The jubilant lion dance is performed at the ancient town of Qingzhou in Weifang, Shandong province on Jan 20 to add to the festivity of Xiao Nian. [Photo/Xinhua]

A traditional Chinese wedding show is staged at the ancient town of Qingzhou in Weifang, Shandong province on Jan 20 to celebrate the Xiao Nian Festival. [Photo by VCG/dzwww.com]

Xiao Nian Festival falls on the 23rd day of the 12th lunar month. It is also called the Kitchen God Festival. Chinese families believe that the Kitchen God returns to Heaven on this day to report on the activities of every household over the past year to his superior, the Jade Emperor, who will either praise or punish the family based on the Kitchen God's report. Families often offer sweet foods like candy in order to "bribe" the Kitchen God into saying good things about the family.