The Chinese New Year is the biggest celebration in the Chinese calendar. It's more important than birthday or holidays. This coming year, Chinese New Year will be celebrated on February 3, 2011. 2011 is known as the year of Rabbit or by its formal name XinMao.

There are twelve animal names in this system. So it repeats every twelve years. This system is very practical. A child doesn't need to remember what year they were born. They need only remember which animal year they were born in. Being from a certain animal is supposed to give the person particular traits of that animal. These traits are listed in the Chinese zodiac. For instance, if someone is born in 2011 or the year of the rabbit, they are said to be good listeners who are kind and sweet but also ambitious and know how to get what they want. They are said to plan ahead in making decisions. This can be seen as timid or wise and cautious.

Decorating for Chinese New Year involves lots of red, red, red. Red stands for happiness in Chinese culture. There are calligraphy signs posted on the front door called chun lian or spring couplet. There are also red lanterns hung in the houses. Gold is usually the secondary color for decorating. Gold stands for good fortune. So they want to welcome the New Year with happiness and good fortune. Signs with the luck are often posted throughout. Chinese New Year is an especially fun time for children. They are often given red envelopes with money in them.

Family is central is this celebration. Everyone gathers for a big reunion dinner. Lots of wonderful food is served at Chinese New Year's parties. Noodles are always served because they symbolize long life. And of course we all want that. Dumplings and pot stickers are also part of the celebration. Oranges are served to represent wealth. Pigs, ducks, and chicken are also served. Family also gathers to do a big yearly cleaning of their homes. They are hoping to sweep out any "ill fortune" and make room for all the good luck coming in the future.

Chinese New Year always includes a big parade with many dancers. The focal point for this parade is the great dragon. The night will end with lots of fireworks and celebrating. It's a fifteen day celebration that is the biggest celebration of the Chinese lunar year.