Ring in the Year of the Horse with this festive Chinese New Year celebration at Wereldmuseum Leiden

Fancy celebrating the Chinese New Year with leaping lion dances, traditional music, and hands-on workshops? Wereldmuseum Leiden is going all out on Sunday, February 15, 2026, to welcome the Year of the Horse. And yes, you’re invited.

Picture this: a spectacular lion dance that’ll chase away the bad vibes, the sweet sounds of traditional Chinese instruments, and enough cultural workshops to keep you busy all day.

Add in some Chinese nibbles, and you’ve got yourself a festive family day that beats sitting at home in the drizzle.

The Spring Festival (aka Chinese New Year) kicks off a 15-day celebration that’s basically the biggest deal in the Chinese calendar. This year is the year of the horse, which symbolises energy, freedom, and the kind of determination that’ll get you through a Dutch winter.

What’s on offer?

Lion dance spectacular

Watch acrobats bring a traditional lion to life with colourful costumes and rhythmic moves that’ll wake you right up. Snap a photo with the lion afterwards for the ultimate bewijs (proof) you actually did something cultural this weekend.

🐴 When: 10:45 AM | Where: Outside | Cost: Free

Enjoy Chinese hapjes from Restaurant Woo Ping

One of the Netherlands’ oldest Chinese restaurants is serving up authentic New Year nibbles all day. Perfect for when you need a snack break between workshops.

🐴 When: 11:30 AM to 4:30 PM | Where: Museum café

Live music: Year of the Horse

Let the haunting tones of the erhu (Chinese violin) transport you with traditional pieces like Horse Racing, Blooming Flowers, and Full Moon. There’s even a Q&A with the musicians afterwards if you’re feeling curious.

🐴 When: 2:00 PM to 2:45 PM | Where: Main Hall | Capacity: 125 people, drop-in

The Chinese character: guided tour

Leiden University expert Jeroen Wiedenhof will walk you through 3,200 years of Chinese writing, from ancient inscriptions on bone to modern calligraphy. Multiple time slots available.

🐴 When: 1:00 PM, 2:00 PM, 3:00 PM (25 minutes each) | Where: China Hall | Capacity: 10 people, sign up at reception | Cost: Free

Topstukken China tour

Join a museum guide to explore Chinese painting, traditions like tea drinking to balance your qi, and the historical innovations that gave us paper, porcelain, and some pretty impressive fireworks.

🐴 When: 12:00 PM and 4:00 PM (35 minutes) | Capacity: 20 people, sign up at reception | Cost: Free | Ages: 10+

Kung Fu workshop by Yan Ling

Learn the martial arts moves behind the lion dance in this hands-on session. There are two time slots: one for teens and adults (12+) and one for younger kids (6+).

🐴 When: 1:45 PM (ages 12+) and 3:15 PM (ages 6+) | Where: Small hall | Capacity: 25 people, sign up 15 minutes before | Cost: Free

Creative workshop with Sioe Jeng Tsao

Blend Chinese New Year traditions with Papuan art in this unique workshop that explores protective symbols and patterns from both cultures. Book ahead for this one.

🐴 When: 12:45 PM to 2:15 PM | Capacity: 20 people | Cost: €5 | Ages: Adults

Film: MEER DAN BABI PANGANG

This documentary explores the cultural identity wrapped up in the iconic Dutch-Chinese dish. There will also be a Q&A with the filmmaker and a preview screening before it hits cinemas on 17 February.

🐴 When: 3:15 PM (film), 4:30 PM (Q&A) | Where: Great Hall | Capacity: 125 people, drop-in

Incense bead workshop

Discover the ancient art of Chinese incense-making, handle natural ingredients, watch a demo, and craft your own fragrant beads to take home.

When: 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM | Cost: €10 | Ages: Adults | Capacity: 30 people

This is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of all the activities. Check out the event page to explore even more.

Say no more, give me all the deets

Here’s what you need to know before you head over:

⏰ When: Sunday, February 15, 2026, activities from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM (lion dance kicks off at 10:45 AM)

📍 Where: Wereldmuseum Leiden, Steenstraat 1, 2312 BS Leiden

🎟️ Entry: Museum admission applies, but most activities are free once you’re in (some workshops require paid tickets — see below)

🙋‍♀️ Drop-in style: Most events are first-come, first-served, so arrive early for popular activities

Ready to welcome the Year of the Horse?

Whether you’re there for the cultural immersion, the workshops, or just the excuse to eat proper Chinese food in a museum, this sounds like a brilliant way to spend a Sunday.

Intrigued? Book your tickets on Wereldmuseum Leiden’s website.

Planning to join the festivities, or will you be celebrating Chinese New Year in your own way? Let us know in the comments below!