News Year 8s Celebrate Lunar New Year in Chinatown 13.02.2026

On the Friday before February half-term, Year 8 Mandarin students enjoyed an immersive cultural trip to London’s Chinatown, where preparations were underway for the Lunar New Year celebrations which this year falls on Tuesday 17 February.

Arriving mid-morning, students were immediately surrounded by the sights, sounds and aromas of Chinatown, beautifully decorated for the occasion. To bring their classroom learning to life, they took part in a lively ‘treasure hunt’, spotting Chinese characters they had recently studied by exploring restaurant menus and shop signs throughout the area.

After the treasure hunt, the group went for a delicious lunch of noodles, rice and chicken dishes, all accompanied by refreshing Chinese tea. Once they had eaten their fill, there was time to visit local supermarkets and a traditional Chinese bakery, gaining further insight into everyday Chinese culture and cuisine.

The visit was a memorable and enriching experience, giving students a valuable opportunity to deepen their understanding of Chinese language and culture beyond the classroom.