With schools now back, and those at work already feeling as if they’ve never been away, those January blues can soon take hold but for those experiencing a post-festive there’s good news on the horizon - because the New Year celebrations are not over yet.
Chinese New Year will be the next event in our social calendar and, as usual, Newcastle’s party plans are guaranteed to cheer up the dark winter nights.
And this year’s firecracker of an event - which will be on a bigger scale than ever before - will see the showpiece new year parade kick off in the very heart of the city centre for the first time.
The Chinese New Year 2018 and Chinese Zodiac New Year begins on February 16 and brings the Year of the Dog to the North East, with Newcastle hosting its best-ever - and the region's biggest - celebrations.
As always, the city will be alive with colour and celebration as people flock to Chinatown on Stowell Street but this year’s firecracker of an event - which will be on a bigger scale than ever before - will bring its showpiece parade to very heart of the city centre for the first time.
More spectators than ever are expected to watch performances including lion and dragon dances, parades, lanterns and live music as well as enjoying seasonal Chinese foods. And we always enjoy receiving your photos of the events.
There are lots of customs and traditions involved – but how much do you actually know about Chinese New Year? Find out all about it here and why this year's celebrations in Newcastle are set to be extra-special.
How many days until Chinese New Year?
Begins in
When is Chinese New Year 2018?
Bringing a blast of colour and sparkle to the city, Chinese New Year will get under way this year on Friday, February 16, with the big launch event in Newcastle taking place on the first Sunday. It will then run for 15 activity-packed days.
What's new this year?
The success of a recent crowdfunding campaign means that the festivities will be bigger and better than ever and the centrepiece launch parade will begin in the city centre for the first time and will follow a longer route.
The vibrant parade - with its dragon, lion and unicorn dances - is always a highlight of Chinese New Year in Newcastle, drawing crowds of spectators. It usually gets underway beneath the ceremonial arch in Stowell Street but the new proposed route will begin around the Monument and Old Eldon Square.
From there, it will then move through the city up to Stowell Street; accompanied by floats, colourful flags and banners and bringing the city streets alive with colour and sound.
Spectators can enjoy performances from the likes of female drummers - another first thanks to the funding boost - as well as Chinese folk dances and the addition of a children’s dragon dance.
Why does the Chinese New Year date change every year?
The new years follow the Chinese lunar calendar, which means that Chinese New Year falls on different days each year and coincides with the black, or new, moon in January or February.
It then goes on for 15 days, until the next full moon. It’s all about regeneration and new life – hence its other name of the Spring Festival. Chinese New Year falls on the first day of the new moon which begins in either late January or February.
What is the story behind Chinese New Year?
The Chinese New Year has been associated with the Chinese Zodiac since the Spring Autumn Period (771 to 476 BC).
The Chinese Zodiac runs on a cycle of 12 years, which each year being named after an animal. The 12 animals are Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig. People are said to hold similar personality traits to the animal named after the year they were born.
2018 will be the Chinese Year of the Dog (the dog is seen as a symbol of loyalty and honesty); following on from 2017's year of the Rooster, 2016’s year of the Monkey, 2015’s year of the Sheep, 2014’s year of the Horse and 2013’s year of the Snake.
What are the typical Chinese New year traditions?
Traditions differ, but the main message of Chinese New Year is for families to come together and wish each other peace and prosperity for the year ahead. On Chinese New Year’s Eve, families will gather together for the ‘family reunion dinner’ and gifts are exchanged.
One Chinese New Year tradition involves the older generation handing out red pockets (Hong Bao) filled with lucky money. These pockets are usually handed out to children or adults that are not married.
Throughout the Chinese New Year celebrations the colour red, a symbol of good luck and prosperity, plays an important part. Red decorations and lanterns are prominent in the streets, homes and offices throughout the celebrations.
The less enjoyable side of the customs is cleaning - sweeping is meant to rid the house of evil spirits, but families put away brooms on Chinese New Year’s Day to ensure they don’t accidentally sweep away good luck too.
How do you say Happy New Year in Chinese?
Kung Hei Fat Choi (gōng xǐ fā cái) is a traditional Chinese New Year greeting meaning ‘Congratulations and best wishes for a prosperous New Year! Happy New Year.’
Where’s the best place to go in the North East to get involved in Chinese New Year 2018?
You’d be barking bad to miss this year’s extra-special launch for the Year of the Dog so enjoy the start of the parade at the Monument on Sunday, February 18.
But, as usual, the focal point of Newcastle’s celebrations will be Stowell Street in Chinatown where between 11am and 4pm venues will open their doors with activities such as Chinese arts and crafts and restaurants will celebrate with special menus. They will be adorned with red decorations too, to symbolise the new year wish of prosperity.
The full programme of events for this year’s celebrations has yet to be announced but it will include entertainment, workshops and events for the whole family.
So how has all this been achieved?
The organiser of the parade, the Chinese Festivity Group, had been intent on attracting an even bigger audience to Chinese New Year which has a long and proud history in the city.
With the aim of raising £10,000 to boost this year’s plans, it applied for match-funding to the new Crowdfund Newcastle Culture grants programme, run in partnership with Newcastle City Council and the Community Foundation for Tyne & Wear and Northumberland.
And the application paid off, with the result that the upcoming celebrations are expected to draw extra crowds of around 15,000 people as the Chinese community show off its heritage with the help of more than 200 performers.
Amanda Chan, of the Chinese Festivity Group, said: “We have been honoured and humbled by the amount of support and encouragement we’ve received for the parade.
“It just shows the amazing generosity of the people of Newcastle and how important the Chinese New Year celebrations are seen in the eyes of the community.”
Remember to send us your photographs!
We would love to feature readers' photos of the celebrations in a gallery and possibly in print in the Chronicle too. Just email community@ncjmedia.co.uk with your name and where the picture was taken. You can also share your photos with us on our Facebook page or by tweeting us at @ChronicleLive.