Chinese New Year Activities – Day by Day Schedule

As a kid, celebrating Chinese New Year was so easy, because I was always just told what to do and all I had to do was 聽媽媽的話 (ting mama de hua – Jay Chou reference. iykyk).

Welp, now I’m the adult and I want to finally understand the meaning behind each day of the preparation leading up to Chinese New Year, as well as get to know the Chinese New Year Activities during the 15 days of celebration.

There is a lot going on, and as a Chinese American, I am not going to enforce each day and all activities on my family. However, it’s still nice to understand the meaning behind each day and I truly appreciate the Chinese culture.

I love that everything has a reason for being. It makes me think about my ancestors and how important this cultural celebration must have been to them, before modern age, technology, and distance from the motherland shifted our priorities from culture and traditions to more superficial and self-centered priorities.

Hopefully, by trying to follow traditions where possible and enveloping my kids in as many Chinese New Year activities as possible, the next generation will understand the importance of keeping these traditions alive.

Key Dates of Chinese New Year Activities

Chinese New Year Preparations

As the Chinese New Year approaches, the air fills with anticipation and the scent of tradition, starting with the Laba Festival, typically celebrated on the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month. This ancient festival, marking the beginning of Chinese New Year preparations, involves making and sharing Laba porridge, a hearty mix of grains and legumes, symbolizing a prayer for harvest and prosperity.

The journey towards the New Year continues with the worship of the Kitchen God, a revered deity believed to report the household’s affairs to the Jade Emperor. Families offer sweet treats to the Kitchen God, hoping to sweeten his words and secure a year of good fortune.

As the New Year draws closer, homes are swept clean in a ritual cleansing that sweeps away ill-fortune and makes way for incoming luck—a practice steeped in the belief that cleanliness invites the auspices of good health and prosperity.

The shopping that follows is a flurry of activity, with markets bustling as families stock up on decorations, gifts, and ingredients for the feast to come. Red lanterns, couplets, and paper cuttings adorn homes, symbolizing happiness, wealth, and longevity.

Chinese New Year’s Eve

The climax of these preparations is the reunion dinner on Chinese New Year’s Eve, a gastronomic gathering that is the heart of the celebration. Tables overflow with dishes rich in symbolism—fish for abundance, dumplings for wealth, and sweet rice balls for family togetherness. This meal is more than just a feast; it’s a testament to the enduring bonds of family and the shared hope for a year filled with blessings.

Chinese New Year Celebrations

Following the meticulous preparations, the Chinese New Year celebrations start in earnest with the arrival of New Year’s Day, marked by the crackling of fireworks and the warmth of family greetings, symbolizing a joyous welcome to the gods of wealth and prosperity.

The second day, known as “In-Law’s Day,” is when married women visit their birth parents, reflecting the deep-rooted values of family unity and respect. The Day of the Sheep on the fourth day brings a quieter, more reflective time, with many choosing to stay home, honoring the peace-loving nature of the sheep and allowing for a day of rest amidst the bustling festivities.

The seventh day, known as the Day of Mankind, celebrates the creation of humans and is often marked by the consumption of seven-vegetable soup, each ingredient a harbinger of good luck and health.

The festivities reach a celestial peak on the ninth day with the birthday of the Jade Emperor, the supreme deity of Taoism. This night is filled with incense, offerings, and prayers, as families seek divine blessings and protection.

As the celebrations progress, anticipation builds for the Lantern Festival, which marks the final day of the New Year festivities. Preparations begin with crafting lanterns and planning for the night’s parade, a spectacle of light and color. Communities come alive with dragon dances, riddle contests, and the eating of tangyuan, sweet rice balls symbolizing family togetherness and the full circle of life.

The Lantern Festival not only illuminates the night sky, but also the hearts of those participating, encapsulating the essence of hope, renewal, and the enduring spirit of community that defines the Chinese New Year celebrations. From the first day’s fresh beginnings to the Lantern Festival’s luminous conclusion, each day is a chapter in a story of tradition, family, and the relentless pursuit of happiness and prosperity.

Wrapping it Up

There you have it! Chinese New Year is a vibrant testament to the enduring strength of tradition, family bonds, and the universal aspiration for prosperity and happiness.

In today’s fast-paced, technology-driven world, many of the Chinese New Year practices, deeply entwined with the ancient traditions and agricultural roots of China, have transformed into symbolic gestures.

Nonetheless, as we engage in the myriad of festivities that define this vibrant celebration, it’s a powerful reflection on the enduring legacy of our ancestors, who meticulously aligned their lives with the cycles of the moon and the earth.

These festivities are vibrant threads in the fabric of Chinese culture. As we revel in the nearly month-long preparation and celebration of Chinese New Year, let us take pride in this rich cultural legacy, cherishing the meaningful and symbolic connections to our past, and carrying forward the spirit of unity, prosperity, and hope into the future.

Which Chinese New Year activities do you and your family participate in? How do you make this holiday your own? Let us know in the comments!