Celebrating Chinese New Year in Reading: Your Complete Guide

Reading's Chinese New Year Festival: What's On

The Lunar New Year 2025 falls on Wednesday, January 29th, marking the end of winter and the beginning of spring. Celebrations culminate with the Lantern Festival on February 12th.

To celebrate the Year of the Wood Snake in the Chinese Zodiac, Reading Chinese School, in partnership with Reading Borough Council, BID and local schools and communities, is organising a day-long celebration event at Reading Town Hall. The iconic lion dance will transform Broad Street into a sea of colour and movement, and the Reading Chinese Association will coordinate performances that have become a much-anticipated feature of the town's cultural calendar.

The Reading Chinese Community Centre on Oxford Road serves as the cultural nucleus for these celebrations. During the New Year period, the centre hosts workshops on traditional paper cutting, calligraphy, and dumpling making, offering visitors authentic insights into Chinese cultural practices. In addition to all of this, nearby Thatcham’s town council is holding its first Chinese New Year Celebration Market on Sunday, February 2nd, at The Broadway in Thatcham. The stalls will open from 10 am to 4 pm and Chinese Lion Dance performances will be at 11am and 12.30pm.

So what’s the difference between the Lunar Year and the Chinese New Year? Well, the first is a broader cultural festival celebrated across multiple Asian countries including China, Vietnam, Korea, and others, marking the beginning of a new year according to the lunisolar calendar, whereas Chinese New Year specifically refers to the traditional celebration based on the Chinese lunar calendar. It features unique Chinese cultural customs, family reunions, and specific rituals like red envelope gifting, lion dances, and elaborate festive meals that are distinctly tied to Chinese cultural traditions.

At the heart of the celebrations are traditions that have been preserved through generations. For example, the exchange of red envelopes (hong bao), which contain money and symbolise good wishes and prosperity. Local families also gather for reunion dinners, a practice that epitomises the festival's emphasis on family bonds and continuity.

British-Chinese Celebrations

Educational initiatives play a crucial role in sharing Chinese cultural heritage. Reading Chinese School organises special New Year activities for students and their families, while local mainstream schools increasingly incorporate Chinese New Year celebrations into their curricula, reflecting Reading's commitment to cultural diversity and understanding.

The festival's impact on Reading's retail sector is notable. Many local shops along Oxford Road and in the Oracle Centre stock traditional decorations, red envelopes, and ceremonial items. The Harris Arcade, with its eclectic mix of independent retailers, often features special displays celebrating the Lunar New Year.

Your Home Away from Home: Celebrate in Comfort at Celador Apartments

For visitors wishing to immerse themselves in the festivities, Celador Apartments offers the perfect base in the heart of Reading. Our apartments’ prime locations provide easy access to all the celebration hotspots. The central location and comfortable amenities ensure visitors can fully participate in all aspects of the festival while enjoying the conveniences of a home away from home.