Chinese New Year usually falls somewhere between January 21 and February 20, depending on the lunar cycle.

This year, the celebrations begin on February 16 and will run until the start of March. It’s the Year of the Dog.

In Launceston, more than 500 people are expected to join celebrations at Tsing Wah Asian Grocer on Saturday, store manager Anthony Kwong said.

As per tradition, red envelopes will be handed out to attendees, to bestow luck for the coming year. 

“We’re going to have a lot of fun here this year and are bringing a bit more tradition into Launceston because it’s more multicultural,” Mr Kwong said. 

Along with a lion dance and four-metre-long crackers, a spicy noodle eating competition will also be held. 

“It’s one of the spiciest noodles in the world, made by Paldo, and it’s called volcano. You will burn like a volcano after eating it,” Mr Kwong said. 

The “Chinese Santa Claus” – Caishen – will also drop by the celebrations.

“He is basically dressed up as the man of wealth and he is one of the Three Wise Men in Chinese culture,” Mr Kwong said. 

While 2018 is the year of the dog, according to lore it’s not going to be a lucky 12 months for those who identify as the 11th sign of the Chinese zodiac.

The most recent birth years for the dog sign are 1846, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, and 2006.

Tsing Wah’s celebrations run from 2.30pm to 4pm on Saturday.

                        -Tarlia Jordan