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Lunar New Year or Chinese New Year 2026: Check key dates, animal of the year, celebration and all about Spring festival
Chinese New Year 2026: Lunar New Year 2026 is almost here! Marking the Year of the Fire Horse, it’s a season of family reunions and traditional festivities.
Chinese New Year 2026: Chinese New Year, or the Spring Festival, is a major celebration for Chinese and East Asian communities worldwide. Rooted in the lunisolar calendar, it marks the start of a new year and spans 15 days of festivities. From the year’s zodiac animal to its cultural significance, here’s a comprehensive guide to what the festival symbolises and why it remains important. (Also read: Solar eclipse of February 17, 2026: Can you see it from India? Know who can see the ‘ring of fire’ )
When is Chinese New Year 2026? Know key dates
Chinese New Year, also called Lunar New Year, is celebrated over 15 days, starting at the end of the first lunar month and ending with the Lantern Festival, which marks the first full moon of the new lunar year.
The festival falls on different dates each year, usually between January 21 and February 20, following the lunar calendar. In 2026, celebrations will begin on Tuesday, February 17, and conclude on Tuesday, March 3, with the Lantern Festival.
Chinese New Year 2026 Animal of the Year
2026 marks the Year of the Fire Horse in the Chinese zodiac. The Lunar New Year begins on February 17, 2026, kicking off the 15-day Spring Festival, which concludes with the Lantern Festival.
The Chinese zodiac cycles through 12 animals paired with the five elements, wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. The horse symbolises hard work, courage, and resilience, and is followed by the Year of the Goat. Across Asia, Lunar New Year celebrations vary by region, with some observing a different zodiac system.
Chinese New Year 2026 significance and celebration
The origins of the Chinese New Year are rooted in legend. According to folklore, a sea monster named Nian would emerge on New Year’s Eve to terrorise villages. To protect themselves, villagers discovered that Nian feared loud noises and the colour red. Over time, they began lighting firecrackers, decorating with red symbols, and wearing red clothing to ward off the creature. This tradition of vibrant, noisy celebrations and the use of red remains a hallmark of the Chinese New Year today.
Spanning 15 days, the Spring Festival is a family-focused celebration. Reunion dinners feature traditional dishes like dumplings, rice cakes, and fish. Parades with colourful lion and dragon dances are held to bring good luck and drive away evil spirits. Red envelopes filled with money are exchanged to symbolise fortune and prosperity. The festival concludes on the 15th day with the Lantern Festival, when communities come together in joyful celebrations across the streets.
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