Thousands celebrate ‘Spring Festival’ in UAE

With the “Year of the Fire Horse” 13 days away, China is looking at building up further its “very strong relations” with the UAE by way of cultural understanding.

That cultural understanding which would not only go deeper still with the Emiratis; but also with the rest of the other expatriate residents across the seven emirates.

Chinese Consul General in Dubai and the Northern Emirates Ou Boquian mentioned this on Wednesday, from the China-UAE Centre for Cultural and Trade Exchange (China Pavilion) at the Dubai Expo City.

Occasion was the announcement of activities – relative to the Feb. 17 to Mar. 3 global celebration of the “Spring Festival 2026” – the consular mission and the People’s Republic of China Embassy in Abu Dhabi, organised with the 250,000-strong Chinese Community, across the country, primarily represented by the China Cultural Centre-UAE, Chinese General Chamber of Commerce-UAE, China Media Group Middle East.

Under the “Warm Spring, Happy New Year” banner, these are all under the guidance of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and supported by the Department of Economy and Tourism, Dubai Police, and Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE).

According to DFRE Assistant Vice President Mohammed Feras Arayqat, shopping malls and hotels are participating.

Ou gave a rundown of the celebrations which, she said, began on the weekend of Jan. 24 and 25 at the Dubai Creek, through the fourth edition of the “Hong Kong Dragon Boat Challenge.”

The seven emirates were amply represented by way of 1,500 enthusiasts, forming 62 teams.

It was the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Dubai that handled the competitions.

Moreover, the consular mission had cultural exchanges and collaborations with the American University of Sharjah, Fujairah University and the American University of Ras Al Khaimah last week.

Now, as the Chinese Community in the UAE, which, according to Ou would balloon between 350,000 and 700,000 at any given time, including the transients – one demonstration of the “very strong bilateral trade relations” between China and the host government – shall be at a “Spring Festival Gala Night” on Feb. 5 (Thursday), the “Big Day” shall take place on Feb. 8 (Sunday) at the Dubai Expo City.

The public is invited to take part in the Grand Parade starting at 3pm to be followed by a paid concert at the Dome.

Indeed, horses shall be part of the parade, wherein among the players would be the Dubai Police, said Ou, in answer to a Gulf Today question especially so that 2026 is the “Year of the Fire Horse” as these mammals are also special to the Emiratis.

With “over 10 floats,” 40 marching formations and 3,000 performers, the 45-minute parade would end at the China Pavilion where special depictions of the Song Dynasty (960-1279) Wedding Ceremony and the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) Tea Ceremony shall be staged.

Samples of the latest in Chinese technology would also be featured alongside authentic foodstuffs, products and souvenirs, particularly from Xijian Autonomous Region.

Said Ou: “Xijian is an extremely beautiful place, closest to the UAE. Yes, it also where we have the horses.”

Located on the northwestern part of China, Xinjiang, nicknamed as “Land of Heavenly Horses,” is 2,773 kilometres (km) away from Beijing with a travel time of 28 hours. It is 4,000 km away from Abu Dhabi and a flying time of 10 hours minimum.

Connecting the relevance of a solid people-to-people relations between nations by way of cultural connections, Ou said that these shall help make citizens understand the “core policies” governments want to promote in the spirit of fraternity and brotherhood.

Ou described it as well by mentioning the Biao Jziao tradition Chinese families partake of in welcoming each Spring Festival: “It is not that important for whatever the family is going to eat. But that is the reason we call it a ceremony. Family members sit down and work together to make the dumplings. From the process, I think we could understand why we need to work together.”

In a press statement, Expo City Dubai Authority Executive Director Najeeb Mohammed said: “The Grand Parade reflects the strength of our long-standing friendship with the Chinese people and our deepening cooperation across culture, trade, energy, education and beyond.”