Water Town Wuzhen to Host 'Lucky From Horse' New Year Celebrations

Wuzhen, an ancient water town in neighboring Zhejiang Province, will host a series of celebrations titled "Lucky From Horse" from February 10 to March 3. The event blends four core elements – folk traditions, theater, technology and culture – into more than 60 activities, offering visitors a New Year experience that combines traditional charm with contemporary vitality.

A series of events and activities is designed to foster a deep fusion of traditional customs with modern technology and theatrical culture. A rotating daily schedule will feature over 10 parades and more than 20 performances.

Theater will play a key role in revitalizing the ancient town's festival atmosphere. The "Wind & Fire Carnival" will feature 31 international art troupes, all alumni of the Wuzhen Theater Festival. Over 22 days, they will turn bridges, alleys and street corners into an unbounded stage through immersive parades and scheduled performances. Highlights include the return of "Floating Diva" performing on the West Market River, the steampunk-inspired interactive fun of "Prophecy," and the popular playful "tatata."

Another spotlight of Wuzhen's New Year celebrations, the renowned "Long Street Banquet" will held at Chayi Street from February 16 to March 3 (Lantern Festival). Visitors will gather along the long tables, savoring steaming Jiangnan (regions to the south of the lower reaches of the Yangtze River) delicacies and immersive performances, soaking in the warm, reunion atmosphere of the New Year in the water town.

"The Floating New Year Market" is a cherished tradition of Wuzhen's Spring Festival. As the year draws to a close, local residents have historically gathered along the river to set up stalls for purchasing festive goods and marking the annual harvest. This winter, the town revives this time-honored custom by launching "New Year Goods Boats" along its ancient waterways, recreating the iconic floating market to the public.

From the ancient lantern festivals to today's digital "lightscapes," the application of light in Wuzhen has always sought to resonate with its cultural heritage.

For example, poetic verses will come alive via light and shadow upon whitewashed walls. Standing in the courtyard, visitors might experience a silent dialogue with a millennium of culture. Here, light is no mere decoration, instead it becomes the language through which history speaks.

If you go...

By train: Take a high-speed railway train from Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station or Shanghai South Railway Station to Jiaxing City, and then take a bus or a taxi to Wuzhen. There is a direct shuttle bus from Jiaxing Bus Center to Wuzhen.

By bus: Take a long-distance bus from Shanghai East Bus Station to Wuzhen. It takes around 2 hours.