Valencia will once again celebrate the Lunar New Year in 2026 with a parade and a program of activities throughout the week. The Confucius Institute at the University of Valencia (ICUV) has organized another comprehensive agenda to welcome the Year of the Fire Horse.
This festival, recently recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, will celebrate the Grand Parade on February 14 throughout the day.
Photo: Confucius Institute at the University of Valencia
Although the new year officially begins in China on February 17, Valencia will bring forward its main celebrations to Saturday from 11 a.m. in the Town Hall square with lion and dragon dances, calligraphy exhibitions, and martial arts displays.
At 5:30 p.m., the 13th Chinese New Year Grand Parade will start on Calle Pelayo, then proceed along Xàtiva and Marqués de Sotelo until it reaches Valencia’s Town Hall Square. In 2025, this event attracted more than 20,000 people.
Lunar New Year 2026 Program
Photo: Confucius Institute of the University of Valencia
The cultural offerings are not limited to the parade. On Tuesday, February 10, the Palau de Les Arts Reina Sofia will host the concert “The Colors of China,” performed by the Shanghai Chinese Orchestra.
The ICUV will also organize Qigong workshops, children’s crafts, and lectures on the symbolism of the Fire Horse.
- Thursday, February 5 (6:00 p.m.): Lecture-workshop “Qigong to nourish the lungs” at the Faculty of Philology, UV.
- Monday, February 9 (5:30 p.m.): Children’s craft workshop and photo exhibition at the Faculty of Philology.
- Tuesday, February 10 (7:30 p.m.): New Year’s Concert at the Palau de Les Arts.
- Thursday, February 12 (5:30 p.m.): Tai chi workshop at the Serpis headquarters.
- Saturday, February 14:
- 11:00 a.m.: Cultural activities (tea, calligraphy, dancing) in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento.
- 5:30 p.m.: 13th Grand Parade (Route: Pelayo – Xàtiva – Marqués de Sotelo – Plaza Ayuntamiento).
- Tuesday, February 17 (6:00 p.m.): Lecture “The Fire Horse and the New Year’s Gala” in the Salón de Grados of the Faculty of Philology.
- Tuesday, March 3 (5:30 p.m.): Lantern Festival with children’s workshop at the Faculty of Philology.
Traffic disruptions in the center of Valencia
Due to the festivities, there will be restrictions on mobility and parking: the Xàtiva-Lluís Vives metro station will be closed from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and the EMT will divert 23 lines, although it is recommended to use nearby public transportation, which will operate normally.
In addition, parking will be prohibited from Friday at 10:00 p.m. on streets such as Pelayo, Vives Liern, and loading and unloading areas on Xàtiva Street and the Town Hall Square.
This celebration will take place in parallel with the Ruzafa Carnival.