Lunar New Year (Spring Festival)
The first day of the lunar calendar — the most important traditional holiday for Chinese communities worldwide. Families reunite for a lavish New Year's Eve dinner and welcome the year ahead.
Days until the next Lunar New Year (Spring Festival)
Lunar New Year (Spring Festival) — Dates by Year
Origins
Spring Festival marks the first day of the Chinese lunar calendar and traces its roots to ancient harvest ceremonies and offerings to ancestors. The word "nian" (year) was said to be a monster driven away by firecrackers, red decorations, and bright lights — the origins of many New Year customs. The holiday typically falls between late January and late February on the Gregorian calendar.
Traditional Customs
Preparations begin in the twelfth lunar month: house cleaning, pasting spring couplets, and buying new clothes. On New Year's Eve, families share a reunion dinner with auspicious dishes — fish (abundance), longevity greens (long life), and radish cake (rising fortune). From the first day, elders give red envelopes (hóng bāo) filled with money and blessings to younger family members. Sweeping on the first day is avoided so as not to sweep away good fortune.
Festive Foods
The New Year's Eve reunion dinner is the most important meal of Spring Festival. Typical Taiwanese dishes include Buddha Jumps Over the Wall (a rich stew symbolizing family wholeness), dried mullet roe (wealth), oysters (the Taiwanese word is a homophone for "good"), and radish cake (good omen). Glutinous rice balls, fa gao (prosperity sponge cake), and nian gao (sticky rice cake) are enjoyed throughout the holiday.
Taiwan Highlights
Taiwan's Spring Festival blends Southern Fujianese, Hakka, indigenous, and mainland traditions. Temple fairs, lantern displays, and racing to light the first incense stick (tóuxiāng) on New Year's morning are distinctly Taiwanese traditions. Modern celebrations also include family trips to popular tourist destinations, making night markets and scenic spots especially lively during the holiday.