Lunar new year 2025 activities

The Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year or the Spring Festival, is a time of joy, renewal, and celebration. It marks the beginning of a new year in the lunar calendar, and in 2025, the festivities start on January 29, ushering in the Year of the Snake. This vibrant holiday is celebrated across the world, with communities embracing cultural traditions, reunions, and exciting activities. Whether you’re celebrating with family, friends, or your community, here’s a guide to the best activities to make the Lunar New Year 2025 unforgettable.

1. Spring Cleaning and Home Decorating

Before the New Year arrives, a thorough cleaning of the home is one of the most important traditions. This practice symbolizes sweeping away the old year’s bad luck and making space for good fortune.

Once the home is clean, decorate it with auspicious items:

• Red Lanterns: Hang them at doorways and windows to symbolize prosperity and ward off evil spirits.
• Couplets and Fu Characters: These red and gold paper decorations contain blessings and wishes for a prosperous year ahead. Hang them upside down for “luck arriving.”
• Snake Motifs: Incorporate snake-themed decorations, as 2025 is the Year of the Snake, symbolizing wisdom and transformation.

2. Hosting a Reunion Dinner

The reunion dinner is the highlight of Lunar New Year’s Eve. Families gather to enjoy a feast and bond over traditional dishes that symbolize good fortune.
Popular dishes for the feast include:

• Dumplings (Jiaozi): Shaped like gold ingots, they represent wealth.
• Fish: Always served whole, fish represents abundance.
• Longevity Noodles: Long noodles symbolize a long and healthy life.
• Spring Rolls: Resembling gold bars, symbolize wealth and prosperity.

Pair your meal with some festive drinks and desserts, like sweet glutinous rice cakes (Nian Gao) or candied fruits, to complete the evening.

3. Watching a Lion Dance or Dragon Dance

No Lunar New Year celebration is complete without the lively lion dance or dragon dance performances. These traditional dances are believed to bring good fortune, drive away evil spirits, and create a festive atmosphere.

The performers wear elaborate costumes and move rhythmically to the beat of drums, cymbals, and gongs. If you’re attending a community event or festival, don’t miss these mesmerizing performances—they’re as symbolic as they are entertaining.

4. Fireworks and Firecrackers

The loud crackling of fireworks and firecrackers is a hallmark of Lunar New Year festivities. These explosions are thought to scare away Nian, a mythical beast in Chinese folklore, and bring luck for the year ahead.

While many cities host spectacular public fireworks displays, you can also participate by lighting sparklers or small firecrackers (where legal) with friends and family. Be sure to wear red or festive clothing for extra good luck!

5. Giving and Receiving Red Envelopes

One of the most exciting traditions, especially for children, is the exchange of red envelopes (Hóngbāo). These envelopes are filled with money and symbolize blessings of wealth and good fortune for the recipient.

When giving red envelopes:

• Use new bills for an auspicious start to the year.
• Avoid odd amounts of money, as even numbers are considered lucky.
• Include blessings or good wishes alongside the envelope.

For a modern twist, many people now send digital red envelopes via mobile payment apps, combining tradition with technology.

6. Wearing New Clothes

Lunar New Year is an occasion for wearing new clothes to symbolize a fresh start. Red and gold are the most popular colors, representing good luck and prosperity.

For 2025, you can:

• Choose outfits featuring snake patterns or zodiac-inspired designs.
• Dress in traditional attire like qipaos or cheongsams for formal family gatherings.
• Accessorize with gold jewelry or festive pins for an extra celebratory touch.

7. Attending Temple Ceremonies

Visiting a temple during the Lunar New Year is a meaningful way to start the year with blessings and prayers. People often:

• Burn incense sticks to honor ancestors and deities.
• Make offerings of fruits, flowers, and money to temples.
• Draw fortune sticks (Kau Cim) to receive guidance for the year ahead.

Some temples may also host special ceremonies or cultural activities, making it a peaceful yet vibrant experience.

8. Exploring Local Festivals and Parades

Many cities around the world host Lunar New Year festivals and parades. These events feature a mix of traditional and modern performances, food stalls, and cultural exhibitions.

Highlights may include:

• Martial arts demonstrations.
• Chinese opera performances.
• Food markets offer traditional delicacies like baozi, tangyuan, and boba tea.
• Craft booths where you can learn to make paper lanterns or calligraphy.

9. Family Game Nights

After a day of celebrations, gather the family for game night. Playing games during Lunar New Year brings laughter and togetherness while symbolizing luck and prosperity. Popular games include:

• Mahjong: A classic tile-based game that’s both strategic and social.
• Card games: Simple games like Go Fish or Poker with a festive twist.
• Board games: Family-friendly games for all ages.

10. Acts of Charity and Kindness

The Lunar New Year is a time to spread kindness and generosity. Many people choose to:

• Donate to charities or help those in need.
• Organize food drives or community events.
• Perform random acts of kindness to share blessings and good fortune with others.