Lanterns, dragon parades… the Lunar New Year is approaching, we explain why we should no longer say “Chinese New Year”

The new year will be celebrated this Wednesday, January 29, 2025, not only in China, but also in several other Asian countries. We explain.

The “Chinese New Year” is approaching and will be celebrated around the world this Wednesday, January 29, 2025. The previous year, it had taken place on February 10. This variation is explained by the fact that the date is determined according to the cycle of the sun and the phases of the moon, according to what is called the lunisolar calendar.

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In 2025, the lunar year will be placed under the sign of the Wood Serpent. This calendar has 12 or sometimes 13 months, each beginning with the new moon, as explained by the Institute of Celestial Mechanics and Ephemeris Calculation (IMCEE). The Lunar New Year, for its part, always falls on the second new moon after the winter solstice, specify our colleagues at 20 Minutes.

A holiday celebrated in other Asian countries

The New Year is often described as Chinese, but it is not limited to this country alone. Other Asian nations also follow this calendar and celebrate the new year on January 29, 2025. In Vietnam, this day is called Tet Nguyen Dan and is the most important holiday of the year. In South Korea, it is called Seollal.

Thus, using the term “Lunar New Year” rather than “Chinese New Year” helps to avoid generalization and acknowledge the different cultures that celebrate it, each with their own traditions. In China, this festival has its own specific name: the Spring Festival.