Chinese New Year

The Chinese New Year, called chunjie that is spring festival, is the occasion that marks the beginning of the new year and is calculated having as refernce the first day of the first month of the lunar calendar (new moon). The beginning of spring represents a moment of change and purification, the removal of negative “waste” accumulated during the year. This concept is linked to the respect for the cycle of nature and in Taoism the symbolic color of celebration, red, represents joy and happiness.

In Prato on Tuesday, January 28, at 5 p.m., the ringing of the bell at the Pu Hua Si Buddhist temple will kick off New Year 2025, aligning perfectly with Beijing's midnight. 

According to the Chinese lunar calendar, we are entering the year of the Snake, which symbolizes wisdom, cunning and intuition.

The traditional and awaited Dragon parades and the Lion dance are scheduled on February, Saturday 8 and Sunday 9:

• February 8, from 9 a.m.
  Dragon Parade and Lion Dance
  Industrial zone Macrolotto 1 and 2
• February 9, from 9 a.m.
  Dragon Parade and Lion Dance
  Central zone of Macrolotto Zero and historical center

This year's festivities are particularly rich and include, in addition to parades, Buddhist temple tours, street food tours, tea ceremony, movies in original language, concerts, city guided tours, workshops for children and much more. Some events require reservations and some events require a ticket.

Further information and program are available on the websites of
Municipality of Prato
Prato Turismo