The Chinese New Year is celebrated with family dinners, fireworks, red envelope gifts (hóngbāo in Chinese, bao lì xì in Vietnamese), and parades.
This year honours the Snake, which represents wisdom, intuition, and mystery, suggesting that 2025 will bring exciting opportunities, changes, and challenges.
To celebrate the Chinese New Year in Johannesburg, Joburg.co.za has some events and destinations to consider:
The Chinese Association’s Chinese New Year Festival
- Date: Saturday, 1 February
- Venue: Alberton Rugby Club
- Details: A family-friendly event featuring craft and food stalls, inflatables, theme park rides, Lion and Dragon dances, and a spectacular musical fireworks display. Tickets are available online and at the door.
Chinese New Year Cultural Festival at Nan Hua Temple
- Date: Sunday, 2 February
- Venue: Nan Hua Temple, Bronkhorstspruit
- Details: Experience a day of cultural festivities, including temple tours, multicultural performances, and a variety of Chinese, Cantonese, and Taiwanese cuisine. Entry is free.
- Date:Saturday, 8 February from 16:30 – 21:30
- Venue:Cyrildene
- Details:According to In your pocket,Cyrildene, has Joburg’s largest Chinatown. The street party includes dragon and lion dances, cultural performances, and a Chinese national costume parade. The streets will come alive with vibrant lights, colour, and noise, while the spectacular fireworks are always a must-see. Many restaurants will offer special New Year dinner packages and streetside seating with great views of the parade.
Explore Joburg’s China Towns and Malls
China Mart
Found at 2 Dorado Avenue, Crown Mines, China Mart is known for its family-friendly environment. It offers fashion outlets, gift stores, accessory shops, and fabric wholesalers, making it ideal for those seeking formal wear and wedding accessories.
China Mall Johannesburg
This mall is in the city’s central wholesale district at the intersection of Main Reef and Production Road, Amalgam. The building boasts over 500 stores and is a prime destination for beauty products, bridal attire, and budget-friendly shopping.
China Town Cyrildene
Located at 28 Derrick Avenue, Cyrildene, this area provides an authentic Chinese market street experience. It’s renowned for fresh Chinese vegetables, sauces, and tofu, making it a great spot for leisurely exploration.
China Centre Greenstone
Situated at 18 Greenstone Place, Edenvale, this centre features a children’s indoor playground and a range of shops offering furniture, clothing, party décor, and homeware.
WHAT WILL THE YEAR OF THE WOOD SNAKE BRING?
The snake symbolises wisdom, healing, and transformation, shedding its skin to embrace new strength. Like the snake, we can release the past and grow by letting go of control and old beliefs. Trusting our intuition will guide our decisions in the year ahead, even if it feels challenging at first.
For prosperity in 2025, wear gold for wealth, green for good fortune, and red for harmony and protection against negativity. Avoid harming snakes, as it is believed to bring bad luck.
Are there any restaurants or events you’d recommend for celebrating Chinese New Year?
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