Chinese New Year is the most important celebration in the Chinese calendar; every year marked with a different animal and in turn a different zodiac that carries unique symbolism for that year. This Chinese New Year falls on February 3rd and heralds the year of the rabbit. New Year festivities start on the first day of the lunar month continuing to the fifteenth when the moon is at its brightest.

Chinese New Year has many traditions, each of which signify good luck, wealth and happiness. Festivities are celebrated with family and loved ones in the first week followed by a Lantern festival. On New Years Eve families get together for a large traditional meal, depending on which region of China people come from. In the South people will eat ‘nian gao’ – a sticky, sweet rice pudding or djiaozi – a steamed dumpling if they’re from the North.
People use fireworks to frighten away evil spirits and will set off thousands of fireworks throughout the New Year celebrations but especially on New Years Eve and New Years Day. As well as fireworks people will give and receive money, decorate paper lanterns, set off Chinese lanterns and take part in a dragon dance whilst collecting money.

In some countries, like England, festivities are shortened meaning the lantern festival with fireworks takes place on Chinese New Years day. Exciting fireworks, firework displays, parades with dragon dancing and brightly painted lanterns are enjoyed by thousands every year.

In the UK major celebrations for Chinese New Year are concentrated in London, usually in Trafalgar Square, Leicester Square and Chinatown. London fireworks, special decorations, Chinese dragons and music are all free to be enjoyed.

Plan your Chinese New Year by following the Lunar Calendar
• February 19th 1996 – Rat – February 7th 2008
• February 7th 1997 – Ox – January 26th 2009
• January 28th 1998 – Tiger – February 14th 2010
• February 16th 1999 – Rabbit – February 3rd 2011
• February 5th 2000 – Dragon – January 23rd 2012
• January 24th 2001 – Snake – February 10th 2013
• February 12th 2002 – Horse – January 31st 2014
• February 1st 2003 – Goat – February 19th 2015
• January 22nd 2004 – Monkey – February 8th 2016
• February 9th 2005 – Rooster – January 28th 2017
• January 29th 2006 – Dog – February 16th 2018
• February 18th 2007 – Pig – February 5th 2019

Celebrations started with an aerial show marking the sky above Sydney Harbour followed by a smoking ceremony, cleansing negative spirits, with a series of teaser fireworks. Family fireworks began at 9pm lighting up Sydney Harbour and Harbour Bridge with a stunning firework display choreographed to a special soundtrack. This year promised to be the biggest and best firework display to date, leaving the crowd in awe after 8 minutes of the best fireworks.

Following the 9pm fireworks a fleet of vessels turn on their lights to begin a magnificent parade around the Harbour. The parade includes access to the Sydney Harbour exclusion zone where passengers were treated to an exclusive view of the family fireworks, bridge effect and midnight firework display.

Midnight marked a blockbuster firework display signalling the start of a New Year. Fireworks fired from barges, rooftops, off skyscrapers and some fireworks were even set off from Sydney Harbour Bridge. As with the family fireworks, the midnight firework display was choreographed to a bespoke piece of music in the world’s best open theatre. After 15 months of planning the crowd was dazzled by the show, including, new firework tricks, old favourites and an unforgettable firework display finale.

On New Years Eve in 2009 the fireworks display was attended by a record 700,000 people due to its renowned world class fireworks. Further to that more than 10 million people all around the UK and worldwide enjoyed the firework display through the televised coverage! 2009 saw the addition of fireworks choreographed to mood music with fireworks specially created for the UK’s largest annual firework display. Music was live from a DJ set at the event creating a firework soundtrack to the night.

New Years Eve is no ordinary night with thousands arriving up to three hours in advance eagerly anticipating the firework display, however many aren’t lucky enough to get to the viewing areas to witness the fireworks and firework music soundtrack first hand. A fortunate few will have experienced the firework display from balconies, rooftops and other high grounds, either way its one of the World’s best New Years Eve fireworks displays that shouldn’t be missed.

Black Cat and Standard Fireworks are launching a competition with The Sun newspaper for 20 lucky readers to win over £550 worth of fantastic fireworks each – totalling over £11,000!
So you’ll be able to put on a Bonfire Night Show that will have the whole neighbourhood talking!

Buy your copy of The Sun newspaper now and answer the question:

Which building was famously targeted by Guy Fawkes?
A The Houses of Parliament
B Buckingham Palace
C Hampton Court

Good luck !!