How You Can Celebrate Chinese New Year

Also commonly referred to as the Spring Festival, Chinese New Year is the most important holiday in the Chinese Lunar Calendar.  

This year Chinese New Year falls on Sunday, the 22nd of January, which marks the beginning of the year of the Water Rabbit.  

The Water Rabbit represents those born in 2023, 2011, 1999,1987,1975,1963,1939 and 1927. The sign of the Rabbit is a symbol of longevity, peace, and prosperity in Chinese culture, and those born in the year of the Rabbit are believed to be vigilant, witty, quick-minded, and ingenious.  

If you’re looking for ways to celebrate the year of the Rabbit, keep reading! 

Eat Festive Foods  

Food is central in Chinese culture, and during New Year, it is tradition to eat ‘jiaozi’ - a crescent-shaped dumpling filled with minced stuffing and served steamed, boiled or fried. 

Often, the dumplings will be made either sweet or salt and contain a coin inside; whoever eats the coin is said to have extra luck that year. 

If you fancy celebrating the new year in with a plate of jiaozi, check out this recipe. 

Attend a Village Life Event 

From traditional food to decorations, why not go along to one of our Chinese New Year Village Life events taking place across our Villages?  

To see which events are taking place in your Village, head over to our Village Life events page.  

See What’s Happening in Your Student City  

To celebrate Chinese New Year, many cities across the UK often hold a parade and host other events you can go to.  

You’ll be able to take a look at what’s happening in your student city by visiting your local council's website.