Chinese New Year 2017

This year, Chinese New Year falls on January 28th and marks the start of the Year of the Rooster. According to the Chinese Zodiac, people born in this year are confident, full of energy, smart, flexible and truthful. They are ‘people people’ – that is, they are talkative, outgoing and friendly. They like to be the centre of attention and to spend their time with other people. What about the negatives? Well, they can seem arrogant and self-obsessed, and other people might think them boastful.

Chinese New Year is the biggest festival in the Chinese calendar. Every year it causes the biggest migration of people in the world, as people return home to their families to celebrate. The Guardian today published some interesting photographs of people travelling home for the holidays.

Nowadays, this festival is celebrated around the world, so if you’re studying at one of our schools, you’re in luck!

In London

• Watch the New Year Parade and join in the celebrations in the West End. Find out more here.
• Eat something new and exciting in Chinatown. Time Out has some suggestions for you!
• Learn more about dim sum! Try some different varieties washed down with tea.

In New York

• Watch the Lunar New Year Parade.
• Enjoy singing karaoke with your friends at one of Chinatown’s karaoke bars.

In San Francisco

• It’s a little bit later, on February 11th, but you can also enjoy a parade here!
• Take a walking tour around Chinatown and find out more about the district’s history.
• Enjoy some of the city’s best Chinese food.

In Vancouver

• As it has the second largest Chinatown in North America (after San Francisco), it’s no surprise that Vancouver also has a parade!
• Learn more about the history and traditions of the festival at Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden.