China lunar new year extended
You're referring to the Chinese Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival!
Yes, the Chinese Lunar New Year is a significant holiday in China and is typically celebrated for 15 days, with the first day of the new year being the most important. The holiday period is usually extended to include weekends and public holidays, which can vary from year to year.
Here's a breakdown of the typical Chinese Lunar New Year holiday schedule:
- New Year's Eve (January 31st or February 1st): Families gather together for a reunion dinner, exchange gifts, and watch traditional lion and dragon dances.
- First day of the Lunar New Year (February 1st or 2nd): People visit temples, give red envelopes filled with money to children and seniors, and enjoy traditional foods like dumplings and niangao (sticky rice cake).
- Second day of the Lunar New Year (February 2nd or 3rd): Many businesses and schools remain closed, and people continue to visit family and friends, exchange gifts, and enjoy traditional activities like playing mahjong or watching traditional performances.
- Third day of the Lunar New Year (February 3rd or 4th): Some businesses and schools may reopen, but many people still take time off to relax and enjoy the holiday.
- Fifth day of the Lunar New Year (February 5th or 6th): The Lantern Festival marks the final day of the Lunar New Year celebrations. People release lanterns, watch traditional performances, and enjoy sweet rice balls called tangyuan.
The Chinese government typically announces the official holiday schedule in December or January, which can vary depending on the lunar calendar. In recent years, the Lunar New Year holiday has been extended to include more days off, making it a longer and more relaxed celebration.
In 2023, the Chinese Lunar New Year falls on January 22nd, and the extended holiday period is from January 21st to February 6th.