The start of the lunar year begins in February, and millions of people across the world will be gathering with family to get out the firecrackers and celebrate Chinese New Year . Today denotes the beginning of the Year of the Pig, defined by the Chinese zodiac cycle. The day is traditionally marked with the giving of gifts and celebrations with family, as well as looking to what the sign of the Pig will mean for the year ahead. Here's everything you need to know about Chinese New Year. When is Chinese New Year and why does the date change every year? The Year of the Pig begins on Tuesday February 5, 2019. Celebrations are expected to last until February 19. Chinese New Year takes place on a different date every year, because it is based on the lunar calendar. In this calendar a month is two days shorter than in the solar calendar so to make up for it an extra month is added every few years. The lunar calendar means the celebration always falls on a different date - unlike the … [Read more...] about How to celebrate Chinese New Year
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New Year’s Eve celebrations: Watch the fireworks as London joins world in welcoming 2019
London has welcomed 2019 with a dazzling firework display and the chimes of Big Ben. As the new year dawns you can catch up on all the celebrations from the UK, and around the world, with our live stream of all the best firework displays. Below we will be checking in with colour and pictures from all the big displays in the major cities. Happy New Year! London celebrates as Big Ben awakes The words "London is open" rang in the new year as the capital welcomed 2019 with a dazzling riverside fireworks display. The phrase was spoken in seven languages around two minutes past midnight as the city skyline filled with lights in the largest annual display in Europe. A soundtrack featuring Europe's finest musical artists celebrated the diversity of the capital, after Big Ben, silent for much of 2018 due to renovations, chimed once more. Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said the sold-out display would show Europe that the capital will remain "open-minded" and "outward … [Read more...] about New Year’s Eve celebrations: Watch the fireworks as London joins world in welcoming 2019
New Year’s Eve around the world
The year 2019 is making its debut. Though midnight is still many hours away in the U.S., billions of people around the globe are already ringing in the new year, bidding farewell to 2018 and welcoming 2019 with fireworks, prayer services and other festivities.Here's a look at how people are celebrating New Year's 2019. Fireworks in the Philippines Dozens of people have been injured by firecrackers ahead of New Year's Eve, when many across the Philippines set off powerful firecrackers in one of Asia's most violent celebrations despite a government scare campaign and threats of arrests.The Department of Health said it has recorded more than 50 firecracker-caused injuries in the last 10 days, which is expected to increase overnight when Filipinos usher in 2019 with a bang. Although still a concern, the figure is significantly lower than a year ago, partly because fewer Filipinos have purchased firecrackers due to hard economic times.Officials have urged centralized fireworks displays to … [Read more...] about New Year’s Eve around the world
Aldi Christmas opening and closing times – what hours the supermarket is open over Christmas and New Year
ALDI'S Christmas 2018 opening hours have been announced for the Christmas and New Year period. Here’s our guide to store opening times to ensure you aren’t caught short. What are Aldi’s opening hours in the run up to Christmas Day? Aldi's opening hours this festive holiday are definitely something to keep in mind when doing some last minute stocking up. The Christmas opening hours are as follow: Christmas Eve (Dec 24) - 8am-6pm (30 minutes early browsing) Christmas Day (Dec 25) - CLOSED Boxing Day (Dec 26) - CLOSED While these are the hours for the majority of stores across the country, shoppers are advised to check their local store’s opening hours. Christmas Opening HoursCan't decide where you want to sort your last minute food shop? Here's our full list of supermarkets and their opening times this holiday. What are Aldi’s opening hours in the run up to New Year? It’ll be business as usual for a few days between Christmas and New Year … [Read more...] about Aldi Christmas opening and closing times – what hours the supermarket is open over Christmas and New Year
When is Chinese New Year 2019 and what animal is it?
If one New Year isn't enough, millions of people will be looking ahead to the next big celebration Chinese New Year will be celebrated across the globe and takes place on Friday February 5 2019. If you're wondering why it is different to the traditional UK date which starts on January 1, it is because Chinese New Year marks the start of the lunar year whereas here we use the 'Gregorian' calendar. Sounds a tad confusing but simply, the date of the Chinese New Year follows the start of a new moon, which is why the date changes each year but it usually falls between January 21 and February 20. Though the Gregorian calendar is more widely used, in China the lunar calendar still has its place. The Chinese New Year, which is also known as the Spring Festival, falls in line with the Chinese Zodiac which runs in a 12 year cycle. Twelve animals represent each year: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig. And each one has its own characteristics just like … [Read more...] about When is Chinese New Year 2019 and what animal is it?