Chinese New Year
February 1
Millions of people celebrate Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year, at the start of February. It is one of the biggest events of the year for many East and South East Asian people and it will be marked by communities all over the world.
People will eat lots of food, enjoy hang red lanterns to mark the occasion.
This year the celebration begins on February 1. The reason the New Year falls at this time is because it marks the start of the Lunar New Year, which is when there is the start of a new moon.
This is different to the 'Gregorian' calendar which always starts on January 1.
The date of Lunar New Year actually changes each year because it depends on the Moon, but it will always fall sometime between January 21 and February 20.
This year the festival starts on February 1 and marks the change from the Year of the Ox to the
Year of the Tiger.
Chinese New Year is also known as the Spring Festival or the Lunar New Year.
It is the most important celebration in the Chinese calendar.
People in lots of other Asian countries also celebrate the lunar festival.
In Chinese tradition, each year is named after one of 12 animals, which feature in the Chinese zodiac: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig.
So the animals will have a year dedicated to them once every 12 years, in a cycle.
How is it celebrated?
Millions of people in China normally travel across the country in the lead up to the New Year as they go to spend time with family.
Usually before the festivities begin, people clean their homes really well to make them ready for the celebrations.
Then, when New Year’s Day comes, there is a tradition not to pick up a broom, in case you sweep the good luck for the New Year out of the door!
In China, schools and businesses Year, so that everyone can spend time with their families.
People enjoy eating lots of delicious food, including noodle soup, which traditionally brings luck for the year ahead. There are typically parades and performances, with people dressed in traditional clothes.
Fireworks are also set off, because it is thought that noise and lights will scare away any evil spirits for the coming months.
Adults might give red envelopes to children with money inside too.
The festivities continue for two weeks or up to special lantern festival, which signals the end of the New Year celebration period.