2023 Chinese New Year Sets to Buy

There are few celebrations around the globe which are quite as colourful and steeped in culture and mythology as the Chinese New Year, the start of the traditional lunisolar and solar Chinese calendar.

Ancient myths and customs of the New Year related to the season as a time to honour deities and the spirits of family ancestors. In legend, the new year started with a beast called the Nian, who was afraid of the colour red and eventually driven away by red papers and firecrackers. To the present day, it is traditional for people to hang red decorations, such as hanging banners, with Spring Couplets written on them. It is also a tradition to thoroughly clean the house to wipe away ill fortunes and give money to unmarried family members in red paper envelopes (we like the sounds of this!).

When Is Chinese New Year 2023?

The start of the next Chinese lunar calendar falls on Sunday, 22nd January 2023. Expect to see plenty of celebrations around the world from different communities to honour the year of the rabbit.

With this year's Chinese New Year celebrations comes the release of four culturally aesthetic LEGO sets. These sets have proved very popular in previous years, so let's take a closer look at the latest offerings"¦

LEGO Lunar New Year Parade 80111

We think the colour and detail on this set speaks for itself. The forthcoming year of the rabbit is celebrated by a bold, giant rabbit decked in red on a golden float. Riding behind, we see a musical float complete with a giant tanggu drum.

There are a whopping 18 LEGO minifigures in Chinese New Year garb, including one dressed in a unique Year of the Rabbit costume!

This is a great LEGO set for anyone interested in Asian culture or intending to give a Chinese New Year gift this year. It would also look fantastic displayed around the house or even on a doorstep during the celebrations, perhaps lit up by the glow of a red lamp.

The set is priced at $129.99 and is available from Christmas Day on 25th December 2022.

LEGO Lunar New Year Display 80110

These two Lunar New Year display models are crammed with colourful festive symbols and details, including Yuan Bao-designed golden ingots, red pockets, and the traditional Zhao Cai Jin Bao and Hua Kai Fu Gui greetings. You can also spot moutan peony flowers and koi fish.

When displayed together, one set symbolises good wishes and fortune for the year, while the other wishes for blooming prosperity and happiness, making them perfect good-luck tokens to be exhibited on a mantlepiece or shelf.

The brick-built New Year display is available from Christmas Day on 25th December 2022 and will cost $89.99.

LEGO Money Tree 40648

Chinese culture has long dictated that a money tree brings abundance, good luck and prosperity, so this is an ideal set to display in the house over the Chinese New Year period as an eye-catching display.

The Chinese pilea peperomioides plant is recreated with a delightful range of brown and green bricks. The set also includes hanging tangerines, red envelopes, and coins to symbolise good fortune.

Grab this set on Christmas Day, 25th December 2022, for just $24.99.

Chinese New Year Sets 2022

You can still get hold of a few of last January's epic sets on the LEGO store and resale sites such as eBay, including Lunar New Year Traditions 80108, Lunar New Year Ice Festival 80109 and the Story of Nian 80106.

Free LEGO Chinese New Year Gift!

At some point this month, this cute LEGO Year of the Rabbit gift will be available as a gift with purchase on the LEGO store website.