Welcoming the Dragon
Chinese Communities | 10 Feb 2024

The Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is the grandest celebration in China, marked by seven or eight days of holiday. But the colourful and dynamic festivities usually last up to two weeks, with the crescendo coming on Lunar New Year’s Eve as family dinners bring joyous reunions.

Iconic red lanterns illuminate streets and homes, fireworks paint the skies, lavish banquets are shared, while dragon dances and parades fill the streets with energy. The exuberant celebrations extend far beyond China to destinations across the globe.

Preparations for Chinese New Year commence well in advance, with people cleaning their homes to “sweep out bad luck” – though brooms are hidden on New Year’s Day to prevent the “sweeping away of good luck”. New clothes are worn on this day and substantial supplies of food for the New Year’s Eve dinner are secured in advance, meaning shopping centres become very busy at this time of the year.

This Chinese New Year marks the arrival of the Dragon in the traditional zodiac.