Fireworks are always set off in festivals in China, especially on New Year's Eve. Fireworks were an army to get rid of the evil-Nian. That's why Chuxi came into being. (Nian was a demon in the legend, who was scared off by fireworks and red New Year scrolls. From then on, the day to get rid of Nian is called "Guo Nian" and "Chuxi".) The time to set off fireworks is different: after having dumplings, when the new day comes, etc.
在重要的节日里放烟火是中国人的习俗,除夕夜尤其如此。烟火是赶跑怪兽"年"的武器,这也是除夕的来历。("年"是传说里的怪兽,它害怕烟火和红色的春联。所以人们赶走"年"的这一天也被称为"过年"或"除夕")。放烟火的时间在各地有所不同:吃完饺子、或是等到新年到来等等。