Major Holidays: Christmas |
Chinese New Year (January/ February)To the Chinese, the most important festival is Chinese New Year, which falls in either January or February. It is ushered in with the lighting of fire crackers at midnight on the eve of the Chinese Lunar Calendar.The colorful spectacle of Chinese New Year is evident long before the day of celebration itself. Eager crowds of shoppers can be seen searching for all kinds of seasonal delicacies: oranges for good luck, flowers and kumquat trees to beautify their homes. All debts must be settled and the house spotlessly cleaned before the new year begins. On the even of the New Year, family relationships are remembered with a special reunion dinner to usher in the New Year. Younger members of the family visit their relatives, receiving red packets of lucky money (ang paus) while feasting and merrymaking. The Chingay parade adds to the festive atmosphere with stilt walkers, lion and dragon dances, acrobats, and dozens of decorated floats taking to the streets amidst the clashing of cymbals and beating of gongs and drums. Penang is the place to celebrate the Chinese New Year.
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