Chinese New Year – or Lunar New Year – is celebrated worldwide in Chinese communities, and this weekend, everyone is invited to join free festivities in Chinatown Budapest. From 18-19 January, a bit ahead of the official turnover into the Year of the Snake on 29 January, you can experience a vibrant cultural and foodie adventure.
The epicentre of the celebrations will be the Monori Centre in the 10th district (easily accessible by bus 9 from downtown), home to several Chinese restaurants and shops year-round. But for these two days, it will transform into a festival scene, with dragon and lion dances, captivating performances, and plenty of mouthwatering food to enjoy.
Programme
Special guests are flying in from China, including a delegation from Jilin, who will kick things off with a dazzling gala show. Expect Peking opera, a Monkey King kung-fu performance, folk dances, a circus act, and live music on traditional Chinese instruments. If you're feeling hands-on, try your luck at making jiaozi (dumplings), then give your creation a taste.
There's plenty more to dive into – Yu opera, taichi, and traditional Chinese dance, plus a chance to experiment with Chinese instruments. If you're the creative type, check out the workshops: design your own Xylography poster, craft a Kaifeng Lantern, or test your calligraphy skills. If you fancy something more intricate, try your hand at drawing royal-school butterflies or making blown candy. There's even a language corner if you're up for learning a phrase or two.
Kids won't be left out either – an outdoor playground, traditional games, sports, and even a crash course in dragon dancing will keep them busy. And, of course, the food. Expect steaming dumplings, rich soups, and plenty of street food goodness to fuel the festivities.
The event is free, but you'll need to buy tickets for tea ceremonies and workshops. Find more details here.
