Taiwanese New Year serves as both a time for family reunions and a reaffirmation of cultural heritage. It highlights Taiwan’s rich blend of Han Chinese customs, indigenous influences, and modern adaptations. [6] Taiwanese New Year celebrations incorporate a mix of Han Chinese traditions and local Taiwanese practices. When is Chinese New Year in Taiwan? Since the Chinese lunar calendar is based on the cycles of the moon, the dates of Lunar New Year vary by year. Chinese New Year occurs on the new moon that appears anytime between January 21 and February 20. The 2025 date for Chinese New Year in Taiwan is Wednesday, January 29. Why does Chinese New Year fall on different dates? Each phase cycle spans approximately 29 days with the full calendar being about 354 days long. How to celebrate Lunar New Year. Chinese New Year in Taiwan is a time for family reunions, honoring ancestors, and celebrating new beginnings. The festivities typically last for 15 days, culminating in the Lantern Festival. During this period, the island comes alive with vibrant decorations, traditional music, and the tantalizing aroma of festive foods. Chinese New Year Holiday: 2026: 16 Feb to 20 Feb: Mon to Fri: Chinese New Year Holiday: 2027: 5 Feb to 10 Feb: Fri to Wed: Chinese New Year Holiday: Please scroll down to end of page for previous years' dates. The Vietnamese New Year celebration of Tet, short for Tet Nguyen Dan which means “festival of the first day”, is celebrated over three days as opposed to the traditional 15 of the Chinese New The Lunar New Year is Taiwan's most important and longest holiday. You may have also heard of it referred to as the “Chinese New Year” but the reality is that many cultures around the world celebrate it, including Taiwan. One of the many hallmarks of this 16-day celebration is the feasting involved. For Chinese people, Lunar New Year is the Spring Festival, and it’s celebrated widely in Taiwan and across Southeast Asia in countries with large Chinese populations, such as Singapore and Malaysia. Because the lunar and solar calendars don’t match up, Chinese New Year falls on a different date each year. Generally speaking, it falls in the period between late January and early February. About Chinese New Year in Taiwan. Chinese New Year is definitely the most important of all of Taiwan’s traditional holidays, and it is also the longest. TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — On Lunar New Year's Day, Taiwanese traditionally observe many folk taboos to ensure a prosperous and fortunate Year of the Snake. Based on the lunisolar calendar, Wednesday (Jan. 29) is the first day of the Lunar New Year, which is celebrated for 15 days, with many cultural customs to be observed on each day. 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 Pre-Chinese New Year Preparations and Activities (Jan. 7–Feb. 12, 2025) Jan. 7, 2025: Laba Festival. Some Chinese start to celebrate and prepare for Chinese New Year as early as day 8 of the 12 th month of the lunar calendar. Here, the holiday is very much a family-oriented time of the year, so the majority of Chinese New Year traditions tend to take place in the family home. While other communities around the world may celebrate with parades and the like, Taiwanese prefer to spend their time in the company of their family, particularly their grandparents and parents. The legal holiday is seven days long, from the Lunar New Year's Eve to the sixth day of the first lunar month. Some companies and public institutions enjoy a longer holiday up to 10 days or more, because in common knowledge among Chinese people, the festival lasts longer, from the Lunar New Year's Eve to the 15th day of the first lunar month (Lantern Festival). Chinese New Year is the most celebrated holiday in Taiwan. Learn about the most common traditions surrounding this festive time of year. WINTER SALE: Save up to $1,150 on our trips! A Little Note About Lunar New Year. In case you missed it in the title, yes, cultures that were once influenced by pre-modern China, e.g. Japan, Korea, Vietnam, China nowadays, etc. basically what you might call “East Asia” or “the Sinosphere” celebrate 2 different New Year’s -- a Western one, based on the solar calendar, and a traditional one based on the ancient Chinese lunar calendar. The Chinese New Year marks the start of the lunar new year, which occurs sometime between Jan. 21 and Feb. 20. Also known as the Spring Festival, it is considered one of China’s most important celebrations, with each year being named after one of the 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac. Chinese New Year Chinese New Year . Chinese New Year, also referred to as the lunar new year, is easily the biggest annual celebration in Taiwan and usually takes place during January or February, depending on the lunar calendar. And, the Chinese New Year, or Lunar New Year, is celebrated around the world, including in this smaller island. Jump ahead to these sections: Is the Chinese New Year the Same in Taiwan? Chinese New Year Traditions in Taiwan; This public holiday is marked by festivities, family celebrations, and special treats. People come from around the world Chinese New Years Eve: 春节: Chūnjié: Chinese New Year; Spring Festival: 春节快乐! Chūnjié kuàilè! Happy Spring Festival! 新年快乐! Xīnnián kuàilè! Happy New Year! 大吉大利! dàjídàlì! Wishing you great prosperity! 恭喜发财: gōngxǐ fācái: May you have a prosperous new year: 鼠年大吉: shǔnián dàjí
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