On 21 February, the “2026 London Camden Market Year of the Horse Chinese New Year Fair” took place at the renowned London cultural landmark, Camden Market.

Hosted by Camden Market, supported by the China National Tourist Office (CNTO) London, and organised by the UK Yunnan Cultural Festival Organising Committee, the event saw the rich and festive “Chinese Red” perfectly complement the market’s industrial aesthetic and vibrant, creative atmosphere. The celebration attracted tens of thousands of local and international visitors who gathered to welcome the arrival of the Year of the Horse.

Representatives from the Camden Market Management Committee; Howard Dawber, Deputy Mayor of London for Business and Growth; and Zhang Li, Director of CNTO London, attended the event alongside the public to experience the cultural charm of Chinese New Year.

Zhang Li stated that Chinese New Year events serve as a vital window for overseas audiences to understand Chinese culture. With the advancement of policies facilitating travel between the UK and China, he expressed his hope for more cultural exchange activities in the future to promote mutual understanding between the people of both nations.

Dawber highly praised the cultural value inherent in Chinese New Year, noting that such events provide an excellent platform for deepening UK-China exchanges, and extended his festive wishes to the Chinese community.

On the day of the event, Camden Market was beautifully adorned with festoons and decorations. Above the century-old cobbled streets, Chinese intangible cultural heritage fish lanterns intertwined with red and yellow lanterns, transforming the historic British thoroughfare into a “Chinese-Style Lantern Alley” brimming with Oriental charm. Chinese knots and zodiac horse decorations were dotted throughout, creating a profound Chinese New Year atmosphere.

Spectacular Cultural Parades and a Stunning Showcase of Traditional Opera

The cultural performances were threaded with the Year of the Horse theme from start to finish. The internet-famous intangible cultural heritage Zhejiang Wu Opera Troupe travelled from afar to showcase the superb skills and majestic momentum of traditional Chinese opera on the streets of London. Their exquisite performance won resounding applause, with pieces like Golden Monkey Celebrating Spring and Nine-Section Dragon drawing massive cheers from the crowd.

Emerging young Chinese musician Justin Peng took to the stage to perform hit singles and Chinese classics, using melodies to connect Eastern and Western cultures. The dance piece Plucking Stars from the

Mountains and Seas, presented by the London Youth Dance Troupe, blended traditional Chinese styling, folk dance, and jazz elements. This innovative interpretation presented a beautiful artistic vision, showcasing the diverse vitality and contemporary flair of Chinese culture as interpreted by the younger generation.

The classic folk music piece Horse Racing echoed above the market, while Eastern arts highly sought after by Western audiences—such as Sichuan Opera face-changing, Peking Opera, and martial arts performances—took to the stage in turn, demonstrating the profound depth of Chinese culture.

As the highlight of the event, the dragon and lion dance parade completed seven rounds of performances throughout the day. With auspicious beasts leaping to passionate drumbeats, the parade wove through the market streets, interacting enthusiastically with the crowds along the route and repeatedly pushing the atmosphere to a climax.

The beautifully ornate Hanfu parade was equally eye-catching; as models with fluttering sleeves glided through the crowds, ancient Oriental charm and British style wove together into a flowing visual landscape.

High Popularity for Immersive Experiences as the “Mahjong Parlour” Becomes a Social Hotspot

The intangible cultural heritage interactive zone was bustling with visitors. Activities such as lacquer fan making, calligraphy writing of the “Fu” (blessing) character, sachet crafting, and face painting attracted enthusiastic participants of all ages, allowing them to feel the charm of Chinese New Year customs through hands-on experiences. A pop-up “Mahjong Parlour” was particularly striking, providing a fun social space for younger demographics. The sight of people gathering friends for a game of mahjong became a unique and lively scene within the market.

Specialty Spaces Draw Crowds with Fun-Filled Cultural Experiences

Inside the food hall, the “Ink and Red Welcoming Spring” themed space utilised cascading red drapes to create a strong Chinese New Year ambiance. Calligraphy desks quietly awaited visitors to spontaneously take up brush and ink to write down their New Year blessings.

The “Nihao! China” parlour made a limited-time appearance under a classic British brick archway. The vintage brick walls, paired with elements such as pandas, “Fu” characters, and red envelopes, became a highly popular photo spot.

Diverse Market Gathers Crowds, Promoting People-to-People Connections

During the event, more than 30 specialty stalls lined up, bringing together intangible cultural heritage crafts, designer originals, Hanfu jewellery, Chinese dim sum, and Yunnan specialty snacks. From the tip of the tongue to the fingertips, the market fully satisfied the experiential demands of the attendees. CNTO London also set up an on-site booth to provide tourism promotion and consultation services.