China is celebrating the New Year, and it’s a time for families and friends to come together in celebration. The date varies from year to year and is based on the lunar calendar. Despite its name, it is not a new year in the Western sense because it does not mark the start of a new decade. It is also not considered a major holiday like Christmas, Thanksgiving, or Easter in America.
The Chinese New Year celebrations last for 15 days and are filled with family gatherings, feasts, parades, fireworks, and gifts. Many people in China and overseas celebrate it, too; it’s also an occasion to reflect on the past and hope for a better future.
Table of Contents
What Is the Chinese New Year?
The Chinese New Year is a time for families and friends to come together to celebrate. The festival lasts for 15 days, starting on February 12th this year.
The History of Chinese New Year
The Chinese New Year has a long and rich history.
The first day of the celebration is called “Lunar New Year,” which is dedicated to families. On this day, people carry out special rituals for their deceased relatives, they clean up their homes, and it’s also a time for paying respect to elders.
The second day of the celebrations is called “Chung Yeung.” This marks the beginning of family reunions, where many people return home to pay respects to their ancestors. It also marks the start of spring festivals where people wear new clothes, give out traditional foods like red-colored sticky rice balls, lotus seed paste, oranges covered in honey or sugar, and visit temples to pray for good fortune in the coming year.
When Is Chinese New Year?
Dates of the Chinese New Year varies from year to year and is based on the lunar calendar. In the table below you can see the date for this year.
Year
Date
Animal
2022
Feb 1
Tiger
2023
Jan 22
Rabbit
2024
Feb 10
Dragon
2025
Jan 29
Snake
2026
Feb 17
Horse
2027
Feb 6
Goat
2028
Jan 26
Monkey
2029
Feb 13
Rooster
2030
Feb 3
Dog
2031
Jan 23
Pig
2032
Feb 11
Rat
How Is Chinese New Year Celebrated?
A traditional New Year greeting is “Xin Nian kuai le!” (or “Happy New Year!”). Some people like to wear red clothes and eat dumplings on the first day of the New Year. Parades and fireworks are typical ways to celebrate Chinese New Year, with some cities holding large-scale events with elaborate decorations and performances.
Why We Love Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year is a time of many traditions, and we love that. We love that this holiday is about more than just one culture or family. It’s a time for all of us worldwide to come together and celebrate what unites us: our humanity.
It’s also a time to reflect on the past and hope for a better future, which we can all relate to. The Chinese New Year is about family, friends, and remembering how lucky we are to have each other in these tough times.
We love that it’s a celebration that doesn’t end when the party does. On this day, you can eat delicious food, give gifts to loved ones, and enjoy some fireworks with your family while celebrating on social media!
Conclusion
Chinese New Year is an important celebration for many people, with children receiving red envelopes with money inside and families gathering together to share a meal. The New Year is also a time for reflection, looking back on the last year and setting intentions for the next year.