Chinese do not celebrate New year on 1 January as their traditional celebrations are held on the occasion of the Chinese New Year, or Chinese Spring Festival, falling every year between late January and mid-February. In 2023 the new year is on 22 January, though as a tradition, celebrations start on 21 January evening. The 16 days that follow the New Year day are a public holiday in China, as it’s Spring Festival. Each year is dedicated to a ritual animal following the Chinese calendar and 2023 is set to be the year of the Rabbit.
In Milan, the beating heart of the celebrations is in Via Paolo Sarpi and its neighborhood, as this area is one of the two widest Chinatowns of Italy (the other is in Prato, Tuscany).
After a preparation period, the culmination moment is at the end of festivities, when in Milan, like in China, spectators have the chance to attend a Golden Dragon Parade, the Chinese lion dance and a final masked parade. The parade usually happens on Sunday and the starting point is from the end of Via Paolo Sarpi (Piazza Gramsci) at 2 pm and celebrations usually last until 8 pm.
In the Chinese culture, the fifteenth day of the New Year is celebrated with the Lantern Festival, which marks the traditional end of the Spring Festival. The traditional Lantern Festival is held on 5 February, with the release of sky lanterns at the end of the day – in the past, it was sometimes organized by locals living in the district of Milan Chinatown.
新年快乐 / 新年快樂! (Happy New year!)
Special shopping promotions
On the occasion of the Chinese New Year, it is quite common that outlets near Milan and department stores in the city organise special initiatives, promotions and extra discounts dedicated to Chinese guests shopping in the featured stores and boutiques.
>> Check our outlet section for updates
>> Check our department stores section for updates
All events for the Chinese New Year are free of charge and are held at Milan’s Chinatown.
>> Learn more on Milan Chinatown on our article
