Historic Edinburgh transformed this week into a vibrant celebration of Chinese Spring Festival traditions, blending Scottish charm with Lunar New Year magic. With 2026 marking the Year of the Horse 🐎, the city's Old Town became a stage for dragon dances, calligraphy workshops, and shared feasts of dumplings and haggis bao buns.
East Meets North
Local student Eilidh MacLeod told us: 'I never thought I'd learn fan dancing steps between lectures! The lantern-making workshop sold out faster than Taylor Swift tickets.' Meanwhile, Chinese students organized a 'Great Wall to Arthur's Seat' hiking group, merging sightseeing with cultural exchange.
Economic Gallop
Edinburgh's businesses report a 40% surge in red envelope-themed merchandise sales this season. The city council plans to expand the festival footprint in 2027, recognizing its growing appeal to Asia-focused young professionals.
Home Across the Seas
For Shanghai-born chef Li Wei, now running a popular fusion restaurant: 'Making tangyuan rice balls with Scottish strawberries feels like writing love letters to both homes.' The community's 'Digital Reunion' livestream connected families across 8 time zones during last night's Lantern Festival finale.
