Here in the UK our year is already off to a flying start, but for the Chinese, their New Year is just about to begin! Chinese New Year is the biggest of all Chinese festivals and a public holiday in many parts of the world where there are Chinese communities. Celebrations often last for 15 days, but traditionally they would begin on the 23^rd day of the 12^th lunar month and end on the 15^th of the first lunar month. Modern society makes it much harder to hold such long festivities, but both New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day are always alive with celebrations. Thursday 19^th February marks the start of the year of the goat on the Chinese lunar calendar; it may also be viewed as the year of the ram or sheep due to different readings of the Zodiac animals. While China adopted the Georgian calendar in 1911, traditions have always remained. After switching calendars “New Year” did not seem a fitting name for the celebration so it became known as Spring Festival. In preparation for the festivities each household undergoes thorough spring cleaning to make way for the New Year. Once the house is ready, plenty of food is purchased to see the family through and new clothing is bought, usually in red, to wear while seeing in the New Year. Decorations and lanterns are hung in homes and stores throughout China in preparation for the coming celebrations. Spring festival is a time for family reunions, much like our Christmas Day. Relatives gather for huge and often lavish feasts known as reunion dinners on the eve of the New Year. Ang-Poh, which are little red envelopes containing money, are given to the children of the family for luck. Cities become awash with red and gold decorations for Chinese New Year and the streets spring to life. Lanterns are hung in their thousands and street vendors fill the air with aromatic smells. A huge part of spring festivals are the parades of dancers and floats that are held in most towns and cities across China. Typically you will see dragon and lion dancers flowing beautifully decorated fabric designs on poles over their heads mimicking movements of the spirit animals. On the last day of festivities Spring lantern parades are held through most cities, with red lanterns seen hanging in every home, store and park across the country.  Lantern riddles are also a common part of this celebration making it a fun and intellectual experience. The day of the lantern festival is also the first day of the Chinese New Year to see a full moon. Fireworks are very popular over Chinese New Year, much the same as they are in the UK. Magnificent displays are held in all major cities, as well as in many homes across the country. Firecrackers are also set off to ward off evil spirits and bad luck. If you’re celebrating Chinese New Year here in the UK then come on down to Hollywood and see our huge range of fireworks. We have stunning barrages like Shanghai Nights which gives you an awesome fan display, a perfect fit for a Chinese festival! We also have colourful sky lanterns for you to set off at your celebrations.