Event Preview | MBL Lunar New Year Family Cultural Day
The Lunar New Year is not only a festival. It is also a time for memory, companionship, and cultural continuity.
On Sunday 22 February 2026, The Mothers’ Bridge of Love (MBL) will host the MBL Lunar New Year Family Cultural Day at Charing Cross Library in London. Children, families, and members of the public from diverse cultural backgrounds are warmly invited to gather in this shared public space to welcome a Lunar New Year that is lively, gentle, and full of meaning.
Highlights of the Day
Lion Dance Opening
Three costume shows will take place during the day, and each session will begin with a vibrant lion dance performance.
No matter when you arrive, you will be welcomed by the sound of drums and movement, marking the moment when the Lunar New Year truly begins.
Children’s Ethnic Minority Costume Show with Interactive Experience
Traditional children’s costumes from several Chinese ethnic minority groups will step out from the exhibition space and into the live event.
Children will be invited to try on the costumes, walk the stage, and take photos. In a relaxed and playful atmosphere, they’ll bring to life history worn on the body.
Lunar New Year Craft Workshops
Paper cutting, calligraphy, and lantern making workshops will run at the same time and are suitable for children of different ages.
All handmade items can be taken home, becoming personal keepsakes of this Lunar New Year.
Meet the Authors and Book Signing
Throughout the day, Chinese authors will be present for informal conversations and book signing.
Parents and children are welcome to meet the authors, encounter stories, and build genuine connections between books and people.
Programme Schedule
All three sessions feature the same content.
10:45 to 15:15 Craft workshops + Author signing (open all day)
Session One:
10:45 to 11:00 Lion dance opening
11:00 to 12:00 Children’s ethnic minority costume show
Session Two:
12:45 to 13:00 Lion dance opening
13:00 to 14:00 Children’s ethnic minority costume show
Session Three:
14:00 to 14:15 Lion dance opening
14:15 to 15:15 Children’s ethnic minority costume show
Event Information
Date: Sunday 22 February 2026
Time: 10:00 to 16:00
Location: Ground Floor, Charing Cross Library, 4–6 Charing Cross Road, London WC2H 0HF
Admission: Free entry, family friendly, no Chinese language requirement
Also on Display in the Libaray
Chinese Ethnic Minority Children’s Costume Exhibition
Exhibition dates: 26 January to 30 March 2026
Location: Charing Cross Library
The exhibition presents 16 sets of traditional children’s costumes from different Chinese ethnic minority communities, including Miao, Tibetan, Yi, Mongolian, Bai, Zhuang, and Dong groups.
In many ethnic minority cultures, children’s clothing is more than everyday dress. It carries history, belief, and blessing. Mothers stitch mountains, rivers, flowers, birds, and prayers into each garment, stitch by stitch. These costumes are history worn on the body and childhood carefully protected.
The children’s ethnic costume show on 22 February is an extension of this exhibition. It allows the costumes to move beyond static display and become alive again through children’s steps and smiles.
This Lunar New Year, we warmly invite you and your children to step into the library together and celebrate this joyful season!