This Lunar New Year, celebrations will spread across Greenwich Peninsula to embrace the Year of the Snake.
Across the afternoon of February 1, London’s only Peninsula destination will host a feast of free and paid-for activities to welcome in the new lunar year.
From captivating dances to engaging workshops and cultural performances, Greenwich Peninsula promises a unique selection of art, culture, and community.
The day’s highlights include dragon and lion dances which will weave through Peninsula Square and the Design District.
Captivating dragon and lion dances will will weave through Peninsula Square and the Design District (Picture: Greenwich Peninsula)
With vibrant costumes, drumming and acrobatics, the performances aim to chase away bad fortune and welcome good luck for the Year of the Snake.
London-based studio Yi Crafts is dedicated to preserving and sharing traditional East and Southeast Asian handcrafts.
The group will lead a full line-up of workshops throughout the day to offer opportunities for everyone to engage with heritage while enjoying a relaxing experience.
Visitors can try the ancient craft of bamboo weaving, linking intricate patterns to create a decorative bamboo coaster.
Yi Crafts will offer a series of workshops for visitors to learn traditional East and Southeast Asian handcrafts (Picture: Greenwich Peninsula)
Elsewhere, learn Chinese knot-making with classic knot designs, discover one of China’s most celebrated cultural traditions woodblock printing, or create traditional decorations for your home with paper cutting.
There will even be workshops for revellers to try out the beloved Chinese game, Mahjong.
Originating in China during the Qing dynasty, Mahjong has become an iconic pastime celebrated for its 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 most iconic cultural treasures.
Mahjong has become an iconic pastime celebrated for its intricate gameplay (Picture: Greenwich Peninsula)
For food lovers the Canteen Food Hall and Bar, in the heart of Design District, will serve up a taste of East Asia with Juk Pou’s authentic congee and youtiao alongside a variety of international cuisines.
Greenwich Peninsula residents and Founders of Brut Tea, Joyce and Raphael, will also offer an intimate tea-tasting session, a curated journey through the origins, stories, and unique characteristics of four of their exceptional blends.
Laura Flanagan, Director at Greenwich Peninsula, said: “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.”
Woodblock painting will be taught in workshops throughout the afternoon (Picture: Greenwich Peninsula)
The programme is part-funded by the government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund, supported by Greenwich council and the Mayor of London and in partnership with Visit Greenwich.
Only eight minutes from London Bridge on the Jubilee Line to North Greenwich, the peninsula is also accessible via Uber Boat by Thames Clippers and the London Cable Car.
For more information about Lunar New Year and other events at Greenwich Peninsula, visit www.greenwichpeninsula.co.uk/whats-on/events/ and the social channels, @greenwich.peninsula
All event listings and tickets are available at, https://www.greenwichpeninsula.co.uk/whats-on/lunar-new-year
Pictured top: Dragon Dance at Greenwich Peninsula 2023 (Picture: Greenwich Peninsula)