What: Chinese New Year
Where: Hong Kong, China, or Chinatowns worldwide
When: January 26
You can venture as far afield as Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong or as close to home as central London to get into the spirit of Chinese New Year.
With emigrants from the Middle Kingdom making their home right across the globe, you could even head to Bangkok, Mexico City or Paris for some New Year party action.
This traditional celebration is held on the first day of the first lunar month on the Chinese calendar, and is the biggest festival in the Chinese community.
In China itself, the whole country gets into the spirit of things.
While it’s a busy, crowded time to be there, the festive atmosphere makes it worthwhile, and fireworks (traditionally let off to ward off evil spirits) don’t come much bigger and louder.
In London there will be parades, performances, food and firecrackers on January 31 and February 1 in Chinatown.
And if you’re wondering, next year is the Year of the Ox.
