The Lunar New Year is a holiday celebrated by millions of people around the world. It’s a time filled with family gatherings, delicious food, and traditional customs that have been passed down for generations. Although it’s commonly known as the Chinese New Year, many other countries, like Vietnam, South Korea, and Malaysia, also celebrate it in their own unique ways.

The date of the Lunar New Year changes every year because it’s based on the lunar calendar, which is different from the one we use daily, the Gregorian calendar. The Lunar New Year usually falls between January 21 and February 20. This year, it is on January 29th. Each year is represented by one of the 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac, such as the dragon, tiger, or rabbit. 2025 is the year of the wood snake.

Before the New Year, people spend a lot of time cleaning their homes. This is called “sweeping away the bad luck.” Once everything is spotless, decorations like red lanterns and couplets with lucky phrases are put up to welcome good fortune. Red is a very lucky color in many Asian cultures, symbolizing happiness and success.

One of the most exciting parts of the Lunar New Year is the food. Families gather to prepare and eat special dishes that have symbolic meanings. For example, dumplings represent wealth because they look like gold, and fish symbolize abundance. In Vietnam, people eat banh chưng, a square-shaped rice cake, while in Korea, they have tteokguk, a rice cake soup that marks getting a year older.

Giving and receiving red envelopes is another fun tradition, especially for kids. These red envelopes, called “hongbao” in Chinese, contain money and are meant to bring good luck. Elders give them to younger family members, and it’s always polite to receive them with both hands and thank the giver.

Festivities like lion dances, dragon dances, and fireworks are also a big part of the celebration. The loud noises are believed to scare away evil spirits and bring happiness for the new year. Parades with colorful costumes and music fill the streets in places like Hong Kong, Singapore, and even cities in the U.S.

The Lunar New Year is not just about fun and traditions, though. It’s also a time to reflect on the past year and look forward to a fresh start. People wish each other good health, success, and happiness in the coming year. It’s a beautiful way to reconnect with loved ones and celebrate heritage and culture.

No matter where you’re from, the Lunar New Year teaches us about the importance of family, gratitude, and hope for the future. It’s a holiday that reminds us to cherish the people around us and look forward to new beginnings.

The Lunar New Year often ends with the Lantern Festival, and in Cary, North Carolina, it’s a big event. Held at the Koka Booth Amphitheatre, the Chinese Lantern Festival lights up the night with colorful, handmade lanterns shaped like animals, flowers, and more. Visitors can enjoy the beautiful displays, watch cultural performances, and try tasty foods. It’s a fun way to celebrate the holiday and bring the community together! Apex High School student Lily Sinodis went to the Lantern Festival this year, she said she loved how extravagant and beautiful all the lights were.