Chinese New Year's Day is the first day of the Chinese lunar calendar. But the date is different each year on the Gregorian (internationally-used) calendar, between January 21th and February 20th. In 2016 it's Monday February 8th.
When Chinese New Year is Celebrated?
Officially Celebration — 7 Days (February 7–13, 2016)
It's a public holiday for Chinese. Usually people have 7 consecutive days off from Chinese New Year's Eve to the sixth day after Chinese New Year's Day.
Officially only the first three days of Chinese New Year (February 8–10, 2016) are statutory holiday. Chinese New Year's Eve and three more days are always added to give seven consecutive days of holiday. The most important days of celebration are:
·Chinese New Year's Eve (February 7, 2016; ??the day of family reunions
·Chinese New Year's Day (February 8, 2016; ?? the day of (close) family visits and New Year greetings
Why Chinese New Year is Celebrated in Winter?
Like Christmas in the other countries, Chinese New Year is China's much-needed winter holiday. It was set to coincide with the slack time just before a new year of farm work begins, as a time of preparation. Traditionally most Chinese were farmers, so this made sense. Now 55% of China's population is urban (a generation ago it was 25%), but 100+ million return to their rural roots for CNY.
Celebrating a New Working Year and Praying for Good "Harvests"
According to China's traditional solar calendar, which dictates the lunar calendar, the first Chinese "month" is called 'start of Spring'. The farming cycle is set to start some time after this, but it really depends on the location in China. The ground doesn't thaw in some places until March.
During the Spring Festival, Chinese traditionally celebrate the start of a new year of farm work, and wish for a good harvest. This has now evolved to celebrating the start of a new business year and wishing for profits and success in various vocations.
Holiday Closures
small shops, restaurants, and businesses will be closed for about 10 days during Chinese New year. Some supermarkets may still run during this period, but most close earlier than normal days.
