Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year is one of the most important holidays in China. It is also called the Spring Festival. Families come together to eat, play, and have fun. The holiday lasts for about 15 days. People wear red clothes and give each other red envelopes with money inside. The streets are filled with music, dragons, and bright lights.

When It Happens

Chinese New Year does not fall on the same day each year. It starts on the first new moon between January 21 and February 20. Each year has its own animal from the Chinese zodiac. There are 12 animals in all, like the rat, tiger, dragon, and rabbit. People born in that year are said to share the animal's traits.

How People Celebrate

Families clean their homes before the new year to sweep away bad luck. They hang red paper signs on doors and set off firecrackers. A big family dinner is held on New Year's Eve. People eat dumplings, fish, and sweet rice cakes. Kids get red envelopes called hongbao. The holiday ends with the Lantern Festival, where people light up colorful lanterns.

Fun Facts

• The dragon dance can use a dragon that is over 100 feet long.
• More than one billion people celebrate Chinese New Year around the world.
• The color red is used because people believe it scares away a monster called Nian.

Did You Know?

Chinese New Year causes the largest yearly human movement on Earth, as millions of people travel home to be with their families.