrations and free and paid-for activities to welcome health and prosperity; from dragon and lion dances to workshops and cultural performances, expect a blend of art, culture and community.
The day’s highlights include the dragon and – new for 2025 – lion dances weaving through Peninsula Square and the Design District.
With vibrant costumes, rhythmic drumming and blending acrobatics with cultural artistry, the performances chase away bad fortune and welcome good luck for the Year of the Snake.
London-based studio Yi Crafts will lead a full line-up of workshops suitable for all, offering opportunities to engage with heritage while enjoying a relaxing and rewarding experience.
You can also try the timeless ancient craft of bamboo weaving, linking intricate patterns to create a decorative bamboo coaster; learn Chinese knot-making, featuring classic knot designs representing unity, luck or prosperity; discover one of China’s most celebrated cultural traditions, woodblock printing, which played a role in the preservation and spread of the country’s literature and art; and create traditional decorations for your home with paper cutting.

You can even learn – or master – Mahjong. Originating in China during the Qing dynasty, Mahjong has become a celebrated pastime for its rich history and intricate gameplay. Guided by experts from Dear Asia language school, this workshop allows all to explore the legacy, logic and joy of one of East Asia’s cultural treasures.
For food lovers, the Canteen Food Hall and Bar serves up a taste of East Asia with Juk Pou’s congee and youtiao alongside a variety of international cuisines.
Plus, Greenwich Peninsula residents and founders of Brut Tea, Joyce and Raphael, will also offer a tea-tasting session; a curated journey through the origins, stories and characteristics of four of their blends.
Laura Flanagan, director of Greenwich Peninsula, said: “We’re excited to see Greenwich Peninsula once again transform into a hub of celebration for Lunar New Year.
“Our riverside neighbourhood is the perfect destination to experience art and creativity, and this year’s programme has something for everyone. With themes of connection, prosperity and renewal, we’re delighted to collaborate with so many talented performers, artists and experts to bring these experiences to life.”
The programme is part-funded by the UK government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund, supported by the Royal Borough of Greenwich and the Mayor of London and in partnership with Visit Greenwich.
www.greenwichpeninsula.co.uk/whats-on/lunar-new-year
Event highlights
Brut Tea Tasting
Time: 12pm – 1pm
Location: Salon, Design District
Price: £5, book online
Join the founders of Brut Tea for a tea-tasting session, showcasing four blends from their brand. This curated experience takes you on a journey through the origins, stories and unique characteristics of each blend.
Chinese Knot-Making Workshop with Yi Crafts
Times: 12pm – 12.30pm, 12.30pm – 1pm, 1pm – 1.30pm, 1.30pm – 2pm
Location: Design District D4
Tickets: £6, book online
Discover the craft of Chinese knot-making in this interactive workshop. Guided by Yi Craft instructors, you’ll delve into the techniques behind the art form, a centuries-old practice originating from China’s Tang and Song dynasties. Participants will create decorative ornaments featuring classic knot designs. Each knot carries its own symbolic meaning, representing unity, luck and prosperity.

Paper Cutting Workshop with Yi Crafts
Times: 1.30 – 2pm, 2pm – 2.30pm, 2.30 – 3pm, 3pm – 3.30pm
Location: Canteen Food Hall & Bar, mezzanine level
Price: Free, bookable online
Immerse yourself in the festive art of paper cutting, a tradition for the Lunar New Year that dates back to the Han dynasty in China. Originally a decoration for windows, lanterns and walls, designs often feature shapes like snakes, flowers and Chinese characters, and represent wishes for good fortune. Guided by the Yi Craft instructors, you’ll use precision-cutting tools to create your own decorative pieces.
Lion Dance
Times: 1.30pm, 2.15pm, 3pm
Location: The performance begins in Peninsula Square, outside Greenwich Peninsula tube station. Arrive early to secure the best viewing spot
Tickets: Free, no need to book
New to the programme for 2025, the traditional Chinese Lion Dance brings a burst of energy to this year’s Lunar New Year celebrations. Blending acrobatics with cultural artistry, the performance will chase away bad fortune and welcome good luck for the Year of the Snake. Vibrant costumes and rhythmic drumbeats bring the lion to life as it moves through the Design District and Peninsula Square, spreading joy and a sense of wonder to everyone in its path.
Dragon Dance
Times: 1.45pm, 2.30pm, 3.15pm
Location: The performance begins in Peninsula Square, right outside North Greenwich station. Arrive early to secure the best viewing spot
Tickets: Free, no need to book
A Lunar New Year must-see, the Dragon Dance brings even more excitement to Peninsula Square as it winds through the crowds. Guided by skilled performers, this larger-than-life dragon moves with grace and power, celebrating luck, prosperity and renewal for the year ahead.