Milan’s Chinatown in northern Italy is gearing up for the Spring Festival on Feb 17, as locals and tourists are prepareing to celebrate the most important holiday for the Chinese community.
According to local media, festivities for the upcoming Chinese New Year, the Year of the Horse, will reach their peak with a Dragon Parade at the Arch of Peace on March 1, complete with music, elaborate costumes, and vibrant performances
"Chinese New Year has become a celebration of Milan, it is not only for the Chinese community. The main parade has been held for 15 years, and every year more and more people take part," said Jay Lin, a staff member of the Italy-China New Generation Entrepreneurs Association, the event organizer.
Wang Yiran, a dance teacher rehearsing for the Chinese New Year parade, said she is thrilled to join the festive event.
"We feel very excited to prepare traditional dance, Chinese dance, for the Chinese New Year," said Wang.
Tourists said the atmosphere in Milan's Chinatown was already buzzing ahead of the Chinese New Year celebrations, as visitors milled about the streets.
"It's amazing, there are a lot of people from everywhere here," said a tourist.
The Italian city is currently in the international spotlight as a co-host of the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Milan's Chinatown gears up to celebrate Chinese New Year
