Chinese New Year Celebration in Toronto, 2011

One of the most awaited festivals of the whole world is the Chinese New Year. A principal festival of the Chinese community, it is also known as Lunar New Year

and is celebrated in various parts of the world. Lunar New Year is celebrated is not only in countries having significant population of Chinese, but also in different countries like Australia, United States and Canada. Canada is one of the countries outside Asia where Chinese New Year is elaborately celebrated. Toronto, the biggest city of Canada, celebrates Chinese New Year or Lunar New Year or Spring Festival like any other Chinese populated countries. Like every year, Chinese New Year in Toronto, 2011 will include a number of interesting events and will be witnessed by a large number of audiences.

Chinese New Year Celebration

Chinese New Year is the most colorful, elaborate and important of all traditional festivals of China. In the year 2011, Lunar New Year will be celebrated on 3rd of February. The festival is usually celebrated on the foremost day of the lunar calendar’s First Moon. This centuries old event is participated by each and everyone from the Chinese community. Visiting relatives, kin and friends mark the festival.



Customs of the Chinese New Year

New clothes are generally worn during the New Year. Clothes that are dominated by the color red are mostly worn during the festival. The color red which is symbolic of good fortune, truth, virtue, sincerity and happiness is used in most of the decorations as well.

Fireworks are common in Chinese New Year celebration. The firecrackers that are burnt during this occasion are wrapped in red papers. It is believed that the firecrackers ward off the evil spirits.

Exchanging gifts is also a common custom of the Chinese New Year. Gifts rolled in red envelopes are given to the young ones by the elderly. Gifts are also exchanged between relatives or friends. Some of the common gifts are fruits, biscuits, cakes, chocolates and candies.

Good food is synonymous with Chinese New Year celebrations. The traditional dish of the celebration includes fish and chicken. During this time, variety of delicious dishes of Chinese cuisine is made which are enjoyed in family gatherings. Like any on the Chinese speaking countries, these events are also followed in Toronto.

Chinese New Year Celebration in Toronto

The city of Toronto celebrates Chinese New Year as grandly as any other festival or event. Lunar New Year celebration in Toronto has indeed become an important festival, especially for the Chinese community residing in the city. The Metro Toronto Convention Center arranges numerous shows which are usually performed by the Divine Performing Arts during the Chinese New Year.

Chinatown of Toronto celebrates this grand festival. The different parts of the Chinatown are decorated beautifully to welcome the New Year. For enjoying the liveliness of the celebration and the decorations and arrangements, bicycle tours are the best options.

Restaurants that line up the Chinatown sell delicious Chinese food during the festival. The restaurants are mainly located in the Old Chinatown area. In addition, a beautiful Dragon Dance Parade is organized for the Chinese New Year celebration. This parade of dragon dance is the major crowd puller of celebrations. There are five more Chinatowns in Toronto which celebrates Lunar New Year in their distinctive styles.

Latest Updated on 14/12/2010