Chinese New Year

Chinese culture · celebration · lunar calendar · spring

Follows the moon. Chinese New Year happens on a different date each year because it follows the lunar calendar instead of the regular calendar. The first day always lands on a new moon between January 21 and February 20.

Time for red envelopes. Families exchange red envelopes filled with money called hongbao, which symbolize good luck and blessings for the year ahead. Children especially love receiving these special gifts.

Lanterns light the way. The festival lasts from Chinese New Year's Eve all the way to the Lantern Festival on the 15th day, when beautiful lanterns are displayed and lit to celebrate the full moon.

End of winter begins. This festival marks the end of winter and the official start of spring, so it is also called the Spring Festival and represents fresh starts and new beginnings.

Family comes together. Chinese New Year is one of the most important holidays in Chinese culture, when families reunite, share special meals, and honor traditions that have been passed down for thousands of years.