Lunar New Year
Welcome the Year of the Horse! Lunar New Year is the most important celebration in Chinese culture, also celebrated across Asia. Enjoy family reunions, special foods, red envelopes, and festivities!
About Lunar New Year
Welcome the Year of the Horse! Lunar New Year is the most important celebration in Chinese culture, also celebrated across Asia. Enjoy family reunions, special foods, red envelopes, and festivities!
History & origins
Lunar New Year is an ancient East and Southeast Asian celebration that marks the start of the lunar calendar year; in Chinese communities it is also widely known as the Spring Festival. Its roots are thousands of years old, and the holiday is tied to legends such as the story of Nian, which helped shape traditions like fireworks, red decorations, and family feasts. Because the festival follows the lunar calendar, its date changes each year and is celebrated across China and many Asian diaspora communities.
Why it matters
Lunar New Year is a major family reunion holiday, bringing people together for meals, ancestor remembrance, and the exchange of red envelopes that symbolize luck and good fortune. It also has major cultural and economic significance, driving travel, gift-giving, food traditions, and public celebrations in cities around the world.
How to celebrate
Enjoy traditional foods like dumplings. Give red envelopes (hongbao). Clean your home. Watch lion and dragon dances. Attend cultural celebrations. Learn about your Chinese zodiac animal.
Facts
- Also called Spring Festival
- Based on the lunar calendar, dates change annually
- Celebrated by over 2 billion people worldwide
- Each year is associated with one of 12 zodiac animals
- Celebrations last 15 days, ending with the Lantern Festival
Upcoming dates
- Tuesday, February 17, 2026
- Wednesday, February 17, 2027
- Thursday, February 17, 2028
- Saturday, February 17, 2029
- Sunday, February 17, 2030
Frequently asked questions
When is Lunar New Year in 2026?
Lunar New Year in 2026 falls on February 17, 2026. The date changes each year because it follows the lunar calendar, not the Gregorian calendar.
What does Lunar New Year mean?
Lunar New Year is the first day of the new year in a lunar or lunisolar calendar. In Chinese culture, it is commonly called the Spring Festival and is a time for family gatherings, special foods, and good-luck customs.
Who started Lunar New Year?
No single founder is known. The holiday developed gradually in ancient China, and its exact origins are mixed with history and legend rather than one documented originator.
How do people celebrate Lunar New Year?
People celebrate with family meals, cleaning the home, giving red envelopes, and watching lion or dragon dances. Many also eat symbolic foods such as dumplings and noodles, and the festivities often continue for 15 days until the Lantern Festival.
Is Lunar New Year the same as Chinese New Year?
They are closely related, but not always identical in usage. Chinese New Year usually refers to the celebration in Chinese culture, while Lunar New Year is a broader term that can include other cultures such as Vietnamese, Korean, and Tibetan traditions.
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