Harare is about to trade its usual weekend rhythm for drums, color, lanterns, and street-style celebration as the 2026 Chinese New Year Carnival takes over Sam Levy’s Village on 7 and 8 February. And the best part? Entry is completely free.
From 9am to 5pm, the back parking area near FreshCo will transform into a buzzing festival ground, filled with live performances, food, parades, interactive games, and generous giveaways. For two days, one of Harare’s favorite lifestyle hubs will feel less like a shopping stop and more like a walking celebration.
Spanning roughly 15,000 square meters, the carnival is designed as a moving experience rather than a sit-and-watch event. Visitors can wander through themed market stalls, cultural exhibitions, brand showcases, and food zones, with something new unfolding around every corner. The idea is simple: explore, taste, dance, and discover.
Expect a lively mix of Zimbabwean and Chinese performers on stage throughout the day, complemented by roaming acts, cultural parades, and hands-on activities. Families, young people, and first-time visitors are firmly in focus, with interactive trails that reward participation with stamps, gifts, and entries into lucky draws. It is the kind of event where curiosity is encouraged and everyone leaves with a story.
The carnival is organized by the China Zimbabwe Exchange Center, the Zimbabwe Chinese Chamber of Commerce, and the Jacaranda Culture and Media Corporation, with support from the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Zimbabwe. Organizers say this year’s expanded scale reflects growing public interest and a desire to open up the celebration to the wider city.
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Xuezhi Du, deputy director of the Zimbabwe China Exchange Center, says the carnival is about meeting people where they are.
“Instead of celebrating behind closed doors, the carnival brings Chinese culture into a shared public space and invites local communities to participate directly,” he said. “Through food, performances, and everyday interaction, people connect naturally. That is how understanding grows.”
Beyond the color and entertainment, the event also creates space for practical connection. Businesses can engage directly with thousands of visitors, artists gain new audiences, and entrepreneurs meet potential partners in an informal, welcoming setting.
Exhibition booths are available for businesses at USD 500 for the two days, with each 3m by 3m stand fully serviced with tenting, furniture, electricity, water access, and waste management. For many brands, it is a rare chance to combine visibility with atmosphere.
At heart, the 2026 Harare Chinese New Year Carnival promises something simple and valuable: a weekend where culture is shared openly, strangers become neighbors, and celebration does the talking. Bring your family, bring your curiosity, and come ready to wander.
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