Chinese New Year is the most important cultural event in China.  Falling on a different date of the solar calendar each year, it is usually in late January or early February. This is why Chinese people call it "Spring Festival."  

      New Year's Eve is an important time for family reunions. In northern China, family members get together to make Jiaozi dumplings (as you see students doing below). The New Year's Eve dinner is the most important meal in the whole year all over China.

      Celebrations last to the fifteenth day of the new year, ending with the "Lantern Festival," which is celebrated at night with lanterns displayed.  In past times, young women were allowed to come out of their chambers to enjoy the lanterns on this night, providing them an opportunity to meet young men.  For this reason, the Lantern Festival is also regarded as Valentine's Day for the Chinese.

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	Click on the picture to see the video of this song about a mouse who loves rice!