When is Chinese New Year 2026?
February 17thThe New Year festivities traditionally begin with Chinese New Year's Eve on February 16 and continue through the Lantern Festival on March 3, 2026, marking the end of the celebration.
Culture & Food & Travel
Happy Chinese New Year 2026—Year of the Horse
An editorial guide to the rituals, flavors, and everyday customs of the Spring Festival — following the table from early markets to lantern night, and tracing how food reflects culture.
Chinese New Year 2026: Key Facts
February 17thWhat is the Chinese Zodiac of 2026?
HorseThe year 2026 in the Chinese zodiac is the Year of the Horse, and more specifically it is associated with the Fire Horse element in the 60-year cycle that combines the 12 animal signs with five elements.
How to celebrate Chinese New Year?
ReunionChinese New Year is celebrated with family gatherings and festive traditions, such as a reunion dinner, red decorations, red envelopes, fireworks, temple visits, and lion and dragon dances.
Chinese New Year 2026
CalendarFeb 15–23 are public holidays
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
Feb 16除夕New Year's Eve
Feb 17初一/春节Spring Festival
Feb 18初二In-Law's Day
Feb 19初三Day of the Rat
Feb 20初四Welcoming the Gods of Kitchen
Feb 21初五worship the God of Wealth
Feb 22初六Send Away the Ghost of Poverty
Feb 23初七Day of Human
Feb 24初八Day of the Grain
Feb 25初九Jade Emperor's birthday
Feb 26初十Birthday of the God of Stone
Feb 27十一Son-in-Law Day
Feb 28十二Lantern Day Preparations
Mar 1十三Lantern Warm-Up Day
Mar 2十四The Lantern Riddles
Mar 3十五Lantern Festival
What is My Chinese Zodiac Sign?
Pick your birth date to see which zodiac animal rules your year — based on the Lunar New Year.
Rat
Ox
Tiger
Rabbit
Dragon
SnakeHorse
Goat
Monkey
Rooster
Dog
PigThe zodiac year starts on the Lunar New Year (正月初一), not January 1.
Culture & Food
Chinese New Year Foods & Meanings
Discover the traditional foods enjoyed during Chinese New Year and the cultural meanings behind each dish. These symbolic dishes express wishes for good luck, prosperity, and family unity in the year ahead.
Fish（鱼 yú）Fish (鱼 yú) sounds the same as the word for “surplus.” （余）Symbolizes abundance and surplus for the year ahead.
Dumplings（饺子 jiǎo zi）Dumplings are shaped like ancient Chinese gold ingots, bring wealth and good fortune in the coming year.
Rice Cake（年糕niángāo）糕 sounds the same as the word high(高 gāo）symbolizes progress and success year after year.
Noodles（面条 miàntiáo）Longer noodles represent a longer life. keeping them long is believed to bring good health and longevity.
New Year Blessings
Chinese New Year greetings and wishes
Short greetings carry big wishes during Lunar New Year. Say these to friends, family, and colleagues.These phrases are short, memorable, and widely used in real life.
新 年 快 乐Happy New Year
- 阖家欢乐Joy and harmony for the whole family.
- 大吉大利May you have great luck and prosperity.
- 万事如意May everything go your way.
- 身体健康Wishing you good health.
- 财源广进May wealth flow in from all sides.
General Chinese New Year Wishes
- 马到成功May you achieve success at once.
- 马年大吉Great luck in the Year of the Horse.
- 一马当先Take the lead and be first.
- 龙马精神Wishing you vitality and strong spirit.
- 马上有钱May money come quickly.
Year of the Horse wishes
Stories from China
Explain China, One Story at a Time
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Why Red Envelopes Matter in China: A Guide to the Hongbao Tradition
Guide to China’s red-envelope (hongbao) tradition: who gives and receives, how much to give, lucky numbers, why red matters, and digital hongbao today.
Feb 3, 2026
How the Chinese Zodiac began: the river race legend
Behind the Chinese Zodiac is a river race, a clever rat, and a few moments of kindness and wit that shaped how people mark time.
Feb 5, 2026
Spring Festival Couplets: Poetry That Welcomes a New Year
Red paper, black ink, and a doorway that suddenly feels alive.Spring Festival couplets are one of those traditions that look simple from a distance, but carry a lot once you step closer.
Feb 6, 2026
Chinese New Year's Eve: Chinese Families Say Goodbye to the Old Year
A warm cultural snapshot of 除夕 (Chúxī), the emotional core of Chinese New Year, told through family routines, food, memory, and small rituals that still feel deeply alive.
Feb 7, 2026
New Year's Eve dinner: The reunion dinner that brings China home
On Chinese New Year's Eve, families gather for Nian Ye Fan, a meal built on shared seats, symbolic dishes, and the simple wish to start the year together.
Feb 7, 2026
The 10 Most Common Chinese New Year Greetings Explained
From doorsteps to group chats, these ten Chinese New Year phrases show how people in China wish for wealth, health, and togetherness during Spring Festival.
Feb 8, 2026