The Lunar New Year 2024, Spring Festival or Chinese New Year is widely observed in nations like Canada. According to the Chinese calendar, it is the first day of the New Year. The Lunar New Year marks the start of a lunar calendar, also known as a lunisolar calendar, whose months correspond to moon cycles. Numerous cultures celebrate the occasion in unique ways and on varied dates. Scroll below to learn more about the Lunar New Year calendar and celebration.

History of the Lunar New Year

On the first new moon of a country’s calendar, millions of people throughout the world celebrate the Lunar New Year. Although the term ‘Lunar New Year’ is frequently used in English, it refers to celebrations based on both a lunar calendar and a lunisolar calendar. The Islamic New Year, commonly known as the Hijri New Year, occurs between October and December and is based solely on the lunar calendar. In East and Central Asia, a lunisolar calendar is used to time non-Muslim Lunar New Year 2024 celebrations, such as Chinese New Year. A few Lunar New Year celebrations, such as those of Vietnam and Korea, fall on the same day as those of China in late January or February because of their ancestry in ancient China and their foundation in the Chinese calendar or a deviation from it. Therefore, the duration of the holiday and the customary celebrations slightly differ. Other cultures, like those of Burmese, Lao, Sri Lankan, Cambodian, and Thai people, celebrate the Lunisolar New Year in the middle of April.

Apart from this, in the USA, the Lunar New Year 2024 firmly belongs to Chinese Americans, usually known as a ‘Chinese New Year’ among people belonging to non-Chinese backgrounds. In some nations, ‘Chinese New Year’ is the official name of the celebration in countries such as Malaysia, Brunei, and Singapore. The festival is known as the ‘Spring Festival’ in China. The Lunar New Year was founded in 1911 in the Republic of China. The Nisga’a people of Canada also celebrate it. Different cultures use different methods to determine the first day of a new lunar year. Let’s learn more about it by using the lunar new year 2024 as an example of what people do on this auspicious day.

How Do People Spend Their Time?

The Lunar New Year is a colourful and joyous time for many Canadians. This celebration, which can last several days, frequently includes events like street parades and festivals with traditional Lunar costumes, food stalls, dancing, firework displays, and arts and crafts booths. Many Chinese families in Canada like exchanging gifts, especially the red envelopes carrying money (Hong Bao, Ang Pao, or Lai See) that are typically given to young children. Some Canadian groups have also celebrated the Lunar New Year by hosting various events. For instance, Canada Post has recently released special stamps to celebrate the Lunar New Year. In the past, the Royal Canadian Mint has also released a new series of coins to celebrate the Lunar New Year.

Traditions of the Lunar New Year 2024

In Canada, the Lunar New Year is not a national holiday. Some Chinese enterprises may change their regular business hours or close on that day to participate in the Chinese New Year celebrations. There may be a lot of traffic in towns or cities where Lunar New Year events are conducted, and a few streets may be closed.

  • Historical Overview

The history of the Chinese community in Canada dates back to the 19th century. Chinese people migrated to Canada for various reasons, including job possibilities and growth-related prospects. Cities and larger towns across Canada started to create their own Chinatown districts in the 1890s. Before World War II, more than 60% of Chinese Canadians lived in British Columbia, according to resources like the Library and Archives Canada. However, for many years following the lifting of the Chinese immigration prohibition in 1947, the province only took in one-third of incoming Chinese immigrants. As a result, Chinese families began to settle all over Canada. Today, Canada is viewed as a multicultural nation where annual celebrations of holidays like the Lunar New Year take place.

  • Signs and Symbols

The Lunar New Year contains a variety of traditions and symbols. For instance, flowers play a significant role in New Year’s decorations. Many homes and workplaces include writings that make good-luck references. They are often painted with a brush on a piece of red paper cut into a diamond shape. Tangerines and oranges are frequently displayed in houses and shops as symbols of fortune and riches. A common hue for money envelopes (Hong Bao, Ang Pao, or Lai See) is red, which denotes joy, fortune, success, and happiness. The majority of the time, youngsters receive these envelopes as gifts. One of the 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac has an animal name linked with each Lunar New Year.

Different Countries Celebrate the Lunar New Year

Year 

Date 

Weekday 

Holiday type

Festival name

2018

February 16

Friday

Observance

Lunar New Year

2019

February 5

Tuesday

Observance

Lunar New Year

2020

January 25

Saturday

Observance

Lunar New Year

2021

February 12

Friday

Observance

Lunar New Year

2022

February 1

Tuesday

Observance

Lunar New Year

2023

January 22

Sunday

Observance

Lunar New Year

2024

February 10

Saturday

Observance

Lunar New Year

2025

January 29

Wednesday

Observance

Lunar New Year

2026

February 17

Tuesday 

Observance

Lunar New Year

2027

February 6

Saturday

Observance

Lunar New Year

2028

January 26

Wednesday

Observance

Lunar New Year

What are the Best Places in Canada to Celebrate the Lunar New Year?

Here is a list of destinations where you will surely find the holiday cheer across the country this coming new year.

  • Vancouver

Vancouver hosts the annual Chinese New Year Parade in Chinatown. The parade usually happens from 11:00 am to about 1:30 pm. If you want a good spot to watch, try to arrive early and find a place along Pender or Keefer streets near the entrance to Chinatown. The parade brings so much excitement to Chinatown with packed streets, bursting firecrackers and much more. It is one of the coolest events in the city during Lunar New Year. Just be ready for many people – it gets super crowded, especially if the weather is nice!

The parade feels like you’re in China with about a billion Chinese folks and other people from Vancouver all celebrating together. You’ll see colourful dragons and lions, hear the beat of drums, and watch bands and people in awesome costumes walking down the streets. After the parade, usually, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm, there are lion dances in different parts of the neighbourhood. It’s a super fun way to keep the celebration going! In 2024, Vancouver will celebrate the 49th annual Chinese New Year Parade in Chinatown. The parade usually happens on the first Sunday after Lunar New Year starts. This time, it’s likely on February 11.

  • Mississauga

The Mississauga Lunar New Year Gala in 2024 is a brilliant getaway. The event, confirmed to take place on January 27, 2024, will offer a unique celebration to residents and visitors alike. Organised by the Mississauga Chinese Arts Organization (MCAO), the event will help you step into a realm of celebration and cultural magnificence. The gala will be a tribute to the Year of the Dragon, promising an evening etched in memory. Since its inception in 2005, the MCAO has woven a tapestry of collaboration with diverse Mississauga organisations, weaving together spectacular showcases spotlighting an array of artistic expressions. The event will feature ethnic performances, culturally rich exhibitions and more. The event will commence from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm.

  • Other Events 

Here are two more destinations where you can find Lunar New Year Celebrations across canada in 2024:

    • Find LunarFest at these locations

      • Pendulum Gallery
      • 885 W Georgia St, Vancouver, BC V6C 2G2

    • Granville Island

      • Ocean Artworks Pavilion
      • 1531 Johnston St, Vancouver, BC V6H 3R9

In a Nutshell

Lunar New Year is not nation-specific, nor is it date-specific. The occasion is based on the moon cycle. Thus, it happens on different days in every other country and is celebrated differently according to that country’s culture. As it originated in ancient Chinese history, it is also called a Chinese New Year celebration by many people worldwide. You can get the deets of the festival from the above-detailed guide.

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Frequently Asked Question (FAQs)

Is Lunar New Year a public holiday in Canada?

In Canada, the Lunar New Year is not a national holiday.

Does the Lunar New Year always fall in the month of January?

Because the lunar new year is celebrated according to the lunar cycle, the dates of the celebration and holidays can fall anywhere between late January and early February, i.e., between January 21 and February 20.

Is the Lunar New Year only for Chinese?

The Lunar New Year is celebrated not only in China but also in a number of other Asian nations and territories, such as South Korea and Singapore, and also in Vietnam.

How long is the Lunar New Year?

The lunar calendar determines the new year, which is a 15-day celebration.