The Spring Festival, which marks the beginning of a new year on the Chinese lunar calendar, sees people from all over the country to return to their national cities to celebrate with family and friends. This year, the festivity takes place on January 29th, inaugurating the year of the serpent.
The Spring Festival is synonymous with Chinese New Year and is China’s most important traditional celebration. With the approach of this date, regions across the country have the traditional festive markets and cultural activities, which highlight the richness of local culture and the joyful spirit of the time.
The Spring Festival, which marks the beginning of a new year on the Chinese lunar calendar, sees people from all over the country to return to their national cities to celebrate with family and friends. This year, the festivity takes place on January 29th, inaugurating the year of the serpent.
On Wednesday, more than 100 sets of lanterns of various sizes illuminated the Beijing Exhibition Park. The event offered visitors an immersive experience of traditional culture, which joined the temple fairs, where they mix history and culture.
In the ancient city of Huizhou, in Anhui province, the famous large red lanterns with decorative golden bumps are hanging from the walls and streets of the city. Meanwhile, traditional red decorations, including spring festival, “Fu” characters and red peppers cultural, can be seen along the Wujiang River in the city of Zunyi.
“Welcome to the Chinese New Year”
But in other parts of the country, as by Exemele in Zezhou, the inhabitants are busy preparing “sugar melons” (in Portuguese ‘sugar melons’), a local specialty.
In Ningbo, there are many visitors that run from afar to see a market full of handcrafted products and snacks.
“The festive atmosphere is quite strong. Let’s experience the festive atmosphere together and welcome the Chinese New Year,” said Zheng Bowen, a Ningbo resident.
Dances, performances and fairs
Cities throughout China also launched a series of activities, offering people the chance to “taste” the joys of the Spring Festival. In Shunde, sweet oranges, which symbolize “good luck”, were harvested. In various emblematic sites of Shanghai, there are numerous fairs where there is no shortage of cultural options, such as Yingge dance and bank dragon performances.
“The sound of gongs and drums really evokes the festive spirit of the Spring Festival. This year marks the first year since the registration of the Spring Festival on the representative list of UNESCO’s Immaterial Cultural Heritage. We are really proud and very happy,” Said Yang Hui, a resident of Tianjin.
In decreasing counting for the gala of the 2025 Spring Festival
China Media Group held, this Wednesday, the fourth rehearsal for the gala of the 2025 Spring Festival, which featured musical moments, dance and traditional operas, promising performances that will make everyone surprised.
The gala, known as “Chunwan”, will be broadcast live on January 28, the eve of Chinese Lunar New Year.
