The local government of Quezon City is inviting the public to welcome the Year of the Fire Horse at the Banawe Chinatown District on 17 February as part of a grand celebration of Chinese and Filipino-Chinese heritage.

It aims to solidify the Banawe district’s reputation as a premier cultural and tourism destination in the city. The main event, scheduled from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., will span the stretch of Banawe Street from Del Monte Avenue to N.S. Amoranto Street.

Mayor Joy Belmonte stressed that the event is more than just a holiday celebration, describing it as a commitment to honoring the deep contributions of the Filipino-Chinese community to the city’s growth.

She cited that holding the celebration in Banawe showcases the area as a place where heritage and local enterprise thrive side by side.

The celebration follows a week of preliminary activities, including a culinary “Food Crawl” that launched 10 February. The curated journey highlighted local staples such as King Chef, Uniku Taiwanese Restaurant, Sincerity Fried Chicken and The Coze Café.

The initiative was a joint effort between the Quezon City Tourism Department and the Quezon City Association of Filipino-Chinese Businessmen Inc.

Tuesday’s program begins with the “Bike Ride Banawe Loop” in the morning, starting at Z Square Mall. Throughout the day, visitors can explore a gallery area featuring cultural workshops in calligraphy, origami, and Chinese painting.

A bazaar and night market will also be available, featuring over 60 merchants offering traditional cuisine, garments and charms.

In the afternoon, the street will host a Drum and Lyre Competition at 3 p.m., featuring performances from six local high schools, including Commonwealth and Batasan Hills. Local businesses will also compete for the title of “Best Decorated Establishment” with New Year-themed storefronts.