The Lunar New Year of 2021 is Friday, February 12th, 2021. Celebrations began with Lunar New Year’s Eve on February 11th and continue through the 17th. Sometimes known as Chinese New Year or Spring Festival, it marks the beginning of a new lunar cycle.

Lunar New Year Traditions

• It’s customary to do a Spring cleaning of the home and wardrobe. The purpose is is to get rid of any bits of bad luck from the previous year.  After that, to avoid clearing out the good luck, there’s no more cleaning for a while.  
• During a Lunar New Year celebration, you’ll see lots of the color red. This is because it’s a deterrent to a nasty, lion-like bad guy named Nian. In fact, Nian is afraid of red.
• Nian is also fearful of fireworks and ceremonial dances, so there are plenty of them.
• Another tradition is the gifting of small red envelopes filled with 8 coins. As a matter of fact, it’s a popular way to wish your friends and family good luck in the coming year.
• It’s not a Lunar New Year party without authentic Chinese food.
• The year 2021 is the year of the Ox. Learn all about the Chinese New Year zodiac animals here.

How can we enjoy the lunar festivities?

Ordinarily, if you were in New York City, Chicago, or San Francisco you would see some of the United States’ best Chinatown celebrations. There are parades, shops, restaurants, and temples all ringing in the New Year. However, this being the year of the pandemic, many of the traditional celebrations will be smaller or even virtual.

If you’re not able to visit Chinatown, why not put together a small, intimate party of your own? And, by all means, include some of the traditions listed above for an authentic feel. Furthermore, if you’re looking for party supplies, try Oriental Trading Co. for inexpensive decorations. Here’s the link to the Chinese New Year supplies.

By the way, if all that partying wears you out, check out this Dance Safari post, “5 Health and Wellness Goodies I’m Never Without“.

Wishing you the best in this Lunar Year of the Ox!