Chinese New Year is also known as the Spring Festival or the Lunar New Year. It is the most important celebration in the Chinese calendar. In Chinese tradition, each year is named after one of 12 animals, which feature in the Chinese zodiac: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig. So the animals will have a year dedicated to them once every 12 years, in a cycle. Usually before the festivities begin, people clean their homes really well to make them ready for the celebrations. Then, when New Year's Day comes, there is a tradition not to pick up a broom, in case you sweep the good luck for the New Year out of the door! In China, schools and businesses can close for the first few days of the new year, so that everyone can spend time with their families. People enjoy eating lots of delicious food, including noodle soup, which traditionally brings luck for the year ahead. There are typically parades and performances, with people dressed in traditional clothes. Fireworks are also set off, because it is thought that noise and lights will scare away any evil spirits for the coming months. The festivities continue for two weeks, finishing with a special lantern festival, which signals the end of the new year celebration period.