There’s a lot of things to look forward to in 2024. Looking at January alone, we’ll bet you’d want to hang around for new music, new shows and movies to stream or perhaps feel encouraged by this proverbial clean slate to practice better money management.

As January draws to a close, what’s next? The Chinese Lunar New Year, of course! As one of the first Philippine holidays, Chinese New Year is a time for fantastic dragon dances, jaw-dropping fireworks and a feast with family and friends. More importantly, however, this event ushers in prosperity: an invitation for everyone to join hands with the country’s Chinese community.

But when exactly is the Chinese New Year? Why is it important? How should we celebrate the occasion? Ahead, the answers to these questions along with everything else you need to know.

Also known as the Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, the Chinese New Year is arguably the most important holiday in China. This is a week-long event that marks the end of winter and the beginning of the Lunar Calendar. Celebrating the occasion represents the desire for a new life, so families get together to feast and honor their households.

Each year, the Chinese Calendar celebrates a particular animal in the Chinese Zodiac (the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig). The Chinese Zodiac bears great significance in the country’s folklore, representing different personality traits, too. Up to this day, many still rely on the Zodiac for personal guidance.

The Chinese New Year always falls on the second full moon of the winter solstice. This is why there is never a definite date for the occasion, and it can happen any day between January 21 to February 20. In 2024, the Chinese New Year falls on February 10, Saturday, marking the Wood Dragon year.

According to the Zodiac, people born in the year of the Wood Dragon are believed to be extremely creative and inquisitive beings, who like to explore many different paths in life which results in them being very open and liberal.

People born in the year of the Wood Dragon are encouraged to participate in activities that bring joy and cultivate deep connections with loved ones. However, they are advised to be cautious and tread carefully in the face of obstacles and setbacks. For these individuals, finding a balance between work and leisure to keep their heart happy is key this 2024.

• Create DIY New Year decorations with your family

  Got some free time on your hands? Give your home a makeover for the occasion. If Christmas trees and Santa figures are to Christmas, hanging up Chinese lanterns and similar ornaments are to your Chinese New Year celebration. It’s your chance to make it memorable. When hanging up decorations, always remember to keep things red, the season’s main color that’s known to bring good luck.

• Prepare and enjoy a homemade feast (but ordering in should be okay, too)

  Family gatherings are best enjoyed with delicious food, which is pretty much a no-brainer. Now that you know the exact date of the holiday this year, you can start planning your menu days in advance. Treating your loved ones to something homemade if you’re up for personalizing the experience.

• Experiment with different tikoy recipes together

  What’s Chinese New Year without sticky tikoy anyway? That said, instead of slicing your “New Year cake” to create thin pieces and frying them like usual, why not switch things up? Explore different variations like the ones ahead. These are just some easy-to-follow recipes for you to consider.

  • Tikoy Turon: Slice thin strips of tikoy, banana and jackfruit. Wrap the three ingredients together with a turon sheet. Fry until golden brown.
  • Tikoy ala Mode: Fry tikoy in the traditional manner. Add a scoop of your favorite ice cream upon plating. You can finish this off with your favorite dessert toppings, too, to make things sweeter.
  • Steamed Tikoy with Coconut: Trying to avoid fried foods? No problem. Simply steam tikoy and serve this with shredded coconut for a healthier alternative.

In 2024, the best way to celebrate the Chinese New Year is to unwind and reflect on the lessons you took away from the past year’s challenges. Here’s to more good luck this new Lunar year!