Chinese new year

The Chinese New Year is associated with several myths and customs. The festival was traditionally a time to honour deities and ancestors.[3] Throughout China, different regions celebrate the New Year with distinct local customs and traditions.[4] Chinese New Year's Eve is an occasion for Chinese families to gather for the annual reunion dinner. Traditionally, every family would thoroughly clean their house, symbolically sweeping away any ill fortune to make way for incoming good luck. Windows and doors may be decorated with red paper-cuts and couplets representing themes such as good fortune, happiness, wealth, and longevity. Other activities include lighting firecrackers and giving money in red envelopes. Chinese New Year is also celebrated worldwide in regions and countries with significant overseas Chinese or Sinophone populations, especially in Southeast Asia, including Australia, Singapore,[5] Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar,[6] the Philippines,[7] and Thailand. It is also prominent beyond Asia, especially in Australia, Canada, France, Mauritius,[8] New Zealand, Peru,[9] South Africa, the United Kingdom, as well as in many other European countries, and the United States.[10][11][12] Chinese New Year has influenced celebrations, commonly referred to collectively as Lunar New Year, in other cultures, such as the Losar of Tibet, the Tết of Vietnam, the Seollal of Korea, the Shōgatsu of Japan, and the Ryukyu New Year (Okinawan: Sjoogwaci).[13][14][15] Credit: #UNISCO HERITAGE Chinese New Year (CNY) in Malaysia for 2026 falls on Tuesday, February 17th, with the second day of celebration on Wednesday, February 18th, as national public holidays, marking a significant festive period for family reunions, traditions like giving ang pow, and special events across the country. School holidays will also align, starting around February 15th-16th and running through February 19th-20th, depending on the school group. Key Dates for CNY 2026: First Day: Tuesday, February 17, 2026 Second Day: Wednesday, February 18, 2026 (a public holiday in most states) Public & School Holidays: Public Holiday: The first day is a federal holiday, with the second day also a holiday for most states. School Holidays: Dates vary slightly by group (A & B), but generally cover the period from Sunday, February 15th, to Thursday, February 19th, or Friday, February 20th, 2026, including extra days off . Celebrations: Expect nationwide festivities, including lion dances, family dinners (reunion dinners), and the giving of red packets (ang pow). Many hotels and restaurants will offer special reunion dinner menus during this time.