Harare to Host First-Ever City-Wide Chinese New Year Carnival

Harare is set to make history as it hosts its first-ever city-wide Chinese New Year Carnival on February 7 and 8 at Sam Levy’s Village in Borrowdale. The event promises a vibrant cultural exchange that blends entertainment, commerce, and community engagement. Bright Mangomeli of the China Zimbabwe Exchange Centre (CZEC) described the carnival as a memorable and inclusive experience designed to attract families, creatives, entrepreneurs, and culture enthusiasts from all walks of life.

The carnival celebrates the Year of the Fire Horse and is free to attend, encouraging wide participation across the city. Visitors can expect interactive games, themed food courts, curated market stalls, live stage shows, and colourful parade moments that highlight cooperation, creativity, and mutual prosperity. A mix of Chinese and Zimbabwean business exhibitors will transform the venue into a lively cultural marketplace, offering both local and international flavours and products.

Organised jointly by CZEC, Jacaranda Culture Media Corporation, and the Zimbabwe Chinese Business Association, the carnival reflects a growing commitment to cultural diplomacy and business collaboration between the two nations. Mangomeli highlighted the event’s goal of creating platforms where communities and businesses can engage directly, reinforcing the people-to-people connections underpinning the China-Zimbabwe relationship. The carnival also aligns with Zimbabwe’s expanding creative and business landscape, making it a timely cultural initiative.

Entertainment will be a major highlight, with theatrical dragon dances, music, and cross-cultural performances anchoring the programme. The DreamStar Troupe, featuring celebrated alumni from previous competitions, will perform alongside household names including Fusion 5 Mangwiro, Nyasha David, Yambutso, and Tsoro Arts. Chinese creatives will also feature, reinforcing the carnival’s intercultural spirit and offering audiences an immersive global experience.

The Year of the Fire Horse, officially ushered in on February 17, 2026, represents a rare 60-year cycle in the Chinese zodiac. It symbolizes energy, ambition, and transformation, values that mirror Zimbabwe’s dynamic creative and business sectors. Mangomeli noted that the carnival was designed to respond to the growing footprint of China-Zimbabwe co-operation, which saw over 1,500 Chinese companies established in Zimbabwe by 2025. The event offers an accessible platform for cultural and business engagement beyond traditional corporate settings.

Mangomeli encouraged the public to attend in large numbers, highlighting that the event meets global standards while remaining rooted in local culture. “We are inviting partners, families, and friends to support this first-of-its-kind city-wide celebration. It is a platform for both enjoyment and meaningful cultural exchange,” he said. Globally, Chinese New Year 2026 will be celebrated with parades, lantern festivals, and cultural showcases in cities including Beijing, Hong Kong, London, Rome, Bangkok, Los Angeles, and Johannesburg.

By joining the global Chinese New Year calendar, Harare’s carnival stands as a symbol of shared heritage, intercultural exchange, and strengthened people-to-people connections championed under the Belt and Road Initiative. The event is expected to leave a lasting impact on the city’s cultural calendar while offering visitors a rich mix of entertainment, tradition, and community interaction. Harare residents and visitors can look forward to a historic and unforgettable celebration of the Year of the Fire Horse.