Chinese New Year 2026 will be celebrated from February 17 to March 3, marking 15 days of festivities that conclude with the Lantern Festival. Also referred to as the Spring Festival, the occasion signals the beginning of a new year according to the Chinese lunisolar calendar and is widely observed across China and by Chinese communities around the world. It is considered the most important traditional holiday in Chinese culture, symbolising renewal, prosperity, family unity and fresh beginnings.
Because it follows the lunar cycle, the date of Chinese New Year changes annually, typically falling between January 21 and February 20. The celebration begins with the new moon and ends with the first full moon of the lunar year.
Welcoming The Year Of The Fire Horse
The year 2026 ushers in the Year of the Fire Horse, replacing 2025's Year of the Wood Snake. In the Chinese zodiac cycle, each year corresponds to one of 12 animals and one of five elements — Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water — which together influence the year's symbolic character. The Fire Horse year will run from February 17, 2026, until February 5, 2027, when it transitions into the Year of the Fire Goat.
The Legend Behind The Festival
Chinese New Year traces its origins to the legend of Nian, a mythical creature said to appear at the start of each year to terrorise villages. According to folklore, Nian feared the colour red, bright lights and loud noises. Villagers used red decorations, lanterns and firecrackers to ward it off — traditions that continue today and are believed to drive away negativity and invite good luck.
How It Is Celebrated
Family reunions are central to the Spring Festival. The celebrations begin with reunion dinners on New Year's Eve, featuring symbolic dishes such as dumplings (prosperity), fish (abundance) and rice cakes (growth).
The 15-day festival also includes temple visits, lion and dragon dances, gift exchanges and community parades. The celebrations culminate in the Lantern Festival, when illuminated lanterns glow across streets and parks, marking the first full moon of the new lunar year and closing the festivities on a hopeful note.
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