The Spring Festival, also known as Chinese New Year or Lunar New Year, is the most important traditional festival celebrated by many East Asian cultures. It marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring in the lunar calendar. The festival usually falls between January 21 and February 20, depending on the lunar calendar.

Key features of the Spring Festival include:

Family Reunions: The Spring Festival is a time for family members to come together, similar to Western celebrations of Christmas. People travel long distances to reunite with their families and celebrate the holiday together.

New Year's Eve Dinner (年夜饭): Families gather for a special dinner on New Year's Eve, featuring traditional dishes with symbolic meanings. Foods like fish, dumplings, and spring rolls are commonly served, symbolizing prosperity, good luck, and the coming of spring.

Fireworks and Firecrackers: Lighting fireworks and firecrackers is a traditional way to celebrate the New Year and drive away evil spirits. The loud noises are believed to scare away bad luck and welcome good fortune.

Red Decorations: Red is the predominant color during the Spring Festival. Red lanterns, couplets (poetic phrases expressing good wishes), and decorations are used to symbolize luck, happiness, and prosperity.

Giving and Receiving Red Envelopes (红包): Red envelopes containing money are given as gifts, especially to children and unmarried individuals. The red color symbolizes good luck and is believed to ward off evil spirits.

Dragon and Lion Dances: Colorful dragon and lion dances are performed in streets and public spaces. The dances are believed to bring good luck and prosperity to the community.

Visiting Temples: Many people visit temples to pray for good fortune and health during the upcoming year. Temples are often crowded with worshippers during the festive season.

Lantern Festivals: Various lantern festivals are held during the Spring Festival period. People create and display intricate lanterns of various shapes and sizes.

Cleaning and Decorating: Homes are thoroughly cleaned before the festival to sweep away bad luck, and they are then decorated with auspicious symbols and images.

Zodiac Animal: Each year is associated with an animal sign in the Chinese zodiac. The festival marks the transition to a new zodiac animal, each of which has its own significance.