Regional Variations in Chinese New Year Celebrations in China. Traditions and celebrations vary greatly across China. In the north, Chinese dumplings are the must-eat food on Chinese New Year's Eve, but south of the Yangtze River most people eat spring rolls or sticky rice cake. For more on this, read How Chinese New Year Is Celebrated in In south China, the Glutinous Rice Ball, Yuanxiao or Tangyuan in Chinese, is a traditional food for the Chinese New Year, just as the dumplings in north China. The balls are made of sticky rice flour stuffed with different fillings. Some do not have fillings. Their round shape symbolizes reunion, harmony and happiness. There are more Chinese New Year traditions and customs, such as wearing new clothes, staying up late on Chinese New Year's Eve, watching the Spring Festival Gala, etc. How Long Is Chinese New Year Celebrations? Celebrations of Chinese New Year traditionally last for 16 days, starting from Chinese New Year's Eve to the Lantern Festival. The Chinese New Year is one of China's traditional festivals with a history of over 1000 years. Throughout its evolution, it has developed many customs. Most of the traditions we see today have been passed down from the past. Read the top 15 Chinese New Year Traditional activities below: Chinese New Year traditions 1. House Cleaning Pre-Chinese New Year Celebrations (Jan. 7, 2025, to Jan. 28, 2025) Chinese New Year is the most important traditional festival in China. People usually prepare for it early before New Year’s Eve. Little New Year (January 22nd-January 23rd, 2025) - 小年夜. The Little New Year of 2025 is January 22nd in the north and January 23rd in the south. Chinese New Year red envelopes are a traditional gift for children or elderly people during Chinese New Year. In China, the red envelope (money) is called ya sui qian (压岁钱 /yaa sway chyen/), which means 'suppressing Sui [the demon]money'. Those who receive a red envelope are wished another safe and peaceful year. 6. Visiting Relatives Families often prepare and enjoy this sweet and chewy delicacy during the celebrations, believing it will lead to greater prosperity in the coming year. 15. Lantern Festival. Chinese New Year celebrations culminate with the Lantern Festival, which occurs on the 15th day of the first lunar month. Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is the most important festival for Chinese. Some people do traditional Chinese New Year celebrations, while others choose a more modern style of celebrating CNY. They light the way for a hopeful year ahead and are a staple of Chinese New Year celebrations. Traditional Foods and Their Symbolic Meanings. Food is a central part of the Chinese New Year tradition, with each dish carrying auspicious meanings. These culinary traditions reflect hopes for prosperity, longevity, and happiness: Chinese New Year is a festival that celebrates the beginning of the new year in China. The celebration usually starts around late January or early February, and lasts 15 days. Wong adds that many Chinese traditions around the new year, like cleaning or eating sweets, are all about setting the mood for the year ahead. "A lot of it feels about intent. The holiday is sometimes called the Lunar New Year because the dates of celebration follow the phases of the moon. Since the mid-1990s people in China have been given seven consecutive days off work during the Chinese New Year. The Year of the Snake starts on January 28, 2025, marking one of the most vibrant Chinese celebrations around the world.China will come alive with red lanterns, firecrackers, and joyous family gatherings, but Chinese New Year, or Spring Festival, is far more than just a colorful spectacle. Chinese New Year 2025: Celebrations, Traditions, and Everything You Need to KnowChinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is one of the most significant celebrations in Chinese culture. ** Unveil the magic of Chinese New Year! This vibrant video explores the exciting traditions and celebrations that usher in the Lunar New Year. From dec Chinese New Year marks the beginning of the new lunar year on the first day of the Chinese lunar calendar, while Lunar New Year encompasses various cultural celebrations that may occur around similar dates but differ in traditions and customs. That explains why they are favored by the Chinese during the New Year celebrations. 3. Watch the CCTV Gala. It's not a Chinese New Year party without the CCTV Gala. The CCTV New Year’s Gala, also known as the Spring Festival Gala (春晚 Chūnwǎn), is a Chinese New Year special program. It is recognized as the world’s most-watched Explore the vibrant Chinese New Year celebrations in Manila for 2025, marking the Year of the Wood Snake. Discover traditional events, cultural performances, and culinary delights in iconic locations like Binondo, Lucky Chinatown, and luxury resorts. Join the festivities with dragon dances, lion parades, and more! Symbolism: Fireworks and firecrackers are believed to ward off evil spirits and bring in the New Year with a loud and bright celebration. They symbolize joy, excitement, and the expulsion of negativity. Application: The use of fireworks and firecrackers is a traditional part of Chinese New Year celebrations. They are set off at midnight and 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.
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