Chinese New Year lasts for 16 days and its date is set by the lunar calendar, hence why it falls on a different day every year. In 2021 Chinese New Year is on February 12, while it fell on January 25 in 2020. It marks the start of a new zodiac year. Legend has it that 12 animals raced to the heavenly gate. Temple-goers throw red envelopes into a flame to burn for good fortune at Jade Buddha Temple on Lunar New Year’s Day in Shanghai on Jan. 29, 2025. Photo by Go Nakamura/ Reuters 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? 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. 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 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 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. How is Chinese New Year celebrated? Spring Festival is a time for families to come together, exchange money-filled red envelopes (红包, hóngbāo), and enjoy delicious Chinese food. The Chinese New Year is a 15-day holiday and includes a variety of festivities depending on the region and its local traditions and customs. Chinese New Year is the festival that celebrates the beginning of a new year on the traditional Chinese lunisolar calendar. Chinese New Year 2025 will fall on Wednesday, January 29th. The date changes every year but is always somewhere in the period from January 21st to February 20th. People born in the Years of the Snake including 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, and 2025 will experience their Zodiac Year of Birth (Ben Ming Nian). 2026 Chinese New Year falls on Feb. 17th and it is the Year of Horse. Inside the tradition of Chinese New Year in modern day China. February 1, 2014 / 11:52 AM EST / CBS News The lunar New Year is underway around the world with millions of people celebrating . The best part is — Chinese New Year is a public holiday! Meaning, the kids won’t have to worry about school and will have the whole day to experience the festivities to kick off the Lunar New Year. More about Chinese New Year 2025? What Families Can Expect In The Year of The Wood Snake 2025 Chinese Zodiac 2025: Year of the Wood Snake for 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. The second day of the Chinese New Year is referred to as ‘Kai Nien’, which translates to ‘year beginning’, and you would traditionally begin Kai Nien with a very early breakfast with your family; the whole event of Chinese New Year is very much a family affair! The origin of the Chinese New Year Festival can be traced back to about 3,500 years ago. Chinese New Year has evolved over a long period of time and its customs have undergone a long development process. A Legend of the Origin of Chinese New Year. Like all traditional festivals in China, Chinese New Year is steeped with stories and myths. Introduction Chinese New Year 2025 promises to be a special celebration, marking the Year of the Snake in the Chinese zodiac. As one of the most important cultural events in China, the Spring Festival of 2025 offers international visitors a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in rich traditions and lively celebrations. Legendary Beginnings in the Shang Dynasty. The earliest origins of Chinese New Year likely date to the Shang Dynasty (1600-1046 BC). This was a time when the Chinese civilization was transitioning from a nomadic to an agrarian lifestyle. Advancements in technology mean regardless of where you are, you can still take part in some of the Chinese New Year traditions, albeit with a modern twist! Here are some of the ways people celebrate a more modern New Year: Food At Your Fingertips. Food is a central part of the Chinese New Year celebrations.
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