Day 2, Little New Year (Feb. 2 or 3, 2024)

Little New Year, regarded as the prologue to Spring Festival, is celebrated on the 23rd day of the 12th lunar month in North China and on the 24th day of the same month in South China, eight or seven days before Spring Festival. In 2024, it falls on Feb. 2 and Feb. 3, respectively.

This day is also known as the Festival of the Kitchen God and families usually make offerings to the deity on the day. It is said that the Kitchen God returns to heaven on this day to submit his annual report to the Jade Emperor (the supreme deity of Taoism). Therefore, families offer sticky sweets to him in order to sweeten his tongue so that he only reports good things. Family members, especially children, also enjoy more sweets on this day.

Day 1, Laba Festival (Jan. 18, 2024)

Traditionally, Spring Festival countdown preparations begin on Laba Festival, the eighth day of the 12th lunar month, the last month of a lunar year. In 2024, it falls on Jan. 18. 

Laba Festival was originally held to mark the Buddha's enlightenment and has since evolved into a popular folk festival. Eating Laba porridge on this day is an established tradition, as the porridge symbolizes good fortune, long life and a fruitful harvest. 

The specialty is usually made with at least eight ingredients; therefore, it is also called eight-treasure porridge. Filled with cereals, beans, nuts and dried fruits, today's Laba porridge is both tasty and nourishing. Local festive food also includes Laba wine, Laba noodle soup, garlic pickled in vinegar and pickled Chinese cabbage.