Each year on the second new moon after the winter solstice (which normally occurs on or around this time of the month), the traditional Chinese New Year begins, and is celebrated for two weeks until the next full moon. On the first day of the Chinese New Year, ancestral spirits are honored and houses are decorated with strips of red paper to ward off evil and to attract good luck. A Lantern Festival and Dragon Parade traditionally take place on the last night of the New Years Celebration.