When is Lunar New Year?
Lunar New Year, also commonly referred to as Chinese New Year, is an annual celebration of the new year according to the lunar calendar. In 2025, Lunar New Year falls on January 29th, and celebrations typically last for 15 days.
According to the Chinese zodiac, 2025 is the Year of the Snake. Find your zodiac sign and associated information here!
Where is Lunar New Year celebrated?
Lunar New Year is the largest holiday of the year in China and Vietnam. It is also celebrated in countries including South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Japan.
China: Ch’un Chieh (Spring Festival)
Vietnam: Tết Nguyên Đán
Taiwan: Sand-Sin
South Korea: Je-sok or Je-ya.
Japan: Shogatsu (Note: Many areas of Japan celebrate New Year's on January 1st, but certain communities continue to celebrate the Lunar New Year)
How is Lunar New Year celebrated?
Celebrations differ across cultures. Most center around family. In preparation for the new year, families spend time cleaning, preparing, and settling debts and other outstanding business from the previous year. Red paper with notes or poems for good luck, health, and success are often shared and displayed at homes. Altars may be made or cleaned during this time, often featuring oranges.
While celebrations differ, New Year’s Eve is typically marked by feasts, music, and dancing. Fireworks are common, rooted in mythology around a great monster, Nian, that was scared away by loud noises and bright lights. The importance of the color red is also linked to this mythology, as folklore suggests this color was used to scare away the beast and protect villagers.
Following these celebrations, New Year’s Day is typically celebrated with family, friends, and food. Red envelopes containing money are often given to younger family members for good fortune. New Year’s Day is commonly when parades with dragon dancers (in Chinese tradition) and lions dancers (in Taiwanese tradition) are seen.
In China, the Lantern Festival is held on the 15th day. Celebrations typically last a full two weeks. In Vietnam, celebrations last for one week following New Year’s Day.
Photo by Jason Leung on Unsplash
Sources
Jaikumar, P. (eds.). (2015). Holidays, festivals & celebrations of the world dictionary: Detailing more than 3,300 observances from all 50 states and more than 100 nations. Omnigraphics.
National Museum of Asian Art. (n.d.). Lunar new year. Smithsonian. https://asia.si.edu/whats-on/events/celebrations/lunar-new-year-celebration/