How Long Is Chinese New Year Celebrated? A Day-by-Day Guide

Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is the most important holiday in China. But unlike the single-day celebrations familiar to many Western travelers, this festival unfolds over a period of more than two weeks. For international visitors planning a trip to China, understanding the timeline is essential — both for catching the best festivities and for avoiding travel disruptions during the world’s largest annual human migration.

So, how long is Chinese New Year actually celebrated? The short answer is 15 days, with the main celebration running from New Year’s Eve to the Lantern Festival on the 15th day of the first lunar month. However, the broader holiday period — including travel, preparation, and regional variations — often stretches much longer. Here is a day-by-day guide to help you navigate the festival like a local.

The Big Picture: More Than Just One Day

Before diving into the daily breakdown, it helps to understand the lunar calendar basis. Chinese New Year falls on the second new moon after the winter solstice, which means the date shifts each year — typically landing between January 21 and February 20 on the Gregorian calendar.

In practical terms, the full celebration involves:

• Pre-festival preparation: about a week to 10 days of cleaning, decorating, and shopping
• The main festival: 15 days of celebration, beginning with New Year’s Eve
• Public holidays: typically 7 to 8 official days off work in mainland China, though many businesses and factories close for longer

For travelers, the key takeaway is that the entire period from about a week before New Year’s Day to the Lantern Festival (Day 15) is affected — in terms of crowds, transport, and business hours.

Before the Big Day: Preparation Week

While not officially part of the 15-day celebration, the days leading up to Chinese New Year are just as lively. Around 7 to 10 days before New Year’s Eve, Chinese households begin their annual deep cleaning, known as “sweeping the dust” (扫尘, sǎo chén). This symbolic act is meant to remove bad luck from the previous year and make room for good fortune.

During this period, you’ll notice:

• Spring Festival couplets (春联, chūnlián) appearing on doorframes — red banners with auspicious phrases written in black or gold ink
• Red lanterns strung along streets, in parks, and across shop fronts
• Festival markets (年货市场, niánhuò shìchǎng) selling snacks, decorations, new clothes, and gifts
• Massive crowds at train stations and airports as millions of migrant workers head home — this is the famous chunyun (春运) rush

For international travelers, this pre-festival week is actually one of the best times to visit. The atmosphere is electric, decorations are going up, and many attractions still operate on regular schedules.

New Year’s Eve: Day 0 (除夕, Chúxī)

Technically, the festival begins on New Year’s Eve, which is just as important as New Year’s Day itself. This is the night of the reunion dinner (年夜饭, niányèfàn), the most significant meal of the year.

Typical traditions on this day:

• Families gather for a lavish dinner featuring symbolic dishes — fish (representing surplus), dumplings (representing wealth), and glutinous rice cakes (representing prosperity)
• Red envelopes (红包, hóngbāo) filled with money are given to children and unmarried young adults
• Many families stay up until midnight watching the CCTV Spring Festival Gala, a variety show that has run since 1983
• At midnight, fireworks and firecrackers light up the sky — in major cities, be prepared for noise that lasts well into the early hours

Travel tip: This is the hardest night to find restaurants or taxis. Many shops close early, and public transport operates on reduced schedules. If you’re in a big city like Beijing or Shanghai, consider booking a hotel with an on-site restaurant well in advance.

Day 1: New Year’s Day (春节, Chūnjié)

The first day of the new lunar year is all about welcoming the new year and paying respects to elders and deities.

Key customs:

• Wearing new clothes, preferably in red or other bright colors
• Visiting seniors — married couples often visit the husband’s parents first
• Exchanging red envelopes and gifts
• Avoiding sweeping — sweeping the floor on Day 1 is said to sweep away good luck
• Lighting firecrackers to ward off the mythical beast Nian (年)

For travelers, this is a day of quiet streets in the morning as families stay home. By afternoon, you’ll see people emerging in their finest clothes, heading to temples and parks.

Day 2: Visiting In-Laws and Welcoming the God of Wealth

Day 2 is traditionally reserved for married daughters to visit their parents’ homes — a practice that dates back to when daughters were considered part of their husband’s family after marriage.

More significantly for those interested in folk customs, Day 2 is when people welcome the God of Wealth (财神, Cáishén). Many shops and businesses reopen on this day, performing rituals to attract prosperity for the coming year.

Day 3: Rest and Avoid Conflict

Known as “Red Dog Day” (赤狗日, Chìgǒu Rì), Day 3 is considered an unlucky day for social visits. Traditionally, people stay home, rest, and avoid arguments. Many families use this day to burn paper offerings for deceased ancestors.

For travelers, this is a quieter day — a good opportunity to visit museums or walk through the city without the crowds you’ll encounter later in the week.

Day 4: Preparing for the God of the Hearth

Day 4 involves preparations to welcome the God of the Hearth (灶神, Zàoshén) back from his annual report to the Jade Emperor. Families clean the kitchen and prepare offerings.

In many workplaces, Day 4 is the last day of the official holiday before businesses resume. If you’re visiting commercial areas, you’ll notice shops beginning to reopen.

Day 5: The God of Wealth Arrives (破五, Pòwǔ)

This is one of the most important days of the entire festival. Day 5 is called Pòwǔ (破五), literally meaning “breaking the fifth,” and it marks the day the God of Wealth descends to earth.

Key customs:

• Massive firecracker displays — even more intense than New Year’s Eve in many places
• Eating jiaozi (dumplings) — their shape resembles ancient Chinese gold ingots
• Household cleaning — unlike Day 1, sweeping is now permitted and encouraged
• Reopening of businesses — most shops, restaurants, and offices resume operations

For international visitors, Day 5 is a fantastic day to experience the festival’s energy. Expect bustling streets, loud celebrations, and the resumption of normal city life.

Day 6: Business Resumes

Day 6 is when most businesses officially reopen, though many workers remain on flexible schedules. Traditionally, this was a day for visiting friends and colleagues, exchanging New Year greetings, and setting business goals for the year ahead.

Day 7: Human’s Birthday (人日, Rénrì)

The seventh day of the new year is considered the birthday of all humankind in Chinese mythology. According to legend, the goddess Nüwa created animals on different days, and humans on the seventh day.

Traditions include:

• Eating yusheng (鱼生) in southern China, a raw fish salad that’s tossed high while shouting auspicious phrases
• Eating noodle soup in northern China, with long noodles symbolizing longevity
• Avoiding punishment of any kind — it’s considered a day for kindness

This is also when the official public holiday ends in most of mainland China. Expect roads, public transport, and workplaces to return to full capacity.

Day 8: Celebrating Millet Harvest

Day 8 is associated with the harvest of millet, one of China’s ancient staple crops. In some regions, this is a day to pray for good weather and a bountiful harvest in the coming year. Many families observe the stars this evening, with clear skies considered a good omen.

Day 9: The Jade Emperor’s Birthday (天公生, Tiāngōng Shēng)

The ninth day marks the birthday of the Jade Emperor (玉皇大帝, Yùhuáng Dàdì), the supreme deity in Taoist mythology. This is especially significant in southern China, particularly in Fujian province and among overseas Chinese communities.

Celebrations include:

• Elaborate offerings at Taoist temples — including sugarcane, which legend says saved the Hokkien people from persecution
• Large street processions in some towns
• Family altars with incense, fruits, and paper money

If you’re traveling in southern China, this is a unique cultural experience worth seeking out.

Day 10: Offering to the Earth God

In some traditions, Day 10 is when families make offerings to the God of the Earth (土地公, Tǔdìgōng), thanking him for protection and asking for continued blessings. This day is relatively quiet compared to Days 5 and 9.

Days 11–13: Gaining Momentum for the Lantern Festival

The middle days of the second week are less ceremonial but important for the buildup to the finale:

• Day 11: A day for visiting friends and relatives who weren’t seen during the first week
• Day 12: Preparations begin for the Lantern Festival — purchasing lanterns, making glutinous rice balls, and decorating homes
• Day 13: Known as “Lantern Day” in some regions, when families begin assembling their lantern displays

For travelers, these are excellent days to explore tourist attractions that may have been closed or overcrowded during the peak period.

Day 14: Final Preparations

The day before the Lantern Festival is dedicated to making yuanxiao (元宵) — sweet glutinous rice balls filled with sesame, peanut, or red bean paste. These symbolize family unity and togetherness.

Families also set up elaborate lantern displays in homes, parks, and public squares. Many shops sell lanterns in all shapes — from traditional red globes to elaborate animal and zodiac designs.

Day 15: The Lantern Festival (元宵节, Yuánxiāojié)

The 15th and final day of Chinese New Year is the Lantern Festival, which brings the entire celebration to a spectacular close. This festival has been celebrated for over 2,000 years and marks the first full moon of the lunar year.

Main activities include:

• Lighting and releasing lanterns — in some cities, thousands of paper lanterns float into the night sky
• Watching lantern displays — parks and temples across China build massive, intricate lantern installations
• Solving lantern riddles (猜灯谜, cāi dēngmí) — riddles written on lanterns, a favorite family activity
• Eating yuanxiao or tangyuan — the glutinous rice balls, served in sweet soup
• Dragon and lion dances — particularly spectacular in southern Chinese cities like Guangzhou and Hong Kong

The Lantern Festival is often described as a Chinese equivalent of Valentine’s Day, as in ancient times it was one of the few nights when unmarried women could go out freely and meet potential suitors.

Regional Variations: Not All of China Celebrates the Same Way

While the core 15-day timeline applies across China, regional customs differ significantly:

Note for travelers: If you visit cities like Kunming or Dali in Yunnan, you may encounter minority groups celebrating their own traditional new year festivals on different dates. The Bai people, for instance, hold their own San Yue Jie (三月街, “Third Month Fair”) in spring.

Practical Travel Advice for the Festival Period

When to Visit

• Best time for authentic experience: Days 1–7, when customs are at their peak
• Best time for photography: Days 14–15, when lantern displays are fully built
• Best time for avoiding crowds: Days 10–13, a relatively quiet window

What to Expect

• Transport: Trains and flights fill up weeks in advance. If you must travel during chunyun, book at least 3–4 weeks ahead
• Attractions: Many tourist sites close or reduce hours during Days 1–3. Check official websites in advance
• Restaurants: Many independent eateries close for the entire week. Upscale hotel restaurants remain open but book out quickly
• Weather: The festival falls in late January or February, so expect cold conditions in northern China and mild but potentially rainy weather in the south

What to Try

• New Year cakes (niangao, 年糕) — steamed, fried, or stir-fried
• Dumplings (jiaozi, 饺子) — especially on Day 5
• Rice balls (tangyuan, 汤圆) — especially on Day 15
• Spring rolls (chunjuan, 春卷) — a festive favorite

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I visit China during Chinese New Year as a tourist?

Yes, absolutely. While domestic travel is chaotic, international tourists can enjoy the festivities if they plan carefully. Book accommodation in major cities well in advance, and expect some attractions and restaurants to be closed during the first 3 days.

Do I need to avoid traveling during chunyun?

Not necessarily. If you are flying between major international hubs like Beijing, Shanghai, or Guangzhou, the impact is manageable. But domestic train travel during this period is extremely challenging. If you want to explore the countryside or smaller cities, consider traveling before or after the festival.

What should I wear during the festival?

Bring warm layers if visiting northern China (temperatures can drop below freezing). Red clothing is festive and appropriate. Avoid wearing all black or white, which are associated with mourning.

Can I participate in festival activities as a foreigner?

Yes — in fact, most Chinese people welcome foreign participation. You can join in temple visits, watch lion dances, eat festive foods, and even receive a red envelope if you are unmarried. Just be respectful of customs, especially in temples.

Are there any taboos I should know about?

Yes. Avoid giving clocks (gifting a clock sounds like “attending a funeral” in Chinese), white flowers, or sharp objects as gifts. Also, avoid phrases with negative meanings like “death” or “illness” during the festival period.

Conclusion: A Festival That Rewards Flexible Travelers

Chinese New Year is not a single-day event but a rich, layered celebration that unfolds over 15 days — plus the preparation week before and the travel rush that surrounds it. For international visitors, the key to a rewarding experience is planning ahead and adjusting expectations. Some businesses will be closed, crowds will be intense, and transport will be crowded. But in exchange, you’ll witness one of the world’s most spectacular cultural displays: a festival built on family, food, fire, and the shared hope for prosperity in the year ahead.

Whether you arrive early to shop in the festival markets, stay up for the midnight fireworks on New Year’s Eve, or save your energy for the breathtaking lantern displays on Day 15, the Spring Festival offers an unforgettable window into Chinese culture. Pack your warmest clothes, bring an open mind, and prepare for a holiday experience unlike any other.