How long is chinese new year
Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is a 15-day celebration in China and other countries with significant Chinese populations. The exact dates of Chinese New Year vary each year, but it typically falls between January 21 and February 20.
The 15-day celebration is divided into several periods, each with its own unique customs and traditions. Here's a breakdown of the typical activities and events that take place during Chinese New Year:
- Preparations (1-3 days before Chinese New Year): Cleaning the house, decorating with red decorations, and preparing traditional foods like dumplings and niangao (sticky rice cake).
- Chinese New Year's Eve (January 31st or February 1st): Families gather together for a reunion dinner, often featuring traditional dishes like fish, niangao, and dumplings.
- First Day of Chinese New Year (February 1st or 2nd): Visiting family and friends, exchanging gifts, and giving red envelopes filled with money to children and seniors.
- Second to Fifth Days (February 2nd-5th): Continuing to visit family and friends, playing traditional games like mahjong and cards, and watching traditional lion and dragon dances.
- Sixth to Tenth Days (February 6th-10th): More family gatherings, watching traditional performances like acrobatics and puppet shows, and participating in cultural activities like calligraphy and painting.
- Eleventh to Fifteenth Days (February 11th-15th): The final days of Chinese New Year, often marked by more family gatherings, outdoor activities like hiking and picnics, and a gradual return to normal life.
The 15-day celebration officially ends on the 15th day, known as the Lantern Festival, which typically falls on the 15th day of the first lunar month. On this day, people gather to watch lantern displays, eat sweet rice balls called tangyuan, and enjoy traditional performances.
Keep in mind that the exact dates of Chinese New Year vary each year, as it is based on the lunar calendar.