In northern China, the Little New Year falls on the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month, while most southern regions observe it on the 24th. In Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai, both the 24th day of the twelfth lunar month and the night before New Year's Eve are called the Little New Year. In Nanjing, the Lantern Festival on the 15th day of the first lunar month is known as the Little New Year. In parts of Yunnan, it occurs on the 16th day of the first lunar month, while in some southwestern and northern regions, it coincides with New Year's Eve.
The exact date is best determined based on local customs.
The Origin of Little New Year
It traces back to the mythical Kitchen God.
The ritual of sacrificing to the Kitchen God is one of Little New Year's primary customs, originating from ancient fire worship practices.Folklore holds that each year on Little New Year (the 23rd or 24th day of the twelfth lunar month), the Kitchen God ascends to heaven to report a household's deeds—both good and bad—to the Jade Emperor for judgment. On this day, families offer sacrifices to the Kitchen God at home, praying for peace and safety. Over time, Little New Year became the day for sending off the Kitchen God.
Customs of the Little New Year
Sacrificing to the Kitchen God
The Little New Year is the traditional day for folk sacrifices to the Kitchen God. People pray for peace through these offerings. When sending off the Kitchen God, they place sweets, clear water, beans, and fodder on the altar before his image.
Sweeping Away Dust
The period from Little New Year to New Year's Eve is known as the "Spring Welcoming Days" or "Dust Sweeping Days.""Sweeping away dust" refers to the year-end deep cleaning. Every household cleans their environment, tidies utensils, washes bedding and curtains, sweeps courtyards, dusts away grime and cobwebs, and clears both visible and hidden drainage channels.
Bathing and Haircuts
From Little New Year to New Year's Eve, both adults and children bathe and get haircuts.Folk wisdom even holds that "whether rich or poor, get a haircut for the New Year."
Should dumplings be eaten on Little New Year?
Yes, they can be eaten.
In some regions of China, particularly northern areas, there is a custom of eating dumplings on Little New Year. Northerners rarely celebrate a festival without dumplings. Eating dumplings on Little New Year's Eve symbolizes "sending off the old year with dumplings and welcoming the new with noodles.". The Little New Year also marks the beginning of the Spring Festival period, which traditionally spans from the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month to the 15th day of the first lunar month, or even the entire first lunar month. In the past, farmers could only rest during the harshest days of winter, highlighting the festival's role in providing respite. Thus, eating dumplings during the New Year celebrations became a long-standing tradition.