Chinese New Year in the Netherlands

What it looks like on the street 

If you want to experience Chinese New Year "outside", you don't need to fly to Asia. In the Netherlands, you can join the celebrations right here in Chinatown Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague. In Rotterdam and The Hague the celebrations are much bigger because of subsidy and help from the municipality. Unfortunately Amsterdam's municipality does not help, subsidize or support the Chinatown here, so the Chinese New year celebration is kept smaller, but still very "gezellig".

Amsterdam: Chinatown vibes around Zeedijk

Amsterdam's celebrations can feel more "neighbourhood-focused". Around Zeedijk and Nieuwmarkt, you'll find Chinatown energy that mixes tradition with city life. You will see lions dancing in the street and sometimes a dragon too. The lions will be dancing in front of restaurants and shops to bless the new year for good business. Some will be lighting the famous red rolls of fireworks to ward off the evil spirits and cover the street in red firework paper. The celebrations start with a ceremony at the Chinese Temple on Zeedijk after which the lions will stroll around visiting all the restaurants and shops. You will see people filming on their phones whilst someone else is trying to cycle through the crowd (classic Amsterdam).

Rotterdam: West-Kruiskade turns into a festival street

In Rotterdam, the celebrations often feel like a proper street party: busy, lively, and welcoming. Around West-Kruiskade, the programme is designed for families and curious first-timers as well as people who grew up with the traditions. Expect lion and dragon dances, music, performances, and workshops. You'll usually see the moment when the "lion" is brought to life—that's when the crowd really leans in.

What makes Rotterdam special is how open it feels. You're not watching from a distance; you're standing right in it. You hear the drums in your chest, catch the smell of snacks as you walk, and realise you've been grinning for ten minutes without noticing. If you're looking for an easy entry point into the festival atmosphere, Rotterdam is an excellent choice.

The Hague: Chinatown and City Hall, all in one day

The Hague has something very charming: it combines the energy of the street with the feeling of an official celebration. Festivities take place around Chinatown (Wagenstraat and the surrounding area) and also in and around City Hall, and the events are designed to be accessible, so you can simply turn up and join in.

If you've never seen a lion dance up close, The Hague is where it often clicks. The movement is playful and dramatic at the same time. There's noise and colour, but also a kind of rhythm that feels almost ceremonial. Because the crowds are mixed—families, tourists, locals, people who came for culture and people who came for food—it becomes a very Dutch version of "togetherness". Not in a forced way, but in a natural "we're all here anyway" way.

That's the thing: Chinese New Year in the Netherlands doesn't try to copy one single version of the festival. It adapts. It becomes Rotterdam-style, The Hague-style, Amsterdam-style. Still recognisable, still meaningful, but shaped by Dutch streets, Dutch timing, and Dutch practicality.

What it looks like at home

The public celebrations are wonderful, but the heart of Chinese New Year is still at home. In the Netherlands, many families celebrate in a way that fits their lives here. That often means planning around work and school, so the "big meal" might be on a weekend. It can mean combining traditions—perhaps a family dinner that feels a bit like Christmas, but with different flavours and symbols. And it often means food that brings everyone to the table, because food is the easiest language when you have mixed backgrounds in one family.

Some households decorate with red items, because red symbolises good fortune and protection. Some give red envelopes (hongbao), especially to children. Some visit community events, whilst others keep it small and quiet. But the common thread is the same: you're closing one chapter and opening another, together.

What dessert is eaten during Chinese New Year?

Tangyuan are soft, chewy glutinous rice balls, often served in a warm syrup. Traditionally they're eaten during the Lantern Festival, but they're also connected to Chinese New Year and family gatherings because the name is linked to the idea of reunion and togetherness.

In other words, tangyuan is not just a dessert—it's a message. It's round because it represents completeness. It's served warm because it's meant to comfort. And it's shared because that's the whole point. If you want to try making it yourself, use Dun Yong's traditional recipe.

If you've spent the day outside watching lion dances, walking through Chinatown, and buying little treats, this is the perfect way to end it. You go home, put a pot on the stove, and the whole kitchen suddenly smells like ginger and sweetness. The Dutch winter becomes a little softer, and the festival feels closer. After a whole day out, you probably don't want to make your own Tangyuan—at Dun Yong you can buy them ready-made!