Inside Italy’s Most Surprising Chinese New Year Events in 2026

The Lunar New Year doesn’t have a fixed date but varies according to the lunar calendar: it usually falls between January and February. The meaning, however, does not change: the end of a cycle and the beginning of a new period. For 2026, the holiday is scheduled for Tuesday, February 17. 

In this article, you will discover some curiosities about the Chinese tradition linked to the change of the year, which cities host the celebrations for the Chinese New Year's Eve in Italy, and some predictions about 2026, born in the sign of the Fire Horse, symbolizing energy, passion, courage, movement and change.

The three Italian cities with the largest Chinese communities are Milan, Rome and Prato, and it is here that the most beautiful New Year parades take place.

Chinese New Year in Prato this year will feature a large number of events, mostly taking place in the Gualchierina Square area. Among the program's activities will include theater performances, photo exhibitions, and tastings of typical Chinese New Year food. But the most anticipated moment will be the dragon and lion dance, traditional symbols that wish good luck to the whole community and drive away evil spirits.

In Rome, preparations for the Lunar New Year are in full swing. Beijing and the Eternal City have been twinned since 1998. The main celebration is held in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II in the Esquiline district. Many Chinese have settled in this area of the city, where you can find goods not only from China but from the entire Eastern market.

Milan is home to Italy's largest Chinese community, and it is here that New Year's Eve is at its most spectacular and atmospheric. In the famous Paolo Sarpi street, the heart of Milan's Chinatown, you can find restaurants, delicatessens, clothes shops, hardware shops and Chinese handicrafts open all year round.

With the Milan City Card, you can benefit from exclusive discounts at numerous attractions during your stay in the city for the Chinese New Year's Eve celebrations.

Are you ready to dive into this fantastic adventure? In this article, you'll read:

- Chinese New Year in Milan

- Chinese New Year in Rome

- Chinese New Year in Prato

- How long does the Chinese New Year last?

- Fireworks

- The Dragon Dance and the Lantern Festival

- The color red

- What to eat during New Year's Eve

- The Year of the Fire Horse: What to expect in 2026

Would you like to know what events are scheduled for the Chinese New Year's Eve in Milan? On the occasion of the approach of this fascinating appointment, full of symbolism, colours, customs, and rituals, the city offers numerous exciting ways to celebrate the Lunar New Year cheerfully.

The most acclaimed Chinese New Year 2026 event is the spectacular parade scheduled for Tuesday, February 17th at 2:00 PM in Piazza Sempione (Arch of Peace). The free event includes the traditional Lion and Dragon Dance, accompanied by singing, dancing, martial arts demonstrations, and a parade  in traditional costume.

Via Paolo Sarpi, the heart of Milan's Chinatown, will be the focal point of the celebrations, a lively setting enhanced by beautiful decorations, red lanterns, fish, dragons, and stunning lights. Don't be shy and try dinner at one of the modern and dynamic restaurants in the area featuring Oriental specialities and exquisite themed menus.

Are you in Milan for Chinese New Year? Take the opportunity to discover one of the city's most famous symbols.

In Rome, Chinese New Year 2026 will be celebrated on February 21st and 22nd at the Nicola Calipari Gardens (gardens of Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II). The event, organised by the Chinese Community in Rome, features two days packed with cultural, recreational, and gastronomic activities

Starting at 9:00 AM and running until 10:00 PM, there will be meetings, dance and martial arts performances, games, music, workshops, tastings, and insights into Chinese culture and philosophy.

The Dragon Parade and Lion Dance, the culminating moments of the celebrations, will take place on the morning of February 22nd, from 10:00 am to 12:00 am. At the close of the Lunar New Year celebrations in Rome, the Chinese Ambassador to Italy will be present to extend New Year's greetings to the community and all participants.

If you're in Rome for this wonderful occasion, get the Visit Rome Pass to make your travels and visits easier.

As usual, Chinese New Year in Prato promises to be one of the most highly attended events by the Chinese community in Italy. February is filled with can't-miss events. The celebrations will go on for several days, with countless opportunities to explore China's millennia-old culture.

Festivities kick off on Monday, February 16 at the PuHua Buddhist Temple, where the Year of the Fire Horse will be welcomed at the stroke of midnight in Beijing (5.00 pm Italian time).

The dragon and lion dance will fill the city with resounding colours on Sunday, February 22nd.

Prato's Chinese New Year is the beating heart of all Italian celebrations, featuring a longer series of events than other cities, from February 16 to 22, 2026. In addition to the parade, the main attraction, various activities are planned, including exhibitions, workshops, guided tours, and culinary events, dedicated to both adults and children.

Chinese New Year coincides with the second full moon after the winter solstice, occurring on the fifteenth day of the lunar cycle. The festivities last for 15 days, featuring a variety of traditional events and rituals, and conclude with the beautiful Lantern Festival, which is celebrated on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, this year.

During the two weeks of festivities, Chinese communities across Italy welcome the new year with a rich array of activities, from dragon and lion parades to fireworks, as well as performances, culinary events, and moments of prayer.

Here are some key elements of Chinese tradition to look out for if you plan to celebrate this colourful occasion in Italy.

China is the birthplace of gunpowder, so it's not surprising that fireworks are such an important part of the New Year celebrations.

Fireworks are set off during the festivities at the stroke of midnight to symbolise the end of the old year and the beginning of the new.

Along with the fireworks, bells are rung everywhere as a sign of good fortune for the coming year. Italy and China share this fascinating passion: it will be a sensational spectacle!

Both spectacular traditions have become symbols of Chinese New Year around the world. During the Dragon Dance and the less famous but equally evocative Lion Dance, huge crowds of people dance and sing through the streets of cities, carrying paper representations of these powerful animals in procession.

During the Lantern Festival, which marks the end of Chinese New Year, the streets are filled with colour: you can see flying and standing lanterns of all shapes and sizes everywhere. The mini hot air balloons are left on display all day and night and the spectacle is truly picturesque!

Wondering what to wear for the Lunar New Year celebrations? Whatever you like, as long as it’s red!

Chinese tradition features countless rituals to welcome the new era in the best way possible, and one of the most important involves this passionate colour, a symbol of luck and prosperity.

Clothing, underwear, gift decorations, street ornaments, and door hangings—all turn a brilliant shade of red. Of course, the iconic lanterns, too, come all in red to light up the sky and create an enchanting, unforgettable setting.

What better occasion than the Lunar New Year to stop by a traditional restaurant and explore the endless flavours of one of the world’s most delicious cuisines! Here are some tips on what to eat during Chinese New Year in Italy to stay true to tradition.

The Chinese pay meticulous attention to food preparation: each dish carries its own special meaning and must be served according to specific rituals.

Fish, for instance, symbolises abundance and is believed to bring luck for a prosperous year. To attract good fortune, however, it should be eaten last. Spring rolls signify prosperity, sticky rice cake indicates growth, rice noodles represent happiness and longevity, and sweet rice balls suggest family harmony. Dumplings embody wealth; for this reason, some chefs hide a small copper coin inside one during the New Year’s Eve feast—whoever finds it is destined to become rich!

The system of the Chinese zodiac revolves around a cycle of 12 years, with each year associated with a symbolic animal. Additionally, the five elements – Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water – define each cycle imparting distinctive characteristics.

On February 17, 2026, the Year of the Fire Horse begins, a symbol of energy, passion, courage, movement and change.

2026, therefore, promises to be a pivotal year, filled with vibrant new energy. According to the Eastern horoscope, the horse is an animal that loves open spaces and freedom, and when this incredible animal marries the element of fire, the result is surprising.

In Chinese astrology, the birth year holds significant importance, as the associated zodiac animal represents a clear spiritual and psychological imprint. Those born in a Year of the Fire Horse are considered courageous in starting new projects, people with contagious optimism and a brilliant intelligence, loyal, charming and where the sense of freedom and independence stands out.

Also, experiencing the year of your zodiac sign is seen as a challenge, a time of tests essential for personal growth. However, everyone can adopt certain practices to ward off bad luck, such as wearing red clothing,  jade gemstones, or crystal jewellery.