Argentina is set to host spectacular celebrations for the Chinese New Year, spanning almost the entire month of February. A period of intense energy will begin from January 25 and continue through February 1-2, marking the start of festivities in the Chinatown neighborhood of Buenos Aires. These celebrations, lasting nearly the entire second month of the year, reflect the growing interest among Argentines in Chinese culture and its ancient traditions.
The official program, supported by the Buenos Aires City Government, the Chinese Embassy in Argentina, and the Chinese community of Buenos Aires, kicks off on Saturday, February 7, from 15:00 to 21:00 in Chinatown with traditional parades and street dances, similar to those popular in American cities like New York and San Francisco. The following day, celebrations will move to Plaza Parques Nacionales. The event will feature performances by the renowned Zhejiang Provincial Artistic Group, making its first appearance in the country, alongside the iconic Dragon dance to bring good fortune, Chinese Lion dances, martial arts exhibitions, calligraphy displays, Tai Chi, Qigong, and performances on traditional instruments. A special ethnic fashion parade with exclusive attire brought from China will also be held.
On Sunday, February 15, the Puerto Madero district in southern Buenos Aires will host dragon boat races organized by the Argentine Dragon Boat Association (AABD), which emphasized that the cultural importance of these races lies not only in athletic competition but also in the great enjoyment they bring.
In La Plata, Plaza Moreno will be the stage for the "Year of the Fire Horse" welcome on February 21-22, with free entry. The festivities will feature Dragon and Lion dances, food, craft, and cultural stalls, traditional clothing parades, tango performances, martial arts exhibitions, and traditional Chinese dances. The event, recognized as the largest Chinese celebration on the continent, will offer two days of activities for all ages, including over 50 main stage performances and around 200 food and craft stalls. Visitors can participate in ancient calligraphy workshops, martial arts activities, the traditional "Clavado de Pupilas" ceremony with dragons and lions, fashion parades, and workshops to learn about Chinese culture, such as using chopsticks or paper-cutting.
The Argentine Wushu Club, with over 18 years of history, will participate. Its founder and director, Chen Min, stated, "We will again participate in the mega Chinese New Year celebration in Argentina, in the year of the horse, a symbol of strength, constancy, energy, and progress."
The traditional Chinese New Year Route, in its eighth edition in 2026, will include events not only in Buenos Aires but also in Salta and Jujuy, aiming for a federal agenda. This route, declared of cultural interest by the Buenos Aires Legislature in 2022, serves as a "bridge between the cultures of Argentina and China, bringing Chinese traditions to local society." It will feature celebrations in Chinatown and the illumination of iconic Buenos Aires monuments in Chinese colors, red and gold. Events will also be held at the National Museum of Oriental Art.
The city of Córdoba will repeat the successful and massive celebration it hosted for the first time last year, while San Miguel de Tucumán in the northwest will hold the celebration for the first time this year.
