1. The date varies!
The date for Chinese New Year changes each year. It always falls between January 21 and February 20, determined by the Chinese lunar calendar. Chinese New Year 2018 is on Friday February 16.
2. The holiday is oddly called "Spring Festival".
Though in winter, Chinese call their New Year holidays 'Spring Festival' (春节 chūnjié /chwnn-jyeah/), because 'Start of Spring' (4–18 February) is the first of the terms in the traditional solar calendar. While wintry weather prevails, 'Start of Spring' marks the end of the coldest part of winter, when the Chinese traditionally could look forward to the beginning of spring.
3. Every Chinese New Year starts a new animal's zodiac year.
Chinese zodiac years : A very old custom is to name the years by one of 12 animals in their zodiac cycle. For example, 2018 is a year of the dog. Many Chinese still believe in astrology and other New Year superstitions.
People focus on priorities: making amends, reconciling with people, avoiding offence, and re-establishing old ties. They buy and wear new clothes, give gifts, and clean house.
4. It is a festival for 1/4 of the world's population.
It's China's winter vacation week, like between Christmas and New Year's Day other countries. Schools in China get about a month off, and universities even more. China, Hong Kong and Macau, and nine other Asian countries have public holidays.
