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Chinese New Year starts with the New Moon on the first day of the New Year, and ends on the full moon 15 days later. The 15th day of the New Year is called the Lantern Festival, which is celebrated at night with lantern displays and children carrying lanterns in a parade.
The Chinese calendar is based on a combination of lunar and solar movements. The lunar cycle is about 29.5 days. In order to "catch up" with the solar calendar the Chinese insert an extra month once every few years (seven years out of a 19-year cycle) much like we add an extra day on leap year. Because of this, the Chinese New Year falls on a different date each year.
Both New Year's Eve and New Year's Day are celebrated in China as a family affair, a time of reunion and thanksgiving, and traditionally highlighted with a religious ceremony given in honor of Heaven and Earth, the Gods of the household and the family ancestors. The sacrifice to the ancestors, the most vital of all the rituals, united the living members with those who had passed away. Departed relatives are remembered with great respect, because they were responsible for laying the foundations for the fortune and glory of the family.
The first day of the Lunar New Year is "the welcoming of the gods of the heavens and earth." On the second day, they pray to their ancestors and the gods. They are extra kind to dogs and feed them well celebrating it as the birthday of all dogs.
The third and fourth days are for the sons-in-laws to pay respect to their parents-in-law.
The fifth day, Po Woo, is when people stay home to welcome the God of Wealth. No one visits families and friends on the fifth day, because it will bring both parties bad luck.
On the sixth to the 10th day, the Chinese visit their relatives and friends freely. They also visit the temples to pray for good fortune and health.
The seventh day, the farmers display produce and make a drink from seven types of vegetables to celebrate. It is considered the birthday of human beings. Noodles are eaten to promote longevity and raw fish for success.
On the eighth day the Fujian people have another family reunion dinner, and at midnight they pray to Tian Gong, the God of Heaven.
The ninth day is to make offerings to the Jade Emperor.
The 10th through the 12th are days that friends and relatives should be invited for dinner. After the rich celebrations, the 13th day should have simple rice congee and mustard greens (choi sum) to cleanse the system.
The 14th day is spent in preparation to celebrate the Lantern Festival which is held on the 15th night.
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Chinese New Year Holiday 
