Chinese new year 2025 events

Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is the most important and widely celebrated traditional holiday in Chinese culture. In 2025, Chinese New Year begins on Saturday, January 29, marking the transition into the Year of the Wood Snake. This festive period is a time for families to reunite, honor traditions, and welcome good fortune for the year ahead. Across the globe, communities celebrate with a variety of vibrant events, from parades and performances to temple visits and family feasts. Here’s a closer look at the key events and celebrations that will mark Chinese New Year 2025.

1. Reunion Dinners and Family Gatherings

Chinese New Year officially begins with a focus on family. The reunion dinner, held on New Year’s Eve (January 28, 2025), is the most important meal of the year. Families gather to enjoy an elaborate feast that symbolizes unity and prosperity. Dishes such as dumplings, spring rolls, fish (for abundance), and rice cakes (for success) are staples on the dinner table.

In 2025, many families may take advantage of technology to connect virtually, especially for those separated by distance. However, for most, this is a time to return home and physically reunite with loved ones. The dinner often concludes with the giving of red envelopes (hongbao) filled with money, symbolizing blessings and good fortune for the younger generation.

2. Dragon and Lion Dances

No Chinese New Year celebration is complete without the exhilarating sight of dragon and lion dances. These performances are a staple at festivals and parades, believed to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits.

In 2025, you can expect grand displays of dragon and lion dances in cities with large Chinese communities, such as Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur. International cities like New York, London, Sydney, and San Francisco will also host spectacular performances. The dances are often accompanied by traditional music featuring cymbals, drums, and gongs, creating a lively and festive atmosphere.

3. Chinese New Year Parades

Parades are a highlight of Chinese New Year festivities, combining culture, tradition, and modern creativity. These events typically feature colorful floats, traditional costumes, martial arts demonstrations, and music.

For 2025, iconic parades like the Hong Kong Chinese New Year Night Parade are expected to attract thousands of spectators. In the United States, the San Francisco Chinese New Year Parade, one of the largest outside of Asia, will feature dazzling lights, performers, and the famous Golden Dragon float. London’s Chinatown and Melbourne’s Federation Square are also popular parade spots.

The parades not only celebrate Chinese heritage but also showcase the diversity of the communities that participate, with a mix of traditional and contemporary elements.

4. Fireworks and Firecrackers

Fireworks play a central role in Chinese New Year celebrations, symbolizing the driving away of evil spirits and the welcoming of prosperity. At midnight on New Year’s Eve, firecrackers are set off to mark the start of the new year. Major cities will host fireworks displays that light up the night sky in dazzling colors.

In 2025, cities like Beijing, Hong Kong, and Taipei will likely hold massive fireworks events. Internationally, cities like Sydney and Singapore often incorporate Chinese New Year themes into their renowned displays. However, some places may have restrictions on firecrackers for safety or environmental reasons, encouraging people to enjoy large-scale public displays instead.

5. Temple Visits and Cultural Rituals

Visiting temples during Chinese New Year is a long-standing tradition. Families pray to deities and ancestors, seeking blessings for health, wealth, and happiness in the coming year. Temples are often adorned with lanterns, red banners, and auspicious decorations.

In 2025, temples such as the Wong Tai Sin Temple in Hong Kong, the Temple of Heaven in Beijing, and the Thian Hock Keng Temple in Singapore will welcome thousands of visitors. People will light incense, make offerings, and participate in rituals to ensure a prosperous start to the year.

Some temples may also host cultural events, including storytelling, music, and dance performances, making them vibrant hubs of activity during the New Year period.

6. Lantern Festivals

While Chinese New Year officially lasts 15 days, the celebrations culminate with the Lantern Festival on February 12, 2025. This enchanting event features the lighting and display of lanterns in various shapes, sizes, and designs.

Cities across China, such as Shanghai and Xi’an, will host large-scale lantern exhibitions in parks and public spaces. Lantern riddles, traditional games, and performances add to the festive spirit. The Lantern Festival is also a time for enjoying tangyuan (sweet glutinous rice balls), a dessert symbolizing unity and togetherness.

7. International Celebrations

Chinese New Year is celebrated far beyond China’s borders, with events taking place in Chinatowns and cultural hubs worldwide. In 2025, look out for:

• New York City: The annual Lunar New Year Festival in Chinatown, featuring street performances, food stalls, and cultural workshops.
• London: Trafalgar Square will host Chinese New Year festivities, including lion dances, live music, and martial arts displays.
• Sydney: The city’s iconic Lunar New Year Festival includes art installations, markets, and a dragon boat race in Darling Harbour.
• San Francisco: The Chinese New Year Parade, dating back to the 1860s, is one of the largest and most vibrant in the world.

These global celebrations not only honor Chinese culture but also invite people from diverse backgrounds to participate in the joy and traditions of the festival.

8. Festive Markets and Food Stalls

Festive markets are a hallmark of Chinese New Year, offering everything from decorations and traditional clothing to seasonal foods and snacks. In 2025, markets in cities like Guangzhou, Hong Kong, and Singapore will be bustling with activity. Shoppers will stock up on lucky charms, red lanterns, and fresh produce to prepare for the festivities.

Street food stalls will offer traditional delicacies like nian gao (rice cakes), sesame balls, and dumplings, ensuring that visitors can savor the flavors of the season.