The history of the celebration of the Chinese New Year is over 4000 years and it happens at the same time as the beginning of the cultivation period. During this period, people say goodbye to the winter and welcome a hotter season by celebrating the Spring Festival.

In China, the beginning of a new year is a synonymous of a new cycle in the Chinese zodiac. In 2022, the Chinese New Year officially starts on February 1st and ends on January 21st, 2023. The animal assigned to 2022 is the Water Tiger, and it replaces the Metal Ox from the previous year.

The New Year is a time for people to share happiness with loved ones and friends. The festivities are also marked by parades, celebrations, shows, fireworks and parties that are free for all ages and tastes. The celebration doesn’t happen only the weekend but also the days that follow.

During this period, it is common for people to decorate their homes with red decorations such as Chinese paper art. The main color is red because, in Chinese culture, red means happiness and celebration.

Another event within the Chinese New Year is the Golden Week. It begins on the eve of the lunar new year (in it 2022 lasts from January 31st to February 6th). On this national holiday in China, many people travel long distances to their homeland and to be close to their family. This movement of people (the largest human movement in the world) is known as "Chunyun".

The extent of the lunisolar calendar, unlike the Gregorian, is based on the cycles of the moon. Because of that, the date of the Chinese New Year always changes each year. This period, however, always takes place between January 21st and February 21st. For this reason, the duration of Chinese New Year celebrations is not fixed in the Gregorian calendar. In the year 2022 (Year of the Tiger), Chinese New Year will be celebrated in China on New Year's Eve (January 31st) until the 6th day of the first lunar month (February 6th).

In 2022, the festivities can last until the eve of the Lantern Festival, which takes place on February 15th. If we consider the traditions of the country and the family, the celebrations last about 15 days. Want to know more about the Lantern Festival? In the next few days we will tell you more about this other great Chinese festival!