Lunar new year is the beginning of a new year in the lunar calendar. It is a traditional celebration in East and Southeast Asian countries like Vietnam, Japan, and Korea. In China, they celebrate Chinese New Year also known as the Spring Festival.

Lunar new year is celebrated for 15 days, and it’s tied to the phases of the moon, beginning with the second new moon and ending with the next full moon. Lunar new year 2026 will be from February 17th to March 3rd. Throughout these 15 days, Southeast Asians have lots of family reunions, have feasts, dance traditional dances, fireworks, clean, preform rituals to let go of bad luck and wish for prosperity in the new year. Foods eaten during lunar new year are symbolic.

Dumplings and Spring Rolls symbolize wealth. The number of dumplings you eat defines how much money you make that year. Eating a whole fish symbolizes abundance, Although, you don’t eat the whole fish. You leave some leftovers to represent hope for abundance. Fish is usually eaten on the last day of Lunar new year. Chicken represents luck and wholeness. Like the fish, the chicken is served whole including the head and feet. The chicken is offered to the ancestors and gods hoping for protection and blessings. Sweet rice balls symbolize unity, and you wish for a sweet and a well-balanced year.

Long noodles represent happiness and longevity. It’s believed that how long your noodles are symbolizing how long your life will be.

You can’t forget about desert! Lunar new year cake symbolizes higher income or position. Main ingredients are sticky rice, chestnuts, Chinese dates and sugar.