A guide to the Lunar New Year festivities from Leeds ISC
Lunar New Year is the beginning of the year based on the lunar calendar, which follows the moon’s phase. This event is observed by millions of people across the world, including people from China, Korea, Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia, Indonesia, etc. While the official dates encompassing the holiday vary by culture, Lunar New Year is most often celebrated on the first new moon of the year.
Lunar New Year traditions
Like Thanksgiving and Christmas, Lunar New Year is about family reunions and celebrations. It is also the time to give the house a deep clean to chase away old year’s bad luck, welcome new year’s good luck. The houses are usually decorated with splashes of red, gold embellishments, and lucky symbols, often including the year’s zodiac animal. People will often play music in the house and on the street to increase the festive mood.
Although each country has different ways to celebrate the holiday, most holiday customs in Asia are similar. In China, people often hand out and receive ‘red envelopes’ with money inside as a symbol of wishes for prosperity. In Vietnam, the festival wouldn’t be the same without indulging in delicious delicacies and sharing traditional food with family members. During the first new year morning, Koreans pay their respect towards their ancestors and celebrate with a feast.
Celebrating Lunar New Year in Leeds
If you are a student in Leeds, you can join The Merrion Centre’s Lunar New Year celebrations which takes place from 10.30am to 4.30pm on Saturday 10 February 2024.
The Lantern Festival will take place from 11.00am to 2.00pm on Saturday 24 February 2024.
If you need to stock up on goods or decorations for the new year, you can visit the store Taste the Orient or Sing Kee supermarket.
At Leeds ISC, please come along to our Lunar New Year Party on Thursday 8th February in the Common Rooms at both campuses!
We have plenty of activities to celebrate, like food sharing (you are welcome to bring in your traditional food), red envelope decorating, and lucky draws. Make sure you arrive on time for your morning class to receive ‘lucky money’ from us!
Don’t forget to share your Lunar New Year celebration with us by tagging @leeds_isc in your Instagram post.
