Nee Hao Magazine wishes all our readers a Happy Chinese New Year of the Dragon 2012. We have organised a number of events nationwide with collaborators to bring in the new year. As the festive period happens, we will upload articles of how everyone has been celebrating in the UK and China, so please send us your stories, videos and pictures. Peace, prosperity and love to you all. 

The Lunar new year is the biggest celebration in the Chinese and East Asian calendar equivalent to Christmas and new year’s eve combined together. It is a time to celebrate with family gatherings sharing good food, lion dancing, other traditional performances, fireworks and Chinese firecrackers.

In the UK thousands of Chinese and East Asian families will join together for a ‘united family new year meal’. Afterwards the older generation will maybe have a catch up with each other, play some Mahjong or other games, whilst the younger generation will go and meet friends at one of the many events around the country.

Children and people who are not married will get little red envelopes (利是 Li Shi) filled with money instead of presents. There are many sweets, pastries and Chinese confectionery on offer to so it’s probably not the best time to go on a diet.

Traditional lion dance with a contemporary twist

Check out Nee Hao’s latest Chinese New Year event in the city of Plymouth this coming Tuesday 24th January 2012. 

Keep your photos and stories coming in via email, we will upload more as the festivities happen.

Send it to [email protected]