When it comes to celebrating the arrival of a New Year, no one in the world does it better than the Chinese.

While the United States and most other countries in the world ring in the new year with a mere one day and night of celebration, the Chinese chime in with a whopping 15 days of revelry. And the Chinese New Year isn’t limited to just China; countries and territories (with large Chinese populations) such as Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines are also scenes for large Chinese New Year activity.

The New Year is the most important holiday and the most important festival of the Chinese culture. It starts on the first day of the first month of the traditional Chinese calendar, which is lunisolar, hence the holiday is also called Lunar New Year.

This is why Chinese New Year starts on January 23 this year, but on February 12 next year. It’s dubbed the “Year of the Dragon” in 2012.

Traditions and festivities that go along with Lunar New Year are too many to count, downing food such as pigs, duck, chicken and sweet treats. The night usually ends with families setting off firecrackers.

One of the more interesting traditions of the Chinese New Year is it’s supposed to be a time to reconcile and forget all grudges and to sincerely wish peace and happiness for everyone. Perhaps disgruntled Chargers fans should keep this in mind when continuing to be peeved that Dean Spanos didn’t sack A.J. Smith and/or Norv Turner.

Legend has it the beginnings of the Chinese New Year stem from a battle with Nian, a mythical beast. Word was that Nian would show up on the first day of the New Year to eat everything in site, kids included. Local villages protected themselves by putting food in front their doors at the start of the year believing this would stop Nian from devouring anyone.

It was reported that Nian was afraid of red and firecrackers, so villagers would hang red lanterns and red spring scrolls on windows and doors. Firecrackers were also set off to scare him. Nian never came to the village again, and was eventually captured and wound up on a Taoist monk’s wall.

In San Diego County, the population of those of Chinese descent is relatively small, especially compared to other major California cities. According to the 2000 United States Census, that percentage was 1.86. And while cities such as Oakland and Calgary, Alberta, Canada have bustling Chinatowns, there isn’t one in San Diego.

Nevertheless, there are some significant Chinese New Year celebrations going on around San Diego:

San Diego Chinese New Year Food and Cultural Fair: This annual event is celebrating its 30th anniversary as well as the New Year. It will go on rain or shine and will honor the 40th year of service by the San Diego Chinese Center. Among the goings-on at this large-scale bash will be dim sum booths, kung fu demonstrations, acrobats and tons more. Third Avenue and J Street, Downtown, January 28-29, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Kearny Mesa Lunar New Year Festival: This festival will celebrate numerous Asian countries, carnival rides, lion dances and other entertainment. $5 adults, $4 children. 7655 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., San Diego, January 27 (5 pm-11 pm), January 28 (11 am-11 pm) Sdcny.weebly.com

Barnard Elementary School’s Chinese New Year: Put on by the Chinese Magnet School, lion dances, face painting and other activity will be part of the fare. February 4, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. 2930 Barnard St., Point Loma (619) 224-3306

Lunar New Year Celebration: The Asian Business Association of San Diego hosts this event, which will offer a networking dinner and numerous cultural activities, $40-50. Jasmine Seafood Restaurant, 4609 Convoy St. San Diego, February 9, 5:30-9:30 p.m. (858) 277-2882

Golden Child: Directed and produced by Andy Lowe and Chinese Pirate Productions and written by David Henry Hwang. Set in 1918 China, Eng Tien-Bin is a rich merchant who has been away on business in the Philippines. He comes back to his village with a more Westernized mentality, not to mention plenty of issues with his three wives. $25, $20 (students, seniors with ID), $22 on line. 930 10th Ave., San Diego, February 5-25, 7 p.m. chinesepirateproductions.com