Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year or the Spring Festival, is a 15-day celebration observed in China and many other Asian countries to mark the start of the lunar calendar.
Lunar New Year celebrates the arrival of spring and follows the lunar calendar, beginning with the first new moon and ending with the first full moon 15 days later. Because the holiday is tied to lunar cycles, its date varies each year but typically falls between Jan. 21 and Feb. 20 on the Western calendar.
In 2026, Lunar New Year begins on Feb. 17 and concludes with the Lantern Festival on March 3. While celebrations can last up to 16 days, only the first seven days are designated as public holidays in China.
Each Lunar New Year corresponds to one of the 12 Chinese zodiac signs Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster and Dog as well as one of the five elements: wood, fire, earth, metal and water. Together, these form a 60-year cycle.
Following 2025’s Year of the Wood Snake, 2026 marks the Year of the Fire Horse, a combination that occurs once every 60 years. The Fire Horse is associated with high energy, ambition, independence and rapid change. The year is expected to emphasize momentum, bold action and transformation and will last until Feb. 5, 2027.
Preparations for the holiday begin days in advance. In the week leading up to Lunar New Year, families observe “Little Year,” a time dedicated to cleaning homes and settling debts. This tradition, known as “sweeping of the grounds,” is meant to remove lingering bad luck and make space for good fortune in the coming year.
Often compared to New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day in the United States, the holiday is the most important annual celebration in China and centers on family reunions, cultural traditions and welcoming good fortune.
New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day are traditionally reserved for family gatherings, ancestor worship and reunion dinners. A common custom includes the exchange of lai see, or red envelopes containing money, which symbolize good luck and prosperity.
Festivities throughout the holiday feature fireworks, dragon and lion dances, and visits to local markets. Many decorations are red, a color believed to ward off evil spirits. These customs stem from the ancient legend of Nian, a mythical beast said to attack villages on New Year’s Day but feared loud noises, fire and the color red.
Food also plays a central role in the celebrations. Reunion dinners often include symbolic dishes such as a whole fish, which represents abundance and prosperity.
Another seasonal tradition is admiring the plum blossom, a flower known for blooming in late winter sometimes even while snow remains on the ground symbolizing resilience and renewal.
With centuries of history dating back to the Shang Dynasty, Lunar New Year continues to blend mythology, tradition and family unity as communities around the world prepare to welcome the Year of the Fire Horse.
