ChinoHan

Little New Year

小年 · Xiǎonián. Twenty-third day of the twelfth lunar month in the northern tradition.

Red lanterns hanging before a pale moon
Lunar calendar小年Xiǎonián

Little New Year begins the final preparations for Spring Festival. Cleaning, offerings, and kitchen customs differ by region.

Story & background

Little New Year begins the final run-up to Spring Festival and is often linked with the Kitchen God, who is said to report on the household before returning to heaven. The story helps explain the focus on cleaning, sweets, and respectful preparation. Its date and customs vary between northern and southern communities.

Customs

  • Clean the kitchen and prepare the home for guests.
  • Share stories about the Kitchen God tradition.
  • Check whether a family observes the northern 23rd or southern 24th day.

Festival food

Sweet foods are common in many accounts of the day, including kitchen sweets and regional pastries.

Try this

Ask a Chinese friend which date their family uses and what they do first when Spring Festival preparations begin.

Dates in this guide

2026: 2026-02-10 · 2027: 2027-01-30 · 2028: 2028-01-19

Useful word小年xiǎoniánLittle New Year