Chinese New Year 2025 in Philippines

Chinese New Year has been celebrated in the Philippines for a long time since ethnic Chinese comprise about 1.5% of the population. It has become an official holiday and a designated day off, elevating the scale and significance of the celebrations. Manila's Chinatown, Binondo, which is already bustling with crowds visiting its numerous restaurants, transforms into a vibrant extravaganza, with traditional lanterns, parades, and red decorations.

Lunar New Year Celebration in Manila Chinatown, Binondo

Manila Chinatown Binondo was founded in the 16th century, which makes it one of the oldest Chinatowns in the world. Binondo is the center of all Lunar New Year celebrations in the Philippines. The whole area is lined with lanterns and red decorations. The red color is supposed to bring luck in the new year. People often wear red clothes or give money in red envelopes.

Parades of Dragons and Lions are the favorite part of the festivities. Colorful dance with twists and twirls attracts the most massive crowds of spectators on Ongpin Street, the major street of Chinatown. It is filled with onlookers, vendors, and performers.

Traditional Food

While you're here, try out traditional Chinese delicacies, like tikoy, sticky rice cakes, lumpia, which resemble spring rolls, and pancit, which has Chinese origins but is, at its core, a Filipino dish. Chestnuts are a favorite street food on Chinese New Year. Pineapples are also a popular Lunar New Year gift in the Philippines, as well as pomelos and other citrus fruits. Rice cakes can be easily found everywhere. Chinese Filipinos also feast on whole fish, noodles, and dumplings.

Events at Lucky Chinatown

Lucky Chinatown, located in the heart of Binondo, also hosts its own set of Chinese New Year celebrations, featuring live performances, special deals, and a food festival. Unlike the traditional festivities in the streets of Chinatown, the events at the mall continue for several weeks after Chinese New Year, giving you a chance to enjoy the festival to the fullest. Food vendors at Meisic Street, beautiful origami displays, prosperity rituals, and Chinatown Walk performances are all worth witnessing.

Chinese New Year Traditions

Many families in the Philippines use Chinese New Year as an opportunity for a family reunion and a grand dinner. While the adults enjoy the delicious meal and reminisce about the past, young children are thrilled to receive red envelopes with money. When accepting the envelope, which is called angpao, it's important to thank the giver and put money away without thinking about it.