Celebrate Lunar New Year 2026 with Sutton Libraries
Welcome the Year of the Horse 🐎
Lunar New Year 2026 marks the Year of the Horse, a symbol of energy, resilience, and forward movement. Sutton Libraries and Cultural Services are delighted to invite you to celebrate with a vibrant programme of family-friendly events, creative activities, and cultural experiences across our libraries and historic houses.
Events & Activities
Celebrate Lunar New Year 2026 at Sutton Central Library!
Join us for a vibrant afternoon of culture, tradition, and family fun as we celebrate the Year of the Horse. Sutton Central Library is proud to be the heart of this year’s Community Celebration, hosting an array of performances and interactive activities for all ages.
Highlights at the Library
1:00 PM – Grand Opening Ceremony
Witness the spectacular “Brightening of the Lion’s Eyes” (點睛) ceremony to kick off the festivities, followed by a series of high-energy performances:
- Traditional Lion Dance 🦁
- Traditional Chinese Music 🎵
- Cantonese Storytelling 📖
- Pop Dance & Tai Chi Performances 🥋
Interactive Game Stalls & Crafting
The 2nd floor will be transformed into a festive hub featuring hands-on activities inspired by Lunar New Year traditions:
- Game Stalls: test your skills and learn about Lunar New Year traditions.
- Crafting Stalls: create your own festive decorations to take home.
- Stamp Card Challenge: start your journey here! Collect stamps at our library game stalls to unlock exclusive discounts at the Festival Markets and redeem a special gift at Oru Space.
Booking: Book your place / view details
Lunar New Year Trail at Whitehall Historic House
Gallop into the Lunar New Year with us at Whitehall this half term!
2026 is the Year of the Horse, and we’ve prepared a wonderful Zodiac Animal Trail for the whole family to enjoy. Come along and make your very own Chinese paper lantern and learn about Lunar New Year traditions with Whitehall’s smallest resident, Millie the Mouse!
Tickets: £2 each
Payment: Paid on arrival (credit / debit card)
Cantonese Storytime (Monthly at Sutton Central Library)
Join us monthly at Sutton Central Library for Cantonese Storytime! Spark your child’s imagination, nurture their language skills, and plant seeds of kindness and love in their little hearts — a warm, shared experience for children and their families.
Booking: View dates & book
Saddle Up and Ride into Lunar New Year 2026 at Honeywood!
Join us this half term to celebrate Lunar New Year 2026, the Year of the Horse! Get ready for an exciting range of equine-themed activities, including a new trail and some thrilling horse-themed crafts. It’s sure to be a fantastic celebration worth neighing about!
Drop in during open times
Tickets: £2
Payment: Paid on arrival (credit / debit card)
Booking: View details / check opening times
Make a Lunar New Year Decoration (with Stitches Academy)
Come and join Stitches Academy to make beautiful, hand sewn Lunar New Year decorations. This workshop is open for children ages 6+.
Children of all abilities are welcome — no sewing experience is necessary. Just come along, learn some new skills, and take away a beautiful decoration to display proudly in your home. All materials are supplied.
Stitches Academy have been running workshops in the Sutton area for over 11 years, providing classes and workshops in all areas of textiles and sewing for children and adults — both at their Sutton town centre workshop and out at community events.
Discover Lunar New Year with Our Collections
📚 Physical Books Collection
With collaboration from our local Hong Kong community and their volunteers, we have developed a collection of almost 1,000 titles for adults and children, covering a wide range of subjects — from culture, history, and folklore to contemporary fiction, language learning, and family picture books.
All items are free to borrow with your Sutton Libraries card. If you’re not sure where to start, ask staff in any branch and we will help you find books that match your interests and reading level.
📖 Bilingual Stories with LOTE4Kids
Introduce your child to the beauty of storytelling in multiple languages with LOTE4Kids, our online platform featuring children’s books in over 60 languages. It’s a brilliant way to celebrate Lunar New Year at home — read together in Mandarin, Cantonese, or English, and explore new vocabulary as you go.
Stories can be enjoyed anytime, on most devices, using your library card — perfect for family reading, language learners, and households that enjoy bilingual stories.
📰 Read the News with PressReader
Stay connected with global celebrations and stories about Lunar New Year with PressReader, our digital newspaper and magazine platform. Browse thousands of publications in multiple languages, including titles from China, Hong Kong, and across Asia.
Whether you want to see how different countries celebrate, explore cultural features, or simply enjoy reading in another language, PressReader is a great way to broaden your perspective — and it’s free with your library card.
🌏 Learn a new language with Transparent Language Online
Celebrate the global spirit of Lunar New Year by exploring a new language with Transparent Language Online! If you’re looking to brush up on your Mandarin or Cantonese skills — or try something entirely different — this free resource offers engaging lessons, vocabulary tools, and cultural insights.
Learn at your own pace, track your progress, and dip in for just a few minutes at a time. Accessible anytime with your library card.
🎧 eBooks and Audiobooks
Prefer reading on your phone or listening on the go? With Libby and OverDrive, you can access a wide range of eBooks and audiobooks about Lunar New Year traditions, Chinese culture, and related fiction for all ages.
From festive picture books for children to novels and nonfiction for adults, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Simply download the app(s), sign in with your library card, and start exploring wherever you are — perfect for commutes, cosy evenings, and holiday reading.