The 15-day Spring Festival begins on February 17, 2026, and ends with the Lantern Festival on March 3, marking the start of the Year of the Fire Horse in the Chinese zodiac.
Chinese New Year 2026 will be celebrated from February 17 to March 3, ushering in 15 days of festivities that conclude with the Lantern Festival. Also known as the Spring Festival, it marks the beginning of the new year according to the Chinese lunisolar calendar and is widely observed across China and by Chinese communities worldwide.
The festival is considered the most important traditional holiday in Chinese culture, symbolising renewal, prosperity, family togetherness and new beginnings.
Why Chinese New Year Date Changes Every Year
Unlike the Gregorian calendar, Chinese New Year follows the lunar cycle, which is why the date changes annually. It usually falls between January 21 and February 20, beginning on the new moon and ending with the first full moon of the lunar year.
2026: Year of the Fire Horse
The year 2026 marks the Year of the Fire Horse, replacing 2025’s Year of the Wood Snake. In Chinese astrology, each year is associated with one of 12 zodiac animals and one of five elements — Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water.
The Fire Horse year will run from February 17, 2026, to February 5, 2027, after which the Year of the Fire Goat will begin.
The Legend Behind Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year traditions originate from the legend of Nian, a mythical beast believed to terrorise villages at the start of each year. According to folklore, Nian feared red colours, bright lights and loud noises.
To scare the creature away, villagers decorated homes with red ornaments, lit lanterns and set off firecrackers—customs that continue today and are believed to ward off bad luck and attract prosperity.
How Chinese New Year Is Celebrated
Family reunions lie at the heart of Spring Festival celebrations. Festivities begin with New Year’s Eve reunion dinners, featuring symbolic foods such as:
- Dumplings – symbol of wealth and prosperity
- Fish – symbol of abundance
- Rice cakes – symbol of growth and success
The celebrations last for 15 days and include temple visits, lion and dragon dances, gift exchanges, fireworks and community parades. The festival ends with the Lantern Festival, when illuminated lanterns light up streets and parks to mark the first full moon of the lunar year.