Celebrate, Learn and Reflect: Lunar New Year Awaits
Happy Lunar New Year! 2025 brings the Year of the Wood Snake, and London is ready to celebrate in style. Covent Garden, just a hop and a skip from Chinatown, is the perfect base to immerse yourself in one of the world’s most vibrant cultural events. From parades to performances, there are endless ways to enjoy the festivities -- and learn something new along the way.
Zodiac Fun: What’s Your Sign?
The Lunar zodiac is a 12-year cycle, with each year represented by an animal - Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, and so on - and influenced by five elements. 2025’s Wood Snake brings a focus on adaptability and intellect. Do you know what your zodiac sign is? If you don’t know, it’s a great conversation starter and an opportunity to discuss something about yourself (whether you believe in these things or not) - and maybe even a shared trait with a celebrity born under your sign. For example, are you a charismatic Dragon like Bruce Lee or a determined Ox like Barack Obama?
Language Through Culture
The Lunar New Year is brimming with chances to boost your language skills while diving into vibrant traditions. As mentioned, personality traits are intricately linked to zodiac animals - did you know the snake (shé 蛇) represents wisdom, elegance, and intuition? Being born in the year of the snake, I naturally like to think it must be true – have you ever met someone born in the year of the snake that isn’t wise, elegant and intuitive?!
Another trait us snakes must share is a big appetite – let’s not forget about all the great food - a feast for your taste buds and your linguistic skills! Try naming traditional dishes in Mandarin: dumplings (jiǎozi 饺子) symbolize wealth, while longevity noodles (chángshòu miàn 长寿面) represent a long life. Maybe even say, “Pass the spring rolls, please!” in Mandarin: “Qǐng bǎ chūnjuǎn dì gěi wǒ!” If you end up at one of the many Chinese restaurants, make an impression by practicing Mandarin greetings like “Xīnnián kuàilè” (Happy New Year) or “Gōng xǐ fā cái” (Wishing you prosperity).
From zodiac chats to festive food, the Year of the Snake offers endless ways to practice English, Mandarin, or any language you're learning - all while celebrating one of the most vibrant times of the year!
Celebrate and Reflect
Beyond the parades and lion dances, Chinese New Year is a time for reflection and connection. Why not take inspiration from the zodiac’s themes of growth and renewal? Set a new learning goal, whether it’s mastering a tricky grammar point or building confidence in speaking. At ABC we are on hand to help you achieve your goals.
Discover Covent Garden
Back in Covent Garden, you’ll find plenty of New Year’s energy. Look out for pop-up cultural events, try some dumplings (symbolizing wealth), or watch a calligraphy demonstration. Make the most of these opportunities to explore not just another culture, but also new words and ideas.Chinese New Year is more than a celebration - it’s a chance to connect, reflect, and grow. Here’s to a fantastic Year of the Snake!