Many Asian countries celebrate the New Year at this time, including Vietnam and South Korea. Lunar New Year, often called the Spring Festival or Chinese New Year, is the most important holiday in China and many other Asian communities. This is a 15-day festival that begins on the western calendar with a new moon from January 29th to February 27th. The festival continues until the next full moon. The holiday began as a time to feast and pay homage not only to the ancestors, but also to the household and heavenly gods.
How long is the Lunar New Year festival?
The 2025 Chinese New Year will be held on January 29th and end with the Lantern Festival on February 12th. Celebrations last up to 16 days. The Chinese public holiday starts Wednesday and lasts until February 4th.
What is the Chinese Zodiac?
The Chinese Zodiac, or Sheng Xiao, is a 12-year cycle of animal signs and their attributes, based on the lunar calendar.
The new year of the month marks the transition from one animal to another. The Year of the Dragon, which began on February 10, 2024, ends on Tuesday. Wednesday begins the Year of the Snake. The year of the snake last came in 2013.
before lunar new year
In preparation for the Lunar New Year, the house is thoroughly cleaned to drive away bad luck from the past year. It’s also a good idea to pay off your debts ahead of time before the new year in order to close the book at the end of the year and start a new year.
Some additional traditions preparing for the new year in the month include placing spring festival couplets on doors and windows and buying new clothes.
New Year’s Eve
On the morning of New Year’s Eve, people sweep the graves of their ancestors and return home. When they hung up the Spring Festival couplets and red lanterns, it was time for the big family reunion dinner. This banquet is considered the most important dinner of the year. Extended families of several generations come together to enjoy delicious and lucky food.
In China, the foods served at these dinners vary from north to south. Northern Chinese cuisine tends to have dumplings and noodles. The diet of southern China relies heavily on rice cakes. Traditionally, people hand out red envelopes with money and light fireworks after dinner.
chinese new year traditions
lantern festival
The last day of the new year is known as the Festival of Lanterns and marks the end of the Chinese New Year celebrations. All kinds of lanterns are lit on the streets, and poems and riddles are often written for entertainment.
Diane Chan’s contribution
Source USA Today Network Reports and Investigations. ChineseNewyear.net, history.com