Celebrating Chinese New Year can feel like a marathon. The holiday involves at least a week of preparation prior to New Year’s Day, followed by two weeks of feasts, family visits and merrymaking. Each step of the way is an opportunity to create family memories, teach elements of Chinese culture and have fun. It takes place on Chinese New Year's Eve (January 28th in 2025). The Significance of the Reunion Dinner. If one were to choose only one day of the two-week-long Chinese New Year festival to go home to visit family, this would be it. This year, the Chinese New Year will be celebrated on January 29, 2025 and the festival is all about family, reunion, and starting the new year on the right note. Chinese New Year's Eve (Jan. 28, 2025): 6 Traditions and Activities - 除夕. As the last day of the lunar year, Chinese New Year's Eve (除夕 chú xī) is the day before Chinese New Year. It is a grand reunion time for the whole Chinese family. The day after Chinese New Year is often spent with maternal grandparents and family. In the following days, people visit other friends and family, wishing seasonal greetings and good luck wishes, as well as visiting temples, offering ancestral sacrifices, and joining in town celebrations. Chinese New Year, the grandest festival for Chinese people, is celebrated for more than half a month.According to the oldest traditions, people follow a day-by-day schedule of Chinese New Year festivities from the 23rd day of the 12th lunar month, with specific things to do on certain days. 12 th month, 30 th day 除夕 (Chúxì) New Year's Eve (除夕 Chúxì) The most important celebration, includes the family reunion dinner, and staying up until midnight. Jan. 29th: 1 st month, 1 st day 初一 (Chūyī) New Year's Day 初一 (Chūyī) A day for visiting/greeting family and relatives, giving presents, and visiting ancestors During Chinese New Year, people have a long list of things to do. From one week preceding the festival to the 15th day after, many Chinese New Year customs are widely observed for thousands of years. The family reunion dinner, eating dumplings, and setting off firework are the must-dos that you might know. What else interesting do the Chinese do? Lunar New Year marks the beginning of a new year on China's traditional lunisolar calendar. It is a time for family gatherings. It is the most important festival in China (where it is known as Chinese New Year or Spring Festival), and it is also widely celebrated in South Korea (where it is known as Seollal), in Vietnam (as Tet), as well as Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, and other countries Visiting extended family and friends during the week of Chinese New Year and exchanging gifts is a Chinese New year tradition that goes on throughout the 15-day holiday. This process of visiting family and friends is called bài nián (拜年), in which you wish everyone a happy and healthy new year. Chinese New Year superstitions are traditional beliefs and practices observed during the Lunar New Year to bring good luck and ward off misfortune. These customs range from avoiding certain actions to performing specific rituals, all aimed at ensuring a prosperous year ahead. 20 Chinese New Year Superstitions 1. Avoid Cleaning on New Year’s Day Chinese New Year or Lunar New Year or Spring Festival 2025 falls on Wednesday, January 29th, 2025. Snake is the new year animal. Learn more about Chinese Lunar New Year traditions, taboos, food, zodiac signs, and greetings. Lunar New Year’s Day: Family visits and red packets. The first few days of the Lunar New Year, especially the first two days, are often a test of one’s stamina, appetite and social skills, as many people have to travel and visit immediate family, other relatives and friends. Chinese New Year in 2025 falls on January 29 and ends with the Lantern Festival on Feb. 12. Celebrations last up to 16 days; the Chinese public holiday lasts from Wednesday to Feb. 4. What is the Chinese New Year doesn’t fall on the same day every year, because it follows the lunar calendar. According to this calendar, the new year begins on the new moon between January 21 st and February 20 th , so the exact date of the Spring Festival changes every year. The Chinese New Year, also known as the Lunar New Year as it occurs on the first new moon of the lunar calendar , celebrates renewal, family, and cultural traditions. From the vibrant red decorations to the symbolic foods, the holiday is a time for reflection and connection. Happy Chinese New Year 2025 Wishes. May the Year of the Snake bring harmony, love, and boundless joy to our family. May we continue to grow together with happiness and strength. Lunar New Year is a 15-day holiday welcoming spring and celebrating the new year on the lunar calendar. This year, it begins on Wednesday, Jan. 29. In the Chinese zodiac, 2025 is the Year of the China will come alive with red lanterns, firecrackers, and joyous family gatherings, but Chinese New Year, or Spring Festival, is far more [] Chinese New Year Food Guide 2025: Tradition Meets Innovation. Welcome to the Year of the Snake! In 2025, Chinese New Year isn’t just about dazzling fireworks and red envelopes. Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is the most important holiday in Chinese culture. It’s a time for family reunions, vibrant celebrations, and of course, indulging in a feast of traditional dishes that symbolize prosperity, good fortune, and happiness for the coming year.
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