Lunar New Year is one of the most important festivals celebrated across Asia and in many Asian diaspora communities around the world. In 2025, it marks the Year of the Snake according to the Chinese zodiac. This festival is a time of joy, renewal, and tradition, bringing together families for grand celebrations filled with food, fireworks, and cultural performances.
From China to Korea, Vietnam, and beyond, each culture adds its own unique touch to the festivities. Let’s take a closer look at how different countries and communities celebrate this significant occasion.
What Is Lunar New Year and When Is It Celebrated?
Lunar New Year follows the lunar calendar, meaning its date changes slightly each year. The festival begins with the first new moon and lasts 15 days, ending with the first full moon. In 2025, the celebrations will start on January 29.
While the festival is most widely observed in China—where it is known as the Spring Festival—other Asian countries celebrate it under different names:
- Tet in Vietnam
- Seollal in Korea
The celebrations include traditional rituals, family gatherings, and cultural performances.
The Significance of the Year of the Snake
The Chinese zodiac follows a 12-year cycle, with each year represented by an animal. The Year of the Snake is associated with intelligence, wisdom, and transformation.
Symbolism of the Snake in Chinese Culture
- Snakes are seen as both mysterious and powerful.
- In mythology, they are called “little dragons”, representing good luck and rebirth.
- They symbolize love, happiness, and longevity, alongside the turtle and crane.
To make the snake more appealing to young celebrants, merchants in China are producing soft toys and lanterns with cute, smiling snakes rather than fearsome ones.
How Lunar New Year Is Celebrated Across the World
China and Taiwan
- Fireworks and dragon dances are performed to scare away evil spirits.
- Many people visit temples, such as the White Snake Temple in Taiwan, to seek blessings.
Vietnam (Tet Festival)
- Families clean their homes to remove bad luck and welcome good fortune.
- Banh chung and banh tet, made from glutinous rice, are traditional dishes.
Korea (Seollal Festival)
- Families hold ancestor worship ceremonies called “charye”.
- Tteokguk, a rice cake soup, is eaten as part of the celebrations.
Indonesia
- Festivities include dragon puppet performances and drum displays.
Asian American Communities in the U.S.
- Cities with large Asian populations, such as New York, San Francisco, and Los Angeles, host parades, carnivals, and cultural performances.
- Schools in some districts, including New York City, observe the holiday by closing for the day.
Other Cultures Celebrating Lunar New Year
- Some Indigenous communities, such as Mexico’s Purepecha group, also mark the occasion.
- Asian American Christians and Catholic dioceses across the U.S. recognize Lunar New Year as a cultural celebration.
Traditional Lunar New Year Foods
Each culture has special dishes that symbolize prosperity, longevity, and happiness:
- China: Dumplings, spring rolls, tangerines, whole fish, and long-life noodles (changshou mian)
- Vietnam: Banh chung and banh tet (glutinous rice cakes with pork and mung beans)
- Korea: Tteokguk (rice cake soup)
- Hong Kong: Snake soup, which is believed to bring health and vitality
The Legend of Nian and the Tradition of Red
One of the most famous Lunar New Year legends is the story of Nian, a terrifying monster that attacked villages every New Year’s Day. According to folklore:
- Nian feared loud noises, fire, and the color red.
- To protect themselves, villagers lit firecrackers, hung red decorations, and burned lanterns—a tradition that continues today.
Even now, people decorate their homes with red paper lanterns, wear red clothing, and gift red envelopes (hongbao or ang bao) filled with money to bring luck and prosperity.
Welcoming Prosperity and Good Fortune
Lunar New Year is more than just a festival—it’s a time for family reunions, honoring ancestors, and embracing new beginnings. From vibrant parades to symbolic traditions, it continues to be one of the most cherished celebrations worldwide.
As we step into the Year of the Snake, people across the globe will welcome luck, happiness, and success with open arms. Whether through delicious meals, cultural performances, or age-old customs, the essence of Lunar New Year remains the same—celebrating life, family, and new opportunities.
