Each year, the Chinese New Year festivities attract crowds of curious onlookers. Many of Paris’s districts are colourfully decorated, and parades, events and exhibitions are organized throughout the city. In 2025, Chinese New Year – also called Lunar New Year, Spring Festival or, by the Vietnamese, Têt Holiday – starts on Wednesday 29 January 2025 and marks the start of the Year of the Snake.
Chinese New Year is an opportunity to highlight the Asian cultures that celebrate it. To perpetuate this tradition, the Chinese cultural centre offers a rich and well thought out programme. The UGVF (General Union of Vietnamese in France) is also organising festivities, including a big celebration (market, show, special events, evening with dancing …) on 1 February 2025 at the Baltard Pavilion, at Nogent-sur-Marne.
The traditional Parisian parade is organised on Sunday 9 February 2025. The departure is between 1 and 2 pm. An event to be experienced in the streets of the 13th arrondissement between Avenue de Choisy, Porte de Choisy and Avenue d'Ivry. On the programme: traditional music and costumes, cymbals, drums, tigers and colourful dragons and good humour.
Other parades are planned :
The online guide PARISCOSMOP references news, restaurants, good deals and shopping addresses in Paris according to country... without leaving the capital. China, South Korea and Asia in general have a place of choice.
On 25 and 26 January 2025, the Asian street food Festival will be taking place at Trinquet Village by Poza in the 16th arrondissement of Paris to celebrate the Lunar New Year with a festive and gourmet programme, including the Asian Vibes evening on Saturday night from 9.30pm!
The Cernuschi Museum and the Guimet Museum are the two major Parisian museums whose collections are devoted to Asian arts. These two major cultural venues offer several special events for the Chinese New Year.
The Cernuschi Museum is celebrating the Lunar New Year with a festive weekend for families on 1ᵉʳ and 2 February 2025. Visitors will be able to attend musical storytelling shows, take part in snake-themed creative workshops, and admire lion dances. These free activities, which do not require booking, offer an enriching cultural immersion, ideal for celebrating the year of the snake. Full details are available on the dedicated page of the museum website.
Alongside its exhibition Tang China - on view until 3 March 2025 - the Guimet Museum is planning a broad range of activities around the Lunar New Year: workshop for young audiences on 29 January 2025, the festival of films ‘Allers-Retours’ from 31 January to 8 February 2025, a multisensory storytelling tour ‘Legends of the Lunar New Year’ on 1 February 2025...
From 22 January to 4 February 2025, the department store La Samaritaine is lighting up the Lunar New Year by celebrating the Year of the Snake with a series of cultural and well-being events. In partnership with the China Tourism Office, the department stores' is offering some unique events. On 25 January 2025, immerse yourself in the art of Chinese calligraphy and leave with a creation symbolising happiness. On 1ᵉʳ February 2025, marvel at the spectacular Dance of the Dragon, which crosses the Pont-Neuf to finish under the glass roof on the 5ᵉ floor. From 31 January to 2 February 2025, discover the delicate art of embroidery through captivating demonstrations. To extend the experience, head to level -1 to explore the emblematic Asian beauty brands. These innovative, natural products invite you to rediscover harmony and well-being in this year of the Snake!.
On 25 January 2025, the Chinese New Year comes to the Marché de la Bastille with a rich and immersive programme. On a large stage, artistic performances such as traditional dances, martial arts demonstrations and concerts will highlight the richness of Chinese culture. A Gastronomy Street, with 40 food stands, will offer visitors the chance to sample Chinese cuisine combining tradition and modernity. Visitors will also be able to take part in interactive workshops to learn about the art of Chinese calligraphy and painting. An environmental exhibition will round off this festive and cultural day. A unique opportunity to celebrate the Year of the Snake in Paris!
Other venues are offering events to celebrate the Lunar New Year in Paris in 2025:
The Greater Paris Light Routes pay tribute, in their own way, to the Chinese lantern festivals. Two of them are still to be discovered during the Lunar New Year festivities:
Explore Paris, the well-known organizer of fascinating guided walks in Paris and the wider Paris region, offers various excursions centred on Paris’s rich Asian culture, such as the "Lunch or dinner tour in the heart of Belleville's Chinese quarter". But also, let yourself be tempted by the visit for children, Little Dragons of Chinatown, discovering the legends and beliefs in the heart of the Indochinatown of Paris.... An excellent way to lift the veil on the treasures contained in these districts. TheWaysBeyond, Le Vrai Paris and My Urban Expeirence also offer thematic and gourmet walks around China and Asia in Paris: "Welcome to China, in Paris", "The 13th arrondissement - From the Butte-aux-Cailles district to Indochinatown"...
Just walking through the streets Paris, you’ll come across some unusual edifices that look as though they’ve come straight from China.
At 48 rue de Courcelles in the 8th arrondissement, Mr Loo’s pagoda stands out from its surroundings. Although the museum it houses is currently closed, the building itself is worth the detour for its architecture. The same is true for the former pavilions of the 1931 Colonial Exhibition at Vincennes, which have been transformed into a pagoda. Today it is home to the largest Buddha in Europe, the International Buddhist Institute and the French Buddhist Union.
And in the 13th arrondissement, at Place Augusta Holmes, don’t be surprised to see parts of a dragon emerging from the pavement! This work of art by Chen Zen and Xu Min is called The Dance of the Emerging Fountain.
Typical dishes prepared for this special occasion include longevity noodles (the longer the noodles, the longer the life), dumplings, Lok Ba Go (Chinese turnip cake) and Bánh chưng (Vietnamese square sticky rice cake). Get a taste of Asia without leaving Paris – numerous restaurants are operating a click & collect or home delivery service.
Our recommendations include Mirama (17 rue Saint-Jacques, Paris 5th) for their Peking duck, Les Pâtes Vivantes (46 rue du Faubourg Montmartre, Paris 9th and 3 rue de Turbigo, Paris 3rd) for typical noodles, La Pâtisserie de Choisy (62 avenue de Choisy, Paris 13th) for cakes and desserts, Gros Bao (72 quai de Jemmapes, Paris 10th) for piping hot steamed buns, the Tse Yang restaurant (25 avenue Pierre 1er de Serbie, Paris 16th) for their promotion of Chinese gastronomy and Panda Panda (21 rue Juliette Dodu, Paris 10th) or 21g-Dumpling (167 rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine, Paris 11th) for their excellent dim sum.
The gourmet restaurant Lili - located in The Peninsula Paris - is offering a special Chinese New Year menu to be enjoyed only on Tuesday 28 January 2025 for dinner and a Chinese New Year brunch on Saturday 1 February 2025 from noon to 2.30pm.
Another palace, the Shangri-La, is putting on a great spread to duly celebrate this New Lunar Year. The Parisian palace’s two restaurants are offering special menus. Firstly, the exceptional menu at the Shang Palace, available for lunch and dinner from Wednesday 29 January to Monday 3 February 2025. At the Bauhinia, on 2 February 2025 from noon to 3pm, a celebratory gastronomic brunch is proposed with something sweet and delicious from Maxence Barbot. The unmissable Lion Dance - mini parade in the palace itself – is also part of the planned celebrations at the Shangri-La.
And don’t hesitate to step into a local restaurant where there are plenty of great dishes to enjoy!
For an immersive cultural experience, shop for some specialities at one of the Tang brothers’ Asian supermarkets, then stop for refreshment at the Maison des Trois Thés (1 rue Saint-Médard, Paris 5th) before dropping into the attractive Le Phénix bookshop (72 boulevard de Sébastopol, Paris 3rd), which specializes in Asian and Chinese literature.
A Forbidden City a stone’s throw from Paris? The Huatian Chinagora Hotel in Alfortville (1 place du Confluent-France-Chine, 94) will come as a surprise. This five-building complex, comprising a luxury hotel, a restaurant with a panoramic view, and reception rooms, is the work of Cantonese architect Liang Kunhao. Again, this year, special menus, a fireworks display (28 January 2025 from 9.30pm) and a show of dance (29 January 2025 from noon) are on the programme.
At Saint-Rémy-l’Honoré, in the Yvelines, the Yili garden is the first traditional Chinese garden to be created in France. Set in six hectares, its design incorporates the principles of yin and yang and architectural elements made from noble materials imported from China. Quieten your mind with a zen moment – a great way to begin the year of the Wood Dragon!
Yes, Paris is the first European capital to have a certified Overseas WeChat account, all rights to which are held by Paris je t'aime - Tourist Office. By creating and publishing content dedicated to the Chinese community on Weibo, Douyin and WeChat Channels, Paris je t'aime is committed to promoting the destination to Chinese customers - living in China or abroad - inspiring them and offering them an unforgettable experience!
The Chinese New Year is marked by rich and symbolic traditions. One of the key rituals is to thoroughly clean the house before the festivities. This cleanses the house of bad energy and welcomes good luck for the coming year. Once the house is clean, it is decorated in red and gold, colours that bring happiness and prosperity. Red lanterns, gold cushions and other ornaments create a festive atmosphere.
Family meals also play a central role, especially the New Year's Eve dinner. Traditional dishes such as fish, longevity noodles and ravioli are served, each with its own special significance. Family gatherings are also an opportunity to exchange red envelopes (hongbao) containing money, a symbol of good fortune. Finally, the dances of the dragon and the lion add a spectacular dimension, punctuating the celebrations with vitality and tradition.
In Paris and Greater Paris, Chinese New Year celebrations come to life in several emblematic venues. The 13th arrondissement is a must with its spectacular parades and traditional dances. In Belleville and Le Marais, the atmosphere is just as festive, with animations, Chinese markets and cultural shows. In the Greater Paris area, towns like Noisy-le-Grand, Ivry-sur-Seine and Alfortville are also organising major events, with parades and workshops for all the family. These festivities provide an opportunity to discover the richness of Chinese culture across the metropolis.
Paris is a vibrant city where festivals and celebrations punctuate the year. Not-to-be-missed events such as Nuit Blanche, Fête de la Musique and Paris Plages attract locals and visitors alike. The capital also celebrates a variety of cultural traditions, such as the Chinese New Year, and hosts internationally renowned festivals such as Rock en Seine or the Festival de Jazz à Saint-Germain-des-Prés.
Paris is packed with exciting events in January and February 2025, combining culture, art and tradition. In January, discover the winter sales, enjoy the major exhibitions in the museums, and experience the magic of Chinese New Year with its parades and entertainment.
In February, celebrate Valentine's Day with romantic and unusual activities, explore the winter festivals and be seduced by the exhibitions and shows.
Paris offers a multitude of Asian restaurants to suit all tastes, from Chinese to Japanese, Vietnamese or Thai. Visit neighbourhoods such as Belleville or the 13th arrondissement, famous for their culinary diversity. To discover some unmissable addresses, explore the Paris je t'aime selection. You can also travel through 24 cuisines of the world by discovering authentic flavours thanks to this selection of restaurants.
The Year of the Snake begins on Wednesday 29 January 2025 and ends on Monday 16 February 2026, giving way on Tuesday 17 February 2026 to the Year of the Fire Horse.
In February, Paris offers a wide choice of outings for lovers: exhibitions, shows, fairs...
