Lunar New Year, also known as ‘Spring Festival’, is a time of celebration for Chinese and other East Asian countries. Each year, the festivities begin on the first day of the lunar month, and ends with a ‘Lantern Festival’ on the 15th day. This year, Lunar New Year begins on the 29th of January and is marked by the snake zodiac.

In New Zealand, Lunar New Year is an exciting time to celebrate the diverse Asian community and culture of the country. Marked by delicious food, vibrant street performances, gift-giving, and even fireworks, Lunar New Year in New Zealand is an exciting way to start the calendar year. Read on to learn more about the different ways you can take part in the Lunar and Chinese New Year celebrations.

Wish your loved ones well with Lunar New Year red envelope gifts

At the heart of Lunar New Year is gift-giving, which signifies your well-wishes for loved ones in the year to come. In Chinese and other Asian cultures, gifts are typically given in the form of money presented in a red envelope called ‘hóngbāo’.

In these cultures, red (as well as yellow and gold) symbolises wealth and prosperity. Culturally, it’s also important to avoid gift envelopes or wrapping in white, black or blue as these colours are associated with funerals and death. Similarly, it’s important to try and gift money amounts containing the number ‘8’ (signifying wealth and success), and avoiding the number ‘4’ (signifying death).

With Prezzee, you can wish prosperity onto your loved ones wherever they are with a virtual hóngbāo Lunar New Year red envelope! The Prezzee Smart Card or the Lunar Smart eGift Card lets you digitally gift the selected value of your choice to friends and family which they can swap for their favourite brands.

Host or attend a Lunar New Year dinner with loved ones

As well as gift giving, sharing a meal with friends and family is another way Asian communities celebrate good fortune and prosperity when ringing in the new year. Whilst you may be familiar with some of the popular meals enjoyed across Lunar New Year, you might not be aware of their fortune-based significance.

Popular Lunar New Year foods and their cultural significance include:

Fish (prosperity)

Spring rolls (wealth)

Dumplings (wealth)

Tangyuan – Sweet Rice Balls (family togetherness)

Tangerines, oranges, kumquats, pomelos, apples, and grapes (wealth and prosperity)

Niangao – Glutinous Rice Cake (a higher income or higher position)

Yi Mein ‘longevity’ noodles (happiness and longevity)

Whether you choose to try your hand at some of these lucky dishes or dine at a local business that specialises in the above, you’re sure to be in for a treat (and perhaps some good fortune on the side!).

Watch fireworks, lion dances and other cultural performances

When it comes to ringing in the Lunar New Year, the excitement and well-wishing doesn’t end at gift-giving and feasting. Perhaps one of the most recognisable images associated with LNY is the Chinese dancing lion known us ‘wǔ shī’.

These performances involve a large lion (operated by two dancers) dancing and moving along to drum and cymbal music. The lion’s movements represent the warding off of evil spirits and the welcoming of strength, power, luck, and prosperity. Firecrackers may also be lit during these performances to aid in scaring away evil spirits. Lion dances can be witnessed across the Lunar New Year period in places of cultural significance such as Chinese gardens, as well as businesses and restaurants.

Get hands-on and attend a Lunar New Year workshop

Thanks to New Zealand’s diverse, multicultural society, there is no lack of events and workshops to attend to get you in the spirit of LNY 2025. Most major cities in New Zealand offer free events at places of cultural significance such as Chinatowns and Chinese and other East Asian gardens. As well as food and lion dance events, often, you can find free activities for families, including craft workshops, special movie screenings, music events and more. For more information on what Lunar New Year events are being held in your town, you can check out these guides on Lunar New Year events in Auckland and Wellington.

Wish your loved ones good fortune and prosperity with Prezzee

Everyone deserves some good fortune in their year, and with Prezzee, you can show your loved ones that you’re thinking of them with the gift of a Smart eGift Card. In celebrating this year’s zodiac, our Lunar Smart eGift Card is decorated to commemorate the Year of the Snake. Whether you know someone who’s birth year lands on the Year of the Snake, or you simply want to wish a loved one good fortune and prosperity, this is a thoughtful gifting choice. Wish them ‘gōng xǐ fā cái’ (‘may you be happy and prosperous’) and let them spoil themselves to their favourite things this Lunar New Year with Prezzee.

Frequently asked questions about how to celebrate Lunar New Year

Who celebrates Lunar New Year?

Everyone! Lunar New Year is a time for celebrating Chinese and East Asian culture and community, and can be embraced by those who don’t come from these specific cultures.

Which countries celebrate Lunar New Year?

Although Lunar New Year is often associated with Chinese culture, Lunar New Year is celebrated by a variety of countries who observe a lunar calendar. This can include China, Vietnam, South Korea, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, and more depending on their respective cultures.

How long does Lunar New Year last?

The Lunar and Chinese New Year celebrations kick off on the 29th of January and run for 15 days, concluding on the 12th of February as part of the Lantern Festival. Whilst most Lunar New Year parades will take place on the first day of the Lunar New Year, it is common for a number of special events to take place over the entire 15 day period.