Happy Chinese New Year! Guangdong is rolling out tons of Chinese New Year celebrations, inviting tourists to experience the province's festive vibes. Not sure where to find New Year celebrations in Guangdong? Follow this article to get some tips!
CGs' picks
The Consuls General in Guangzhou shared their personal picks for celebrating the Chinese New Year in Guangdong. Their recommendations highlight various destinations, Cantonese cuisine, and cultural activities, such as Guangzhou Chimelong Tourist Resort, Splendid China Folk Village in Shenzhen, and Zhongshan's pigeon and fresh fish hotpot. Don't miss out on these handpicked suggestions for a memorable experience in Guangdong this holiday season.
Chimelong's Car Lottery
Head to Chimelong for a chance to win an electric car in their New Year lottery! From January 28 to February 4, to celebrate the Chinese New Year, Chimelong Resort hosts eight prize draw events for guests who visit the parks or check into its hotels during this period, with the prize being an EV car.
Beyond the grand prizes, you can also enjoy fireworks lighting up the sky, acrobatic performances, and themed parades.
More details: Celebrate New Year in Chimelong, Guangdong, to win an EV car!
Lantern shows
To welcome the Spring Festival, various cities in Guangdong lit up their New Year's lantern displays, creating a strong festive atmosphere. For example, the 2025 Guangzhou Spring Festival Lantern Festival, which is the largest lantern festival in South China showcasing Lingnan Cantonese culture, illuminates the night at Yuexiu Park from now till February 16. The 2025 Greater Bay Area Lantern Carnival in Guangzhou's Nansha District features 218 light displays, 200,000 colorful lantern ornaments, over 2,000 varieties of regional delicacies, and over 1,000 performances. These lantern shows are perfect for night strolls or capturing Instagram-worthy moments!
More details:
Highlights and guide of 2025 GBA Lantern Festival
Picture | Guangzhou Lantern Festival illuminates the night during CNY holiday
Exhibitions
Guangdong's museums and exhibition halls offer a blend of art, science, and culture during the Spring Festival holiday. Visitors can explore the latest exhibitions featuring Chinese art, innovative science displays, and more, which are perfect for those seeking a festive, educational experience.
The poster for the Meet Dunhuang Exhibition. (Photo: Grandview Museum of Natural Science)
The lunar soil exhibition area at the Grandview Museum of Science. (Photo: Grandview Group)
More details:
Enjoy Spring Festival holiday with dreamlike science and art exhibitions
Dongguan museums offer free exhibitions during Spring Festival holiday
Celebrate CNY in museums with diverse Chinese art exhibitions
Flower viewing
The Guangzhou Garden Expo transforms parks into floral wonderlands with avant-garde designs and themed landscapes. Meanwhile, Yuyin Shanfang Garden charms visitors with a golden chrysanthemum display. Visit any district in Guangzhou, and you will be greeted with various traditional cultural activities and beautiful destinations.
The tulips at Yuntai Garden (Photo: Guangzhou Municipal Forestry and Landscaping Bureau)
The beautiful scenery of the Yuyin Shanfang. (Photo: Official WeChat account of Yuyin Shanfang)
More details:
Guangzhou Garden Expo: A top destination for New Year holiday!
Enjoy Spring Festival with chrysanthemum viewing and garden tours
Chinese New Year guide to Guangzhou's Huadu District
Cultural activities in Chaoshan & Zhanjiang
Cities across the province offer vibrant cultural experiences during the Chinese New Year holiday. In Shantou, you can immerse yourself in Chaoshan traditions: watch lion dances, explore art-science fusion exhibitions, or join sports tournaments blending modernity with heritage. Then, head to Zhanjiang and Maoming for Nianli—a unique carnival featuring street feasts, ancestral rituals, and piaose parades.
(Photo: Wu Caiqian)
More details:
Celebrate Chinese New Year in China's Shantou: art, science, and sports
Celebrate Chinese New Year in China's Shantou: modern festivities and cultural performances
Celebrate Chinese New Year in China's Shantou to explore rich Chaoshan culture
Zhanjiang Nianli: a massive carnival
Global flavors in Guangdong
During the Chinese New Year holiday, the people of Guangdong enjoy dishes with auspicious meanings, such as steamed fish, which symbolizes abundance, and cured sausage, representing long-lasting prosperity. As an international province, Guangdong also features overseas versions of these classic Chinese dishes.
More details:
Nine Dishes, A Global Twist: English fish and chips
A taste of Paella to bring prosperity for Chinese New Year
A taste of chicken to welcome fortune
Hotel deals & activities
Many starred hotels in Guangdong are offering exclusive Spring Festival packages, including cultural activities and special performances. Enjoy luxurious stays and festive experiences in the heart of the city.
Rich and delicious Chinese New Year Set Meal (left) and afternoon tea package with fortune blessings (right) at Hotel Indigo Guangzhou Haixinsha. (Photo: Hotel Indigo Guangzhou Haixinsha)
The handicraft workshop activity at the LN Garden Hotel Guangzhou. (Photo: LN Garden Hotel Guangzhou)
More details:
Starred hotels launch exclusive Spring Festival packages
Enjoy fun Spring Festival cultural experiences in Guangzhou
Lingnan folklore culture during Chinese New Year
In Guangdong, you can also enjoy rich intangible cultural heritages through traditional cultural activities. Visitors can experience the Zhanjiang Nuo dance at Nianli events, admire Foshan color lanterns at lantern fairs, or discover the Yingge spirit in Dawu clay figurines.
More details:
Zhanjiang Nuo dance: Gateway to western Guangdong's Nianli event
Foshan color lanterns: Festive masterpieces light up the night
Follow Chaozhou embroidery through festive flower market
Yingge spirit, frozen in Dawu clay figurines
Author: Huang Xinying
Editor: Liu Lingzhi, James, Shen He
