What is the Chinese New Year's Eve all-night vigil called?

The Chinese New Year’s Eve all-night vigil is called shousui.

Shousui, written 守岁 in simplified Chinese and 守歲 in traditional Chinese, means staying up to “守” or guard the passing year. Families traditionally remain awake from New Year’s Eve until midnight or dawn, often gathering around a reunion dinner, talking, playing games, and watching festive programs.

The practice carries several meanings. Staying awake is associated with seeing out the old year and welcoming the new one, while older traditions connected the vigil with protecting family members from danger and evil spirits. It is also linked to the belief that children who stay awake can add to their parents’ longevity, making the custom especially significant within families.

Shousui is not the name of Chinese New Year itself, nor is it a separate festival such as Duanwu or Qingming. New Year’s Eve is also called Chuxi, 除夕, while shousui specifically describes the overnight vigil observed during it. Modern celebrations may include televised galas and countdowns alongside older family customs.