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Opening of the National Spring Festival and National Chinese New Year, 14 February 2026, The Hague City Hall

The National Chinese New Year celebration in the Netherlands has been an important national and international event for 23 years. It always takes place at the end of January or the beginning of February each year, due to the difference between the Western and the Chinese calendars. On the occasion of the National Chinese New Year 2026 celebration, the Chinese associations in the Netherlands have organized a wonderful cultural performance and Chinese market in The Hague.

National Spring Festival in Den Haag, 14 t/m 21 februari 2026

The “National Spring Festival” program includes a wide range of Asian/Chinese and Dutch cultural activities. This is the first time the Spring Festival celebration has been spread over several days. The National Spring Festival aims to create an annually recurring multi-day Spring Festival platform, based on more than twenty years of experience, including the New Year celebration in The Hague. The National Chinese New Year is the largest international/Asian/Chinese event in the Netherlands. The National Spring Festival forms the foundation for this and is therefore an important event that contributes to cooperation in the fields of culture, business, and tourism. In addition to culture, the week-long program offers many opportunities to network and make connections.

Date / Time Location Activity
14.2  10:30 City Hall Welcome
14.2  11:00-11:30 Chinatown Dragon & Lion Dance
14.2  12:00 City Hall Speeches
14.2  13:00-14:00 City Hall Performance
14.2  14:00-14:30 City Hall Break
14.2  14:00-15:30 City Hall Local Performance
14.2  19:00-22:30 City Hall Gala Dinner
14.2  11:00-17:00 Amare Culture Market
14.2  13:00-17:00 Amare Local Performance
15.2  13:00-16:00 Outdoor Children’s Competition
19.2  22:00-Midnight Club Asian Party
20.2  20:00-22:00 Pathe China Film Day
21.2  11:00 Amare Setup Culture Market
21.2  12:00 Amare Opening, Dragon & Lion Dance and Welcome
21.2  13:30-17:30 Chinatown Firework Show, Dragon & Lion Dance and Welcome the Wealth God
21.2  14:30-17:00 Amare Local Performance

2026年荷兰各界共同庆祝中国马年新春周

日期 / 时间 地点 活动内容
2.14  10:30 市政厅 欢迎致辞
2.14  11:00-11:30 唐人街 舞龙舞狮表演
2.14  12:00 市政厅 贵宾入场讲话
2.14  13:00-14:00 市政厅 歌剧欣赏
2.14  14:00-14:30 市政厅 午餐 / 中场休息
2.14  14:00-15:30 市政厅 本地表演
2.14  19:00-22:30 市政厅 晚宴
2.14  11:00-17:00 Amare 文化摊位
2.14  13:00-17:00 Amare 本地表演
2.15  13:00-16:00 户外舞台 儿童表演
2.19  22:00-午夜 Club 亚洲派对
2.20  20:00-22:00 Pathe 电影院 中国电影节
2.21  11:00 Amare 文化摊位布置
2.21  12:00 Amare 开幕式伴舞龙舞狮
2.21  13:30-17:30 唐人街 烟花表演、舞龙舞狮表演和迎财神
2.21  14:30-17:00 Amare 本地表演

China Town The Hague, Saturday 21 February celebration of the Year of the Horse 2026

On Saturday 21 February 2026, the festivities begin with the National Spring Festival Chinese New Year in Chinatown The Hague. This spectacular event celebrates the start of the new year according to the Chinese calendar—a moment filled with happiness, prosperity, and tradition. According to the Chinese zodiac, 2026 is entirely dedicated to the horse.

Activities in Chinatown The Hague on 21 February

The festival will be festively opened at 12:30 on the Gedempte Burgwal, where new lions are brought to life according to centuries-old traditions. The ceremony is accompanied by an impressive drum show.

At 13:30, the Chinese lions and dragons, accompanied by music, will parade through Chinatown. The procession starts with loud fireworks at the Gedempte Burgwal and the Chinese Gate.

Afterwards, you can enjoy the colorful parade along the Gedempte Burgwal, Gedempte Gracht, Wagenstraat, St. Jacobstraat, and Rabbijn Maarsenplein until 18:00.

From 12:00 to 18:00, you can also admire a special exhibition featuring sculptures of the Chinese zodiac, located at Rabbijn Maarsenplein and the parking area near De Bijenkorf.

Since the beginning in 2002, Chinatown has consistently been one of the key co-organizers of all New Year activities. In 2026, the national celebration of the National Spring Festival (Chinese New Year) will take place from 14 to 21 February.

On Saturday 21 February, most of the Chinatown festivities will take place. Chinatown The Hague is an area where everyone—young and old—feels at home and safe, and where there is so much to experience, see, taste, feel, and discover.

Chinatown also takes part on Saturday 14 February at The Hague City Hall with a festive and varied program featuring Chinese lion dance, Chinese dance performances, and performances by well-known Chinese and Dutch artists.

The Chinese lion and dragon dance also plays an important role in Chinatown. The dragon is known as a symbol of higher ancestry and power; the lion symbolizes luck and prosperity. That is why Chinese New Year is always festively ushered in with a colorful dragon and lion dance parade, accompanied by lots of fireworks and, of course, a delicious Chinese feast for family, friends, and important relations.

It will once again be a series of wonderful events for young and old, with parades, Chinese lion dances, and especially the culinary highlights in the wonderful restaurants in Chinatown.

Program 21 February (subject to change)

  • 12:30 Festive opening at the Gedempte Burgwal, with an impressive
    drum show and new lions being brought to life.
  • 13:30 – 18:30 Parade of Chinese lions and dragons, accompanied by music,
    through Chinatown.
    Fireworks at the Gedempte Burgwal and the Chinese Gate.
  • 12:00 to 18:00 Special exhibition of Chinese zodiac sculptures at
    Rabbijn Maarsenplein
  • 12:00 Every day until closing time, enjoy the culinary highlights
    in Chinatown’s wonderful restaurants.

Practical information

The Chinese New Year festival is free of charge for everyone. Please note that the streets in Chinatown are car-free all day. Coming by car? You can park in the Q-Park garage on Amsterdamse Veerkade or in the parking garage at Lutherse Burgwal 25.

History of Chinatown The Hague

In the 1970s, the municipality decided to renovate the neighborhood. More and more Chinese people subsequently settled there, and later it became known as “Chinatown.” The area has since become a cozy, lively multicultural neighborhood with hardworking entrepreneurs and residents, full of various toko shops, small eateries, restaurants, supermarkets, specialty stores, and shops.

The increased business activity and diversity of shops and restaurants not only attract entrepreneurs, but also visitors. Many people from the The Hague region and the city itself know how to find the good restaurants, toko shops, and specialty stores. Chinatown The Hague also attracts many visitors from the rest of the country. They often combine dining out with shopping. In addition, day-trippers come for festivals such as Chinese New Year. Foreign visitors also find their way to Chinatown The Hague more and more easily.

The BIZ Chinatown The Hague Foundation

Over the past decade, the entrepreneurs of Chinatown The Hague have joined forces and formed a BIZ (Business Investment Zone) that is officially supported by the Municipality of The Hague. The primary goals are to represent the interests of local entrepreneurs and to work together to position Chinatown The Hague as “the” Chinatown of the Netherlands. To achieve this, activities are jointly developed with the Municipality of The Hague to put the area firmly on the map—strengthening its unique charm and Asian appearance—and to contribute to the local economy and livability.

The BIZ Chinatown The Hague Foundation is an active advocate, cooperation partner, connector, and promoter. The board of BIZ Chinatown The Hague maintains close contacts with various parties, such as the municipality, police, residents’ associations, property owners, neighborhood organizations, and other BIZ associations, to achieve optimal cooperation, coordination, and advocacy for Chinatown The Hague.

The Chinese lion and dragon dance also plays an important role here. The dragon is known as a symbol of higher ancestry and power; the lion symbolizes luck and prosperity. That is why Chinese New Year is always festively ushered in with a colorful dragon and lion dance parade, accompanied by lots of fireworks and, of course, a delicious Chinese feast for family, friends, and important relations.

January 28th 2025, The ‘National Chinese New Year’ in Rotterdam The Year of the Snake

The celebration of the National Chinese New Year “Year of the Snake” takes place on: Tuesday, January 28th 2025, at Theater Zuidplein, Rotterdam.

To celebrate the National Chinese New Year 2025, the Chinese associations in the Netherlands have organized a grand cultural performance and Chinese market at the Zuidplein Theater in Rotterdam.

Description of the image

Haiyan Xu

Haiyan Xu has been chosen as the chairperson for the National Chinese New Year celebration of 2025.

It promises to be a fantastic program, organized on January 28th at the Zuidplein Theater in Rotterdam, according to Tin Yuan, the right-hand of chairperson Haiyan Xu. Approximately 80 Chinese organizations from across the Netherlands have compiled a large Art Show featuring a variety of Chinese and Dutch artists and staff.

The celebration of the National Chinese New Year in the Netherlands has been an important national and international event for 22 years, says Tin. It has become a tradition akin to a large reunion where everyone reconnects and enjoys wonderful programs and delicious food together. It truly is a grand “family celebration of sharing.”

According to tradition, fireworks must be set off at the beginning of the Chinese New Year to scare away evil spirits. It is crucial that during these festivities, cultural customs are respected, and differences are honored.

The organizers are fully aware of the sensitivities and issues related to fireworks in the Netherlands and are mindful of this! The Dragon and the Lion will certainly be present to help drive away evil spirits and bring prosperity and good fortune for the “Year of the Snake.”

February 24, 2024 The ‘National Chinese New Year’ in The Hague The Year of the Dragon

The Hague City Hall, Spui 70: from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Chinatown The Hague, Wagenstraat area: from 10:00

On February 24th. the celebration of the ‘National Chinese New Year’, the “Year of the Dragon”, will be organized jointly with the Chinese community in the Netherlands (LFCON), the Municipality of The Hague and many other organizations. You are more than welcome in the Atrium of the City Hall and the Chinatown/Wagenstraat and surrounding areas of The Hague to celebrate this wonderful event.

The Chinese New Year is the most important festival of the year in Chinese culture and always takes place at the end of January or the beginning of February, due to the difference between the Western and Chinese calendars. According to the Chinese zodiac, 2024 will be the year of the dragon. Unlike the Western zodiac signs, the Chinese zodiac is based on the year of birth rather than the month of birth.

The Chinese lion and dragon dance plays an important role. The dragon is known as a symbol of higher descent and power, the lion symbolizes luck and prosperity. That is why the Chinese New Year is always festively heralded with a colorful dragon and lion dance parade, accompanied by decorative fireworks and of course a delicious Chinese feast for family, friends and important relations. All activities are free of charge.

The Year of the Dragon heralds a year of happiness, wealth, prosperity, and longevity! The Dragon is also the symbol of the emperor in ancient China. The Dragon represents strength and power, wealth and wisdom and is considered one of the luckiest animals in the Chinese zodiac.
Those born in the Year of the Dragon take on the characteristics of the Dragon. In China it is a great honor to be born in the year of the Dragon.

National Chinese New Year celebration at The Hague

Contrary to what the name suggests, the Chinese New Year is not an affair limited to Chinese population groups. In recent decades, the celebration has grown into a global phenomenon. In Paris, London and New York, San Francisco, Sydney, etc., the celebration of the Chinese New Year is included in the list of the largest annual recurring events in which all international sections participate in the cultural, political, and economic fields. It is an event in which the connections with China are refreshed and renewed.

The Chinese New Year is celebrated in all major cities in the Netherlands. In The Hague, the overarching “national” Chinese New Year has been celebrated with all Chinese organizations in the Netherlands since 2002.

Party all day in Chinatown and City Hall

In addition to the celebration at the town hall, the Chinese New Year is, as usual, also be celebrated in Chinatown / Wagenstraat and the surrounding area and in the center of The Hague. All festivities can be visited for free all day long!

Lili Dong, Chair of the Year of The Dragon, National Chinese New Year at The Hague City Hall

Lili was born in Dali in the Yunnan Province of China. She started in the world of television, working as a host and a producer for three years. In 2003 she came to the Netherlands to study and finalized with her bachelor’s degree in International Land and Water Management. Since her arrival in the Netherlands, she has been a beacon of unity and cultural exchange in Chinese and overseas Chinese communities and hosted and organized many events and galas over the past 20 years which have not only fostered cultural exchange but also solidified community bonds.

After her graduation she worked at Huawei as a personal assistant and transitioned into the world of entrepreneurship, laying the foundation for a successful career in Sino-Dutch cultural tourism, business ventures, and real estate. Lili’s company is based in The Hague’s Chinatown. “Always be joyful, never stop praying, and be thankful in all circumstances.” This has become her guiding principle. Her cheerful attitude, inclusivity, and open-mindedness are a testimony to the multicultural society that she calls home. Lili loves the Netherlands, and she has dedicated herself tirelessly to the Dutch Chinese community and the broader society

Despite all the problems, the cheerful celebration of the National Chinese New Year will be organized again as before in the City Hall of The Hague on 21 January 2023 !

For the past two years, the celebration could not take place due to the Corona crisis. The New Year’s wish of the Mayor Jan van Zanen in 2021, that this beautiful cultural event would take place again in the City Hall after the Corona crisis is hereby fulfilled. Due to the short time frame, the Corona traveling restrictions and the many geo-economic vicissitudes, it was uncertain whether it would be to continue. Against all expectations, all stakeholders fortunately decided to organize this international event again in the City-Hall of The Hague.

The Chinese New Year in The Hague has a long tradition. In 2002, the municipality of The Hague signed an agreement with the Chinese community, the LFCON and the embassy stating that the “National Chinese New Year Celebration (CNY)” would be held in The Hague from that year onwards.

The New Year festivities take place in the City Hall but also in the Chinatown of The Hague, with street parades on the Plein and in the city center of The Hague.
The Chinese New Year celebration in The Hague is a special event. It distinguishes itself from the New Year’s celebrations in the other major cities due to its size, the program, and unique collaboration with the municipality of The Hague. It is characteristic that young and old, both internationally and nationally, including the residents of The Hague, actively participate. It provides The Hague with a unique platform in the Netherlands, in which mutual culture, knowledge exchange and common values are the central focus.

The year of 2023 is the “Year of The Rabbit”. The overall organization on the Chinese side is in the hands of the Foundation for Chinese Cultural Events Netherlands (CCEN) and the annually elected committee of the “Year of the Rabbit”

The Netherlands China Association (VNC) coordinates and assists the CCEN on behalf of the municipality of The Hague with application procedures, activities, and communication. The VNC is an independent and non-subsidized Dutch organization which exists over 45 years and is one of the largest organizations in the Netherlands in this context. The VNC publishes the periodic cultural magazine “ChinaNu”.

Chairman National Chinese New Year Celebration 2023

Ms. Sujie Chi is an experienced entrepreneur. After finishing her study at the university, she came to the Netherlands. She and her husband have lived in The Netherlands for almost 30 years. Sujie Chi has been officially elected as the chairman of the committee for the 2023 National Chinese New Year Celebration. In addition to her entrepreneurship, she is also active as the chairman of the Wenzhou Overseas Association Foundation, which works for compatriots from this region. The Foundation supports major events and has also sponsored the Winter Olympic Games.

Sujie Chi introduced her committee in the City hall of The Hague and discussed the plans for the festivities. Without doubt it is going to be another great program again with wonderful performances of Dutch and Chinese top artists and cultural groups.

The Chinese New Year celebration in The Hague has become an important international celebration where family and friends gather to ring in the New Year. A wonderful celebration for everyone, said Sujie Chi.

Date: Saturday, January 21, 2023
Location: City Hall The Hague, Spui 70, 2500 DD The Hague
Start:  Procession 10:30 am
Program City Hall: 11:30 am to 4:00 pm (admission free)

Kung Fu Lion de eerste officiële Nederlandse coproductie met China

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Kung Fu Lion is de eerste film die is gemaakt binnen het filmverdrag China – NL. Kung Fu Lion is ook de eerste Nederlandse jeugdfilm in coproductie met China.

Kung Fu Lion is het hartverwarmende verhaal van twee jongens die leren dansen in een Chinese leeuw. Om zich echter als een leeuw te kunnen verplaatsen, moeten ze eerst leren samenwerken. De film heeft niets met politiek te maken en het is puur toeval dat dit thema zo actueel is juist in deze tijden van verdeeldheid en polarisatie en het is daarom ook belangrijk dat een positieve boodschap als deze wordt gehoord en ondersteund wordt.

Froukje Tan, schrijver en regisseur van Kung Fu Lion meldt dat het een sportieve familiefilm is, waarvoor ze zich liet inspireren door haar Kung Fu-school. Op deze school heeft ze ruim twintig jaar Tai Chi gegeven en ervaren hoe belangrijk de rol van een trainer, coach of Shifu is om opgroeiende kinderen een belangrijk basis te geven voor de rest van hun leven.

De Chinese Leeuw wordt vaak gebruikt om een universeel en verbindend verhaal te vertellen. De Nederlandse filmproducent Flinck Film heeft hierover een overeenkomst getekend met China Film Group Corporation (CFGC), de grootste filmproducent van China, om van de film Kung Fu Lion als eerste officiële Nederlandse coproductie met China te maken. De film wordt op 16 februari as. in Nederland uitgebracht en daarna in China.

Kung Fu Lion wordt rechtstreeks ondersteund door het Nederlands Filmfonds en de tegenhanger in China. Dit is uniek omdat het de eerste film is die is gecoproduceerd in het Chinees-Nederlandse filmverdrag.
Op zaterdag 21 januari wordt het Jaar van het Konijn officieel geopend in het Stadhuis van Den Haag. Zoals gebruikelijk zullen tienduizenden mensen in Den Haag het Chinese Nieuwjaar vieren en eraan deelnemen. Dit keer wordt er de dag daarna echter een bijzonder item aan het programma toegevoegd. De Chinese gemeenschap zal in samenwerking met de VNC en de gemeente Den Haag de film Kung Fu Lion promoten tijdens de Chinese nieuwjaarsviering en zal een “voorpremière” organiseren in de bioscoop Pathe Buitenhof in Den Haag op zondag 22 januari 2023 om 13.30 uur. Na de film is er een receptie met de filmsterren, regisseurs en crew en gasten.

De voorpremière van Kung Fu Lion is mede mogelijk gemaakt door de bovenvermelde organisaties, en ook door Eikenrode Investment B.V., 思腾国际 Steng International, Uplus Holding Coöperatief U.A., Zhong Hua International Trading B.V., Landelijke Federatie Chinese Jongerenvereniging 荷兰华人⻘年联合会

Happy New Year!

Unfortunately, due to the corona measures, it is not possible this year to gather for the national Chinese New Year celebration in the Atrium of The Hague City Hall. We will therefore have to celebrate the year of the tiger in a different way. However, the Municipality of The Hague, the Foundation of Chinese Cultural Events in the Netherlands (CCEN) and the VNC have prepared a New Year’s greeting that will certainly get you in the mood for the New Year.
It will be a special year! First and foremost, of course, the Winter Olympics, which start in China on Friday 4 February. But it will also be 50 years ago this year, that the Netherlands established diplomatic relations with China. And finally, the Netherlands China Association will also be celebrating its 45th anniversary this year! We will celebrate these anniversaries appropriately and wish you all a very good and healthy year of the tiger.

Chinese New Year The Hague 2020

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Zaterdag 25 januari 2020 is het weer zover! De viering van het Landelijk Chinese nieuwjaar wordt volgens de organisatoren nog groter en spectaculairder dan eerdere jaren. Een keur aan artiesten uit China wordt overgevlogen. Bekende Chinese ven Nederlandse artiesten tezamen met de Chinese verenigingen in Nederland zorgen voor een prachtig evenement.

Het Landelijk Chinees Nieuwjaar in Den Haag is een ware traditie geworden en onderscheidt zich door de vele duizenden bezoekers en speciale ambiance van andere nieuwjaarsvieringen in Nederland. Het feest wordt in 2020 voor de achttiende keer gehouden in Den Haag.

2020 staat in het teken van het jaar van de Rat. Een persoon geboren in het jaar van de Rat is intelligent, ambitieus, charmant, energiek en sociaal. De Rat is een harde werker en houdt ervan om onder de mensen te zijn. Ze kunnen de meest onmogelijke doelen bereiken door het aannemen van unieke kansen.

De VNC zal op verzoek van de gemeente Den Haag wederom tezamen met de Stichting Chinese Culturele Evenementen Nederland de algehele coördinatie voeren. De toegang is gratis. Nadere informatie is te vinden op de www.chineesnieuwjaar-denhaag.nl en www.vnc-china.nl

Datum: 25 januari 2020

Locatie: Stadhuis Den Haag, Spui 70, 2500 DD Den Haag

Aanvang: Optocht 10:00 uur; Programma Stadhuis: 11:00 tot 16:00 uur

Chinese New Year Festival 2019 in The Hague

The celebration of the Chinese New Year in The Hague on February 9 was a great success, both in the City Hall and in Chinatown. Due to the strong wind, the fireworks could not go on, but the parades of lions and dragons through the city attracted a large audience. The national celebration in the town hall was attended by many dignitaries from home and abroad. The festival was opened by Mayor Krikke of The Hague, the Chinese ambassador and former minister Laurens-Jan Brinkhorst. What followed was a dazzling show by a world famous Kungfu, song and dance group from Henan province in China. After the break, the show was continued by Dutch-Chinese artists. As in previous years, the Chinese cultural market attracted a large audience, especially the tables with Chinese calligraphy and paper cutting. The Year of the Pig lasts until January 25, 2020. Then the Year of the Rat begins with another festival.
The photo gallery on this website gives a good impression of the festival in recent years.

CNY 2019 Den Haag (foto Richard Mulder)

The Hague ready for Chinese New Festival

Tomorrow, February 9, The Hague will celebrate the start of the Chinese year of the Pig. At 10:00 the City Hall will be ready for welcoming the VIP representatives from governments and business and presenting a splendid show by Chinese and Dutch artists.
Chinatown will be full of colour and noise, when troupes of chinese lions and drakes parade through the streets.

The festival will be officially opened by the Mayor The Hague Ms Pauline Krikke, former Minister of Economic Affairs Mr Laurens Jan Brinkhorst and Charges d’affaires of P.R. China Mr Chen Ribiao.
The festival is free for public. So join us in the city centre of The Hague to celebrate Chinese New Year.

For more information see program

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