Fast Facts
- Lunar New Year is celebrated in many Asian countries, each with unique ways of honoring the holiday.
- The paper lantern is an iconic symbol of hope, celebration, and good fortune in many Asian cultures.
- 2025 is the Year of the Snake.
- Foods play an important role in the celebrations: long noodles for longevity, citrus for luck, fish for abundance, and pineapple for good fortune to name just a few!
The Lunar New Year is celebrated throughout the Asian diaspora to mark the end of winter and the start of spring. The traditional Chinese Lunar New Year (Spring Festival) is a 15 day celebration that begins on the first new moon of the year and ends with a Lantern Festival on the first full moon. Many countries follow the lunar zodiac calendar of 12 animals. 2025 is the year of the Snake. Different countries celebrate in different ways, but there are some common themes. Families are gathered and favorite traditional foods are prepared. Houses are swept clean to welcome the new year. Special clothes are worn, and firecrackers are lit to scare away bad spirits. Red envelopes are given with crisp, new money for good luck.
Here are some great resources and activities to check out for more information:
Wishing you happiness and prosperity in the new year!
