New Year's Day

New Year's Day in China, also known as the Spring Festival or Chinese New Year, is the most important traditional holiday in Chinese culture. It marks the beginning of the lunar new year and is celebrated with great enthusiasm and various customs. The date varies each year, falling between January 21 and February 20, depending on the lunar calendar. The celebrations typically last for 15 days, starting on New Year's Eve and culminating in the Lantern Festival. Key traditions include family reunions, feasting on special foods like dumplings and fish, giving red envelopes (hongbao) containing money for good luck, and setting off fireworks to ward off evil spirits. Homes are thoroughly cleaned to sweep away bad fortune, and decorations such as red lanterns and couplets are put up to attract good luck and prosperity. Each year is associated with one of the 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac, and the festivities often include cultural performances, dragon and lion dances, and temple fairs. New Year's Day in China is a time for honoring ancestors, strengthening family bonds, and welcoming a fresh start with hope and joy.