When is Chinese New Year?
Chinese New Year, also called Lunar New Year or the Spring Festival, starts on the first day of the first month of the Chinese lunisolar calendar. It falls on the new moon between 21 January and 20 February, so its date changes every year. It is the most important holiday in China and is also celebrated in Vietnam (Tết), Korea (Seollal), Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Chinese communities worldwide.
Each year is linked to one of the 12 animals of the zodiac. 2026 is the Year of the Horse, 2027 the Goat, 2028 the Monkey and 2029 the Rooster. Celebrations traditionally last 15 days, ending with the Lantern Festival.
Traditions
- Reunion dinner on New Year's Eve, often the year's biggest family meal.
- Red envelopes (hongbao) with money for children and younger relatives.
- Cleaning the house before the new year to sweep away bad luck, and decorating with red couplets and lanterns.
The holiday triggers the world's largest annual migration as people travel home, so trains and flights sell out weeks ahead.
Chinese New Year dates for the coming years
| Year | Date | Day of the week |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | February 17, 2026 | Tuesday |
| 2027 | February 6, 2027 | Saturday |
| 2028 | January 26, 2028 | Wednesday |
| 2029 | February 13, 2029 | Tuesday |
| 2030 | February 3, 2030 | Sunday |
| 2031 | January 23, 2031 | Thursday |
Frequently asked questions
Why does Chinese New Year change date every year?
It follows the Chinese lunisolar calendar, whose months begin at the new moon. The new year starts on the second new moon after the winter solstice, which falls between 21 January and 20 February on the Gregorian calendar.
What animal year is it?
2026 is the Year of the Horse, starting on 17 February 2026. The Year of the Goat starts on 6 February 2027. Use our age calculator to find the animal for any birth date.
The countdown runs to midnight at the start of the day in your own time zone. Dates of religious and lunar holidays can differ by a day between countries.