Chinese New Year in 2025 falls on January 29 and ends with the Lantern Festival on Feb. 12. Celebrations last up to 16 days; the Chinese public holiday lasts from Wednesday to Feb. 4.

Chinese communities have since celebrated both the start of the Gregorian year on Jan. 1 and then the Lunar New Year, a reflection of cultural roots, some weeks afterward.

The seventh day of the Lunar New Year (February 4, 2025) is said to be when the Chinese mother goddess, Nuwa, created humanity. Thus, it’s called renri/jan jat (the people’s birthday).

In the U.S. and Australia, where there are substantial ethnically Chinese populations in cities such as San Francisco, New York and Sydney, Chinese New Year festivals and parades are held each year.

Although the shape is prescribed, the fillings allow room for interpretation. As long as you avoid Chinese sauerkraut (suan cai), a “poverty” ingredient, you’re fine. Shrimp, chicken, beef ...

Peak time for pickup is 6-8 p.m. Popular New Year's Eve menu items at Karma include fried rice, General Gao’s chicken and Kung Pao chicken, according to Pratt.

Light show programmer and designer Matt Schilling stands next to the “stunt cherry” that will be dropped at the stroke of 9:00 p.m. this New Year’s Eve in Milwaukie, Ore.