If January is looking a little dull and gloomy after the recent festivities, then embracing the upcoming celebrations of Chinese New Year may be just the remedy needed.
Below, we share all you need to know about celebrating Chinese New Year in 2023, including how you could celebrate Chinese New Year on a cruise.
When is Chinese New Year 2023?
This year, Chinese New Year is on Sunday 22nd January. Unlike the Western New Year, the date of Chinese New Year varies as it is based on the Chinese Lunar Calendar and the moon and sun cycles. A new moon day signifies Chinese New Year’s Day.
China’s public holidays last seven days, starting from Chinese New Year’s Eve, while traditional Chinese New Year celebrations can last up to 16 days. Other countries that officially recognise Chinese New Year with public holidays include Malaysia, Singapore, Korea and Vietnam, as well as the administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macao.
The Year of the Rabbit
When celebrating Chinese New Year, each year is associated with one of twelve animals: the Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig.
2023 is the year of the Rabbit, following 2022’s year of the Tiger. The contrast in these animals’ attributes means that this year is expected to be much quieter, calmer and more balanced.
The best way to celebrate Chinese New Year
There are many traditions surrounding Chinese New Year. Preparations begin as early as the 30th December or day 8 of the 12th lunar month, and the celebrations last until the Chinese Lantern Festival on day 15, the 5th February.
Before Chinese New Year’s Day
In the days leading up to Chinese New Year’s Day, people pray to the gods for good fortune, clean their houses, put up decorations and prepare for special reunion dinners.
On Chinese New Year’s Eve, the reunion dinner is a key event for most Chinese people. With family members often spread far and wide, this is an opportunity for them all to come together, often with several generations enjoying a special meal together. The dinner will usually comprise a whole chicken (symbolising togetherness) and a whole fish (representing prosperity).
It is also customary for children to receive red envelopes after the reunion dinner on Chinese New Year’s Eve. Red is the colour for good luck, and the envelopes contain money, which is therefore referred to as lucky money.
Chinese people also like to stay up late on Chinese New Year’s Eve. For most, this is until just after midnight, when fireworks are set off, but some stay up the entire night to keep watch over the year ending.
On Chinese New Year’s Day
Celebrating Chinese New Year’s Day starts at midnight when an abundance of fireworks and firecrackers are let off across China and beyond. The louder, the better, as it is believed that these will bring good fortune in the year to come and scare away evil spirits. Fireworks and firecrackers continue to feature in the coming days in the hope of creating more good luck for the family.
Colourful lion and dragon dances are also a prominent feature of Chinese New Year celebrations and can now be seen in many places outside of China. In Chinese tradition, these animals represent wisdom, power and superiority. The dances are thought to bring good fortune and prosperity and scare away evil spirits, but they also make for a spectacular show on this special day.
Visiting family and friends to bring gifts, red envelopes and wish them well for the coming year is also an integral part of traditional Chinese New Year celebrations. However, if seeing relatives in person is not possible, people send New Year’s cards or messages.
The end of Chinese New Year celebrations
One of the most iconic celebrations of Chinese New Year is the Chinese Lantern Festival. This event occurs at the end of the Chinese New Year period on the fifteenth day.
Marking the first full moon of the new lunar year, many people light beautiful and elegantly decorated lanterns in their houses, parks and streets. These lanterns symbolise letting go of the previous year and welcoming the new one.
Many dazzling lantern fairs are held throughout parks and public areas in China on this day, and these are some of the best places to celebrate this Chinese New Year tradition. One of the most famous is the Qinhuai International Lantern Festival in Nanjing.
The best places to celebrate Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year has become one of the most widely celebrated holidays in the world, with fantastic festivities in New York, London, Sydney and Los Angeles. However, some of the best places to celebrate Chinese New Year are in Asia.
Head to Shanghai for the annual Yuyuan Garden Lantern Festival, where traditional colourful festive lanterns light up the evening skies while more modern art installations wow the millions of spectators who attend.
Singapore has one of the largest Chinese New Year celebrations in the region. Expect lion dances, epic firecracker displays and colourful street parades.
Hong Kong is also one of the best places to celebrate Chinese New Year, with the highlight being its International Chinese New Year Night Parade. This spectacular event includes multicoloured floats, acrobats, traditional Chinese dancers and marching bands and culminates in a magnificent firework display.
NB: Due to current coronavirus concerns in China and surrounding regions, please check local websites for the most up-to-date information on these events.
Celebrate Chinese New Year on a cruise
Travel can get extremely busy in Asia during Chinese New Year with many people going to see family and friends. A great solution for avoiding the hustle and bustle is to enjoy the ease and luxury of a cruise holiday for your Chinese New Year celebrations.
Cruise lines such as Celebrity Cruises, Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean Cruises offer cruise holidays around China and East Asia during the Chinese New Year period, exploring stunning destinations at ports including Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and Hong Kong.
