Introduction
Chinese New Year is a very important holiday for the Chinese community in Madrid. Every year, the city is filled with color and joy to celebrate this ancient tradition. In this article, we will tell you everything about the 2024 Chinese New Year celebrations in Madrid, including the festivities, the parade in Usera and the complete program of activities.
The Year of the Dragon
Chinese New Year 2024 marks the beginning of the Year of the Dragon, a symbol of good luck and prosperity in Chinese culture. Madrid is preparing to welcome this new era with a program full of free activities for all citizens. From February 2 to February 29, you can enjoy a wide variety of events that will immerse you in Chinese culture.
The Festival of Light
On Saturday, February 10, Pradolongo Park will host the traditional Festival of Light to officially begin the Year of the Dragon. This event will feature a grand fireworks show designed especially for the occasion, as well as musical entertainment by DJ Yang. It will be a night full of magic and color that you cannot miss.
Inauguration of the festivities
The day before the start of the Chinese New Year, the inauguration of the festivities will take place. This event will be attended by authorities from the Madrid City Council, from the area of Culture, Tourism and Sports, the ambassador of the People’s Republic of China in Spain and the president councilor of Usera, as well as prominent members of the main Chinese associations in the district. During the inauguration, a ritual will be carried out in which those present will paint the eyes of colorful lions, which will later parade to the stage. This ritual aims to attract luck in the new year.
The Grand Parade
One of the main attractions of the Chinese New Year in Madrid is the Grand Parade, which will take place on Sunday, February 11 in the streets of Usera. This parade will feature the participation of more than a thousand artists who will parade through the neighborhood, accompanied by live music, dances and traditional costumes. The three giant dragons will be the undisputed protagonists of this parade, which will fill the streets with color and joy.
Parade route
The parade route will begin at 12:00 on Marcelo Usera Street, corner with Manuel Muñoz Street, and will continue to Rafaela Ybarra Avenue at its confluence with Elisa Ochoa Street. The parade will last approximately three hours, during which you can enjoy the music, dances and the colorful traditional costumes of the Chinese neighbors.
Complete program of activities
In addition to the Grand Parade, Madrid City Council has prepared a complete program of activities to celebrate the Chinese New Year. Throughout the month of February, you can enjoy exhibitions, concerts, cinema, gastronomy and much more. Below, we present some of the featured activities:
Descendants of the Dragon Exhibition
From February 2 to 29, you can visit the Descendants of the Dragon exhibition at the Usera Cultural Center. This exhibition will allow you to learn more about Chinese culture and its influence in Madrid.
Children’s theater: The people of Taohua against the monster
On Saturday, February 3, you can enjoy a children’s theater performance at the Usera Municipal Board. The work is titled ‘The people of Taohua against the monster’ and promises to entertain the little ones with a story full of adventures and teachings.
Family Musical: Nian’s Story
Also on Saturday, February 3, you can enjoy a family musical at the Usera Municipal Board. ‘The Story of Nian’ is a show full of music and dance that will transport you to ancient China.
Digital Dragons Exhibition
From February 9 to 29, you can visit the Digital Dragons exhibition at the Usera Municipal Board. This exhibition will show you the fusion between tradition and technology through impressive interactive installations.
Chinese New Year Festival
On Saturday, February 10, you can’t miss the big Chinese New Year party in Pradolongo Park. Throughout the afternoon, you can enjoy live music, traditional dances, martial arts exhibitions and much more. In addition, there will be food stalls where you can taste typical Chinese cuisine dishes.
temple fair
On Saturday, February 24 and Sunday, February 25, the Plaza de España will host the Temple Fair, where you can enjoy cultural activities, gastronomy, crafts and much more. It will be a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in Chinese culture and experience the traditions of the Chinese New Year up close.
Conclusion
Chinese New Year 2024 in Madrid promises to be a celebration full of joy and color. From the festivities to the Grand Parade, through exhibitions and concerts, there will be activities for all tastes. Don’t miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in Chinese culture and enjoy a unique experience in the city of Madrid.
