Chinese Calligraphy and Lantern Making Workshop

Brush-write Chinese characters & build a glowing lantern featuring your own calligraphy



2 hours Class size 1 to 6 guests    

  £48 - £53 (£53 per guest when you book for 1 guest, £48/guest for 2+ guests)
London Activities
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Craft
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Paper Craft & Ink
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Calligraphy & Brush Lettering
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Kids activities Experience Gifts
Merge the ancient art of Chinese calligraphy with the timeless craft of lantern making in this unique, hands-on workshop.
With step-by-step guidance from your tutor, you'll learn how to use traditional Chinese brushes to write Chinese characters and gain insight into the history and beauty of this ancient art form.
For beginners, we usually teach the character Fu (福), one of the most beloved Chinese characters, meaning good fortune, blessings, and happiness. Its balanced structure makes it ideal for first-time calligraphy learners while introducing essential brush techniques.
If you'd like an extra challenge, you're welcome to try our pre-selected classical Chinese poems. Please note that these options are significantly more difficult and may require additional guidance during the workshop.
Afterwards, you'll assemble your very own traditional Chinese lantern and decorate it with your newly learned calligraphy. (Bonus: it lights up!) Whether it's a meaningful gift or a unique decoration for your home, you'll leave with a beautiful handmade lantern full of personal significance.
If you'd like to write a custom phrase or have a specific theme in mind, please contact us before the workshop so we can prepare suitable reference materials for you.
【Please note that this workshop runs alongside our Chinese Seal Carving Workshop (篆刻), taught by the same instructor. The two practices are closely connected within the tradition of Chinese art, and there will be a maximum of 6 participants in total.】

Please note: Public dates for this class require at least 2 guests to run. In the unlikely event that we don't reach this number, we may cancel the session; if that happens, we'll inform you and let you choose between a refund or reschedule, so please watch your email/SMS one day prior to the class.

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Upcoming dates for Chinese Calligraphy and Lantern Making Workshop

Times are London time. Dates and prices as of 13 Oct 2026, 7:50pm; availability and price are confirmed live when booking on this page.

8 upcoming dates between 18 Oct 2026 and 24 Jan 2027.

  • Sun 18 Oct 2026, 3pm-5pm
  • Fri 30 Oct 2026, 6:30am-8:30am
  • Fri 13 Nov 2026, 6:30am-8:30am
  • Sun 29 Nov 2026, 3pm-5pm
  • Sun 13 Dec 2026, 10:30am-12:30pm
  • Fri 18 Dec 2026, 6:30am-8:30am
  • Fri 8 Jan 2027, 6:30am-8:30am
  • Sun 24 Jan 2027, 3pm-5pm
What you'll get
  • A glowing electronic lantern with your Chinese calligraphy written on it.
  • Learn the basics of writing Chinese characters using a traditional brush.
Read more details   
Knowledge required
Beginner-friendly
What to bring
no requirements
Suitable for

This class is great for individuals and couples as well as for a date idea, birthday or hen do.

Suitable for adults, and kids (minimum 5 years old).

An adult must accompany any attending kids (the adult may observe for free).

This experience would also be a creative gift for her, gift for mum, Xmas gift or gift for couples.


FAQ

Can I choose my own calligraphy to write?
Absolutely! If you'd like to write your own word or phrase, please contact us before the workshop. We'll do our best to accommodate your request within the two-hour session. Please note that very long or complex phrases may not be suitable for beginners or possible to complete within the workshop time.
Location

15 Throgmorton Ave, London EC2N 2BY

This venue is within walking distance of Barbican, St. Paul's and Chancery Lane tube stations

Chinese Calligraphy and Lantern Making Workshop location
Verified reviews


Our reviewers receive the same incentives regardless of the ratings or comments provided

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Recent reviews of Chinese Calligraphy and Lantern Making Workshop

  • 5/5 from Grace Ajibade, attended Sep 2026: We had an amazing time learning calligraphy. They were patient and very great fun.
  • 5/5 from Jaspal Chudge, attended Jul 2026: Great class learning Chinese Calligraphy. What the stokes mean. The Teacher was excellent, engaged with us, patient whilst teaching. So much fun
  • 3/5 from Angelika Olszowa-Maciejewska, attended Jul 2026: Disappointed with the class, it felt chaotic, the teacher wasn't very hands-on, it seemed like she was conducting the class for the first time (it wasn't Ke). It was the two of us + the teacher, it's hard to imagine what the class would look like with full attendance. The class description mentions a poem but we were shown only two characters. The instructions for building the lanterns were on a QR code that didn't work for us because it linked to Weixin, we had to watch a video on the teacher's phone (she didn't know how to build them). We weren't informed that the usual teacher was unavailable.
  • 5/5 from Camilla Capotorto, attended Jun 2026: My friends and I had an amazing time, we highly recommend this workshop and the teacher (Kebao), whi is very friendly and patient!
  • 5/5 from Lila Boyce, attended Apr 2026: 5 stars all the way! Booked for my husbands birthday and we both had an AWESOME time! From the superior customer service when I first made the booking to the actual day which was run very smoothly and the instructor was FANTASTIC! They also organised a little suprise for hubbys bday which was most appreciated! Will def be back. See you soon and great work!
  • 5/5 from Amina Shawkat, attended Mar 2026: We had such an amazing time! The session was super fun and educational, we were greeted with some delicious tea! Ke was patient and attentive to us throughout the session, helping us with tips and tricks to use the brushes and create our chinese character: fortune. Would definitely recommend!!!
  • 5/5 from Lee D, attended Nov 2025: The class was fantastic and our #shifu was excellent! Thank you for teaching us and chatting with us. Our calligraphy won’t be winning any prizes soon, but we would definitely recommend this class!
  • 5/5 from Karolina Kuras, attended Oct 2025: I loved the Chinese Calligraphy and Lantern Making Workshop — the teacher was patient and made learning both fun and relaxing! It was such a creative experience, and I especially enjoyed designing my own lantern — definitely a 5/5!
  • 5/5 from Hannah Mishan, attended May 2025: We had a great time practicing calligraphy and making our lanterns. Our teacher was so lovely! And it was such a relaxed atmosphere and a lovely way to pass the afternoon- would recommend to everyone
Your teacher

Vencho Art Ltd
Vencho Art Ltd

5.0 (120)
female Women-owned

Vencho Wang is an award-winning watercolour illustrator and author whose work is celebrated for its delicate textures and atmospheric storytelling. Recognized by Arts Council England as an Exceptional Talent in the visual arts, Vencho was invited to establish her creative practice in London under the prestigious Global Talent scheme.
After honing her craft at the Cambridge School of Art, Vencho discovered that her true passion lay at the intersection of creation and education. For her, sharing the nuances of watercolour is not just a profession, but a way to refine her own artistry while making this sophisticated medium accessible to all.
As an active freelance illustrator collaborating with international publishers and clients, Vencho is best known for her signature ink textures—uniquely crafted using self-sharpened chopsticks, her favourite tool for expressive line work. In her studio, she brings this same innovative and professional spirit to every student, guiding them to bridge the gap between hobbyist and artist.
London Activities
•
Craft
•
Paper Craft & Ink
•
Calligraphy & Brush Lettering
•
Kids activities Experience Gifts

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class 0 1E57MXLBSX b30fa37a8c654059964d2a78c24cea95 1 production london London London GB london