The Chinese New Year Parade is making a grand comeback along the Champs-Élysées in Paris, on Sunday, February 1, 2026, to mark the beginning of the Year of the Horse. This year’s edition promises an extraordinary lineup with no fewer than 600 performers from France and China—double the number of last year. Demonstrating a spirit of universality, this spectacular parade extends beyond the traditional Chinatown in the 13th arrondissement to take over one of the world’s most iconic avenues, the 8th arrondissement.
This free event bridges the gap between East and West, blending tradition with modernity, and welcoming both Chinese communities and the broader Parisian public. Symbolizing energy, perseverance, elegance, and dynamism, the horse perfectly captures the spirit of this celebration, which promises to be spectacular. Nearly 200,000 people are expected to attend this event, shining a spotlight on Chinese culture right in the heart of the capital.
The standout innovation this year is two robots that will welcome the public at the start of the parade. Developed by Unitree Robotics, a Chinese pioneer in quadruped and humanoid robotics, and INNOV8 Power, a French leader in smart energy and robotic solutions, these machines perfectly symbolize Franco-Chinese technological collaboration. The robots will walk alongside guests and engage with spectators before the procession begins, representing a harmonious blend of innovation and tradition. Together, these teams are creating an ecosystem of embodied artificial intelligence and robotics—sustainable, autonomous, and advanced—highlighting the strength of France-China cooperation in cutting-edge technology.
The procession will set off at 2:00 PM from the corner of Avenue George V and will head along the Champs-Élysées up to the Arc de Triomphe. From there, participants will continue along Avenue Foch, Avenue d'Iéna, Avenue Victor Hugo, Rue Lauriston, Avenue Kléber, Rue Vernet, and Avenue Marceau. This special route offers spectators multiple vantage points to enjoy the parade from some of Paris's most iconic thoroughfares in the 8th arrondissement. The event will feature a 15-minute stop in front of the Arc de Triomphe, giving everyone a chance to capture this unforgettable moment.
The lion dance will be performed by 15 lions from the LWS Pak Mei team, established in 2011 by Benjamin Colussi. Every move is the result of meticulous practice, blending elegance with strength. The highlight of the show will be the "Sacred Mountain," a structure made of 16 benches spread across three tables, towering two meters above the ground. Accompanied by two five-meter poles, three lions will leap onto these structures to showcase their agility, confront danger, and invoke prosperity—delivering a stunning, high-energy performance.
On the dragon front, nine enormous dragons will wind their way along the Champs-Élysées, brought to life by skilled performers from ACDECF and Altervip. These legendary creatures, symbols of luck and prosperity in Chinese tradition, will glide through the street with flowing, sinuous movements set to traditional drumming. Expert dancers will manipulate these giant puppets with poles, embodying the vibrant spirit of the Chinese people.
The organization Les Temps du Corps will showcase an exceptional demonstration of martial arts and traditional Chinese Tai Chi with 50 to 60 practitioners led by Master Ke Wen. The lineup includes Tai Chi Chuan, Tai Chi dance, Tai Chi fan, Qigong, as well as Qi Wu and Fuchen. Founded in 1992 and renowned in both France and China, this school of thought and practice has been dedicated to preserving the centuries-old Chinese culture, emphasizing harmony between the body and mind. The richness of Chinese Wushu and the depth of Tai Chi will take center stage through several iconic disciplines.
The Guizhou troupe, consisting of 50 members from the Guizhou Business Association in France, will parade in traditional costumes representing the Miao, Dong, and Shui minorities, while performing to the tune of "Awaiting You in Guizhou." The front row will showcase elaborately decorated traditional attire from Guizhou's ethnic groups, while the subsequent rows will feature uniform Miao costumes for traditional dance. These vibrant, ornate outfits celebrate the rich cultural diversity of China's provinces and exemplify the harmony of movement, breath, and ancestral traditions.
The parade will conclude on a celebratory note with the participation of the Fujian Putian Association in France, whose 50 members dressed in traditional attire and waving fans will lead the way, followed by the France-China Cultural Exchange Development Association, represented by 40 members. This finale highlights the strong bonds between France and China, emphasizing the significance of cultural exchange between the two countries.
The parade is organized in partnership by:
With support from:
The event is proudly supported by the Chinese Embassy in France, the City of Paris, and the Municipality of the 8th District.
In short, the 2026 Chinese New Year Parade along the Champs-Élysées promises a truly unique experience where centuries-old tradition meets cutting-edge technology to celebrate the Year of the Horse. Open to everyone and free of charge, this spectacular event is expected to draw around 200,000 spectators for a vibrant celebration that shines a spotlight on Chinese culture right in the heart of Paris. It’s an occasion that bridges East and West, blending ancient customs with modern innovation, and is well worth a visit. Join us this Sunday, February 1, 2026, starting at 2 p.m. at the corner of Avenue George V, in front of Fouquet’s, to witness this grand spectacle as it extends beyond the Chinatown district and reaches out to the universal.
©️Loïc Lagarde
Dates and Opening Time
On February 1, 2026
From 02:00 p.m. to 03:30 p.m.
Location
Avenue des Champs-Elysées
Av. des Champs-Élysées
75008 Paris 8
Access
Metro: Champs-Élysées-Clémenceau (lines 1 and 13) Franklin D. Roosevelt (lines 1 and 9) George V (line 1) Charles de Gaulle-Étoile (lines 1, 2 and 6)
Prices
Free
Recommended age
For all
