Chinese New Year 2025 is fast approaching, and Malaysia is ready to embrace the celebrations with plenty of excitement. From preparing mouthwatering feasts that bring the whole family together to giving our homes a thorough clean for that extra touch of good fortune, we’re gearing up for a memorable start to the year. Red lanterns, intricate decorations, and lucky charms will soon adorn every corner as the festive spirit fills the air.
Whether it’s enjoying the iconic family reunion dinners, exchanging red envelopes filled with blessings, or indulging in various cultural customs, Malaysia truly knows how to celebrate. So, if you’re eager to learn how Malaysians are ushering in the Lunar New Year, join us as we dive into the top 12 Chinese New Year activities to experience in Malaysia in 2025.
1. What Are the Must-Have Reunion Dishes for Chinese New Year?
Auspicious reunion dishes like fish (abundance), prawns (happiness), abalone (prosperity), and chicken (prosperity) come along with tossing great fortune salad ‘Yee Sang’. However, it will only be complete with Nian Gao (glutinous rice cake) for rising prospects and bowls of steaming fa cai vegetable soup packed with good blessings.
2. What is the Must-Have Decoration for Chinese New Year for Your Home?
One of the must-have decorations for Chinese New Year is the “Red Lantern.” Symbolising good luck and prosperity, these vibrant lanterns are hung indoors and outdoors to usher positive energy. The red colour, considered auspicious in Chinese culture, represents joy and good fortune. Red lanterns often feature intricate designs, adding a touch of cultural elegance to the surroundings. Whether displayed along streets, in homes, or during festive events, these lanterns create a warm and festive atmosphere, making them an essential and symbolic decoration for Chinese New Year celebrations.
12 Best Chinese New Year Activities To Do in Malaysia 2025
1. Preparing Traditional Chinese New Year Feasts
Cooking preparations for Chinese New Year go beyond preparing food; they symbolise a collective effort to create an abundance of flavours and share the joy of togetherness. Families embark on this culinary adventure with anticipation as generations unite to pass down traditional recipes and techniques.
The kitchen becomes a hub of laughter, storeys, and the aromatic scents of spring rolls, dumplings, and steamed fish. For those opting for a restaurant experience, it’s an opportunity to savour the expertise of seasoned chefs while relishing the festival’s communal spirit. Some families would prefer to eat out at a restaurant instead for their Chinese New Year.
2. Cleaning the Home for Good Fortune in the New Year
The thorough cleaning done before Chinese New Year goes beyond just regular household chores; it’s a ritual that shows a strong belief in purifying the home to invite positive energy. Every sweeping and disinfecting action isn’t just about cleanliness but also about creating a spiritual sanctuary.
Additionally, it is customary at this time to pay respects to the deceased and clean and tend to their graves. Cleaning may be frowned upon during the celebration itself; it is done before Chinese New Year’s Eve. The tradition of cleaning before the celebration prepares for a new beginning, both physically and spiritually. If you’re curious about the best dates to clean your house and how to align your home with good fortune, check out our article on Chinese Auspicious Dates & Feng Shui Tips 2025 for more insights.
3. Shopping for Festive Décor and Lucky Red Accessories
For activities surrounding the Chinese New Year, shopping is essential. Around 10 days before New Year’s Eve, crowds are frequent in markets and shopping centres. The items typically bought include fireworks, firecrackers, New Year’s decorations, gifts, bulk dairy products, various snacks, fruit baskets, different grains, or Chinese wines and liquors. Additionally, these are the best presents to give while paying your family and friends a visit during the holiday. Moreover, the wish list must include candy, peanuts, and sunflower seeds.
Along with purchasing gifts for others, it is traditional for individuals to purchase new clothing and other items for themselves and their families. Nowadays, many people purchase online for convenience, and e-commerce businesses regularly host online New Year’s fairs with significant discounts and promotions.
4. Decorating the Home with Flowers, Lanterns, and Scrolls
Adorning homes with festive decorations is a meticulous process that involves more than just aesthetic enhancement. Each red lantern, Chinese knot, and zodiac-inspired ornament carries profound symbolism, as a protective shield against negative forces.
The careful placement of these vibrant embellishments is a visual expression of cultural heritage, creating an environment that resonates with positive energy. The overuse of the colour red, in particular, becomes a powerful tool in warding off evil spirits and inviting good fortune
5. Enjoying an Auspicious Reunion Dinner with Family
The most important and meaningful event for all Chinese people in Malaysia who celebrate Chinese New Year must be a reunion meal together with family and loved ones. No matter how far they may travel, the entire family is together during this time to enjoy each other’s company and catch up on current events.
Everyone makes an effort to return home to be with their families. Almost all the food is homemade, and it may be the most generous spread of the year. Additionally, fish must be served because the pronunciation of the word fish, yu, indicates “surplus” in terms of both riches and household supplies. Most families may even eat out at a Chinese restaurant if they prefer to go outside.
6. Exchanging Red Envelopes Filled with Luck and Prosperity
Red envelopes are a cherished tradition during Chinese New Year, symbolising blessings of prosperity and good fortune. Typically given to younger family members or the elderly, these vibrant red packets, known as *ya sui qian* (which translates to “money to suppress the demon”), contain cash gifts.
The amount inside varies depending on the giver’s generosity, but one golden rule is that the banknotes must be crisp and new, reflecting fresh beginnings for the year ahead. Beyond the monetary value, the act of giving red envelopes conveys heartfelt wishes for safety, peace, and a prosperous New Year to the recipients.
7. Sending Warm New Year Blessings to Family and Friends
Chinese individuals will wish “Xin nian kuai le,” which translates to “Happy New Year,” to one another during the Chinese New Year. Families like sending blessings and greetings during the Chinese festival to their friends, family, and coworkers via phone calls, text messages, email, social media, and—most importantly—in person.
On the day of the celebration, family members will often meet their visitors and wish each other well. If you are unsure how to choose a greeting or are looking for new wishes, you can look through our article on the best Chinese New Year wishes.
8. Visiting Relatives to Strengthen Bonds in the New Year
This may be the festival’s most crucial component when individuals who celebrate Chinese New Year will meet and welcome their family members and elders. This typically occurs on the first day of the Chinese year and continues during the two-week celebrations.
On the second day of Chinese New Year, married couples will go to the wife’s parents in accordance with customs. Giving Chinese New Year gifts, such as regional goods, food and wines, when individuals visit friends and family is considered acceptable. Additionally, their elders might give crimson envelopes to young married couples and young children.
9. Watching Acrobatic Dragon and Lion Dances
Most large shopping centres, venue spaces for events, and even businesses have their distinctive ways of commemorating the Chinese New Year and hold public events up to and including the Lantern Festival, which is Chinese New Year day 15.
These include religious observance, lion dances, dragon dances, and ceremonial folk performances. After spending a long time at home eating a lot of delicious traditional Chinese food, these fairs are enjoyable for the whole family and a perfect spot to visit toward the end of the festival.
10. Lighting Firecrackers to Scare Away Evil Spirits
In Malaysia, fireworks are displayed on almost every occasion, including weddings, new business openings, and holidays. However, Chinese New Year is when this activity stands out. When the fireworks go off at midnight, the air reverberates with the thunderous sound of firecrackers, and everyone cheers for the start of the new year.
11. Exploring Dazzling Themed Mall Decorations Full of Festive Spirit
Exploring themed mall decorations during Chinese New Year is a delightful way to embrace the festive spirit. Malls across Malaysia transform into vibrant spaces adorned with red lanterns, intricate floral displays, and creative installations reflecting the Year of the Snake. These stunning decorations provide perfect photo opportunities, festive markets, and cultural performances for visitors of all ages.
Whether you’re shopping for gifts, enjoying special promotions, or simply soaking in the lively atmosphere, visiting these dazzling displays is an excellent way to celebrate with family and friends while creating memorable moments during the Lunar New Year festivities. For more information, check out our article about the best mall Chinese New Year decorations in 2025.
12. Enjoying Heartwarming Chinese New Year Movies with Family
Enjoying Chinese New Year movies with family, loved ones, and friends is a wonderful way to celebrate the festive season. Watching the latest Chinese New Year films at the cinema creates a fun and memorable experience for everyone.
Films like Blooms of Happiness (新年.奇迹号), Queen of Mahjong (麻雀女王追男仔), Money Games (半斤百两), and Honey Money Phony (骗骗喜欢你) are perfect for all ages, bringing laughter, heartwarming stories, and festive humour to the big screen. For more information, check out our article about the latest Chinese New Year movies in Malaysian cinemas.
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