When is Chinese New Year?

29 – 30 January 2025

Read: Guide to Public Holidays in 2025

What is Chinese New Year about?

Also referred to as Lunar New Year or the Spring Festival, Chinese New Year (CNY) is a joyous annual affair where families visit one another in their best red attires and exchange Mandarin oranges with wishes of prosperity.

This cultural tradition is symbolised by one of twelve zodiac animals. 2025 is the Year of the Snake, and the snake – the sixth animal in the Chinese zodiac – represents charm, elegance, wisdom and transformation.

What practices can be observed?

Wearing red

Red is a lucky colour that represents strength and prosperity in Chinese culture. During CNY, people buy new clothes and wear red during family visits. Black clothing is avoided because it’s associated with death and misfortune.

Mandarin orange exchanges

An age-old tradition, Mandarin oranges are exchanged between family, friends and colleagues as a mark of good fortune, prosperity, and abundance during CNY.

Giving hangbaos

Hangbaos or red envelopes containing money are presented as tokens of good wishes during auspicious events like CNY and weddings. The red packets are typically given to kids and unmarried cousins, nephews and nieces.

Yu Sheng

Yu Sheng is a Singaporean/Malaysian-style raw fish salad. Also known as the Prosperity Toss, it is believed to bestow good luck and fortune to those who toss its ingredients high in the air before consumption.

Lion dance

A mesmerising art form, the lion dance is a traditional Chinese dance that’s commonly seen during CNY. Performers don vibrant lion costumes and mimic the movements of lions, with some even performing gymnastic feats. The lion dance is believed to bring good luck.

Where to witness Chinese New Year in Singapore?

CNY is celebrated in homes, schools and workplaces. For a visual spectacle, however, head down to Chinatown which comes to life with festive lights and decorations that are themed around that year’s Chinese zodiac animal.

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