Raring2go! WHAT'S ON AND WHERE TO GO 13 Celebrating Chinese New Year 2026 On 17th February 2026, Chinese communities around the world will welcome the Year of the Horse, marking the start of spring in the lunar calendar. Also known as the Spring Festival, it's the biggest celebration in Chinese culture, lasting fifteen days and ending with the stunning Lantern Festival. Traditional Preparations In the days leading up to Chinese New Year, families give their homes a big spring clean to sweep away any bad luck from the past year. Then comes the fun part – decorating with red paper cuttings and scrolls covered in lucky messages. You'll see red everywhere because it's thought to bring good fortune and scare off evil spirits. Festive Feasts Family reunion dinners bring everyone together over dishes picked for their special meanings. Fish represents plenty for the year ahead, dumplings look like little gold coins for wealth, and long noodles mean a long life (no breaking them!). Children love receiving red envelopes stuffed with money from parents and grandparents – it's a way of sharing good luck between generations. This Year's Animal 2026 is all about the Horse, which represents passion, energy and a free spirit. According to legend, the Jade Emperor held a big race to work out the order of the zodiac animals, and the horse galloped in seventh. The Festivities Celebrations are a brilliant mix of traditional and new, with amazing dragon and lion dances, fireworks lighting up the sky, cultural performances and community gatherings perfect for families. It's a wonderful time for welcoming fresh starts and new possibilities. Head to page 4 to see what's happening near you... (Images from Moge Moge Art Education's craft workshops)
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