The new lunar year is right around the corner, ushering in The Year of the Rat zodiac sign on the Chinese lunisolar calendar. If you’re eager to get among the East Asian celebrations, here’s where you’ll find the most spectacular events. Don your best red outfit and join the festivities around the globe.

China

Let’s start with the obvious choice. Where better to celebrate the ‘Chinese New Year’ than in China’s major hotspots – Shanghai, Beijing and Hong Kong? All over the cities, red lanterns will light up the streets where dragon-led parades take place. Major hotels, like The Peninsula Hotels (in all three cities) will have  lively celebratory events – giving guests a fun-filled insight into the festive tradition.

Thailand

Across many parts of Thailand, the new year celebrations are marked by public holidays – on which residents throw parties. In Bangkok, large parades, beating drums and Chinese foods are all part of what’s commonly known as the ‘Spring Festival.’

Taiwan

In Taiwan, the Lunar New Year is all about spending time with family and friends (and, commonly, spring-cleaning the home). That said, the public celebrations are still in full force. Fireworks and merriment fill the streets at this time of year.

Singapore

In Singapore, the Changay Parade is a not-to-be-missed item on the city’s event calendar. Beyond the chaos of the light-filled parade, the destination’s hotels and restaurants host celebratory events featuring delicious fare.

Related travel inspiration: Hot travel trends: how we’ll be travelling in 2020 and beyond.

Malaysia

For Malaysians, it’s all about the food during this culturally significant festival. Many celebrate at home with their families – who come from near and far to be together – yet, in cities like Kuala Lumpur Chinatown becomes the setting for a food-filled party. Visit Petaling Street in Chinatown, indulge in a ‘Yee Sang’ traditional meal, visit the local temples, to head to the city’s largest hotels for official parties.

Sydney

There’s no need to feel far away from the celebrations happening in Asia. The City of Sydney is hosting a range of exciting Lunar New Year celebrations, with great food, light displays and more.

The Star Sydney is set to ring in the Year of the Rat with its Lunar New Year entertainment and delicious menus from 18 January-9 February. The Star is expected to welcome more than 30,000 visitors each day during Lunar New Year, with guests expected to enjoy 7.3 tonnes of noodles, 30,848 dumplings, 7.4 tonnes of prawns and 480kg of lobster throughout the period.

In Sydney CBD, The Fullerton Hotel Sydney will celebrate the Lunar New Year season with creative menus, dragon and lion dance performances, decorations and custom cocktails, from 6 January to 8 February 2020.

To find out more about what’s happening in Sydney during the festivities, visit the City of Sydney website.

Related food inspiration: Melbourne and Sydney’s best Chinese restaurants.