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Chinese New Year

Ring in the Chinese New Year with vibrant festivals, delicious food and a wealth of traditions. Welcome prosperity and luck in the Year of the...!

Saturday

February 2027

Last updated February 7, 2026 · by the Holiday Calendar Team

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YEARLY DATEChinese New Year

OBSERVED INInternationally

CATEGORYCulture

SUBCATEGORYAsian Heritage

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

Get ready to embrace the Year of the... on Chinese New Year, which takes place on a jubilant February 10! Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, is the most important traditional holiday in China. With a history spanning over 3,000 years, the day celebrates the turn of the Lunar calendar. This holiday is not only rich in traditions such as family reunion feasts, dragon dances, and vibrant lantern festivals, but also, it's a time for inviting good luck for the coming year. So join the celebrations and welcome prosperity and luck in the exciting upcoming year! It's more than just a celebration - it's an auspicious occasion enveloped in colorful traditions and immense joy. Get ready to ring in the Chinese New Year with fervor and fanfare!

TIMELINE

Chinese New Year Timeline

Origins of Chinese New Year

The Shang Dynasty marks the earliest recorded celebrations of what would become Chinese New Year, tied to the agrarian lunar calendar.

Han Dynasty Celebrations

The Han Dynasty formalizes the lunar calendar and the related festivities, setting the foundations for modern Chinese New Year celebrations.

Tang Dynasty Festivities

The Golden Age of China under the Tang Dynasty witnesses grandeur Chinese New Year celebrations involving music, dances, and feats of entertainment.

Ming Dynasty Traditions

The use of fireworks and firecrackers to scare away evil spirits becomes a significant tradition during the Ming Dynasty's Chinese New Year celebrations.

Shift to Gregorian Calendar

The Republic of China officially adopts the Gregorian calendar, but the lunar calendar continues to be used to celebrate Chinese New Year.

Beijing Olympics and Global Recognition

Chinese New Year gains global recognition, partly due to the Beijing Olympics' global outreach, further spreading the rich traditions associated with this holiday.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate Chinese New Year

Host a traditional food feast

Chinese New Year is known for its feasts, so why not host one of your own? Invite family and friends over and cook some traditional dishes, such as dumplings, long noodles for longevity and a whole fish for abundance.

DECORATE

Decorate your home

Red is the lucky color of Chinese New Year. Deck out your place with red lanterns, paper cutouts, and banners with auspicious sayings. You can also include traditionally lucky elements like koi fish and dragons in your décor.

PARTICIPATE

Participate in a dragon or lion dance

These dances are essential to Chinese New Year celebrations as they are believed to dispel bad spirits. Join in or watch a local dance troupe perform at your local temple or Chinese cultural center.

MAKE

Make homemade red envelopes

Traditionally, red envelopes filled with money are given to children by their elders for Chinese New Year. Improvise by making your own red envelopes and filling them with sweet treats or small tokens.

RESEARCH

Research your zodiac sign

In Chinese culture, each year is associated with one of twelve zodiac animals. Find out which animal represents the year you were born and research its characteristics and significance to better understand Chinese astrology.

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why We Love Chinese New Year

A Celebration of New Beginnings

Like many New Year festivities, Chinese New Year symbolizes a fresh start. It's an occasion to welcome good fortune and prosperity, to let go of past regrets and to make way for new resolutions. More than just a day of celebration, Chinese New Year invites us to intentionally set the tone for the coming lunar year.

Rich and Colorful Traditions

Chinese New Year is not just a holiday, it's a cultural phenomenon carrying a history of extensive traditions and customs. From preparing a feast with symbolic dishes to decorating our homes with red lanterns and auspicious sayings, every ritual serves as a connection to our rich heritage and ancestors. Moreover, those traditions are not just limited to China, but observed by Chinese communities around the world, making it a truly global festival.

A Time for Family and Fellowship

Chinese New Year is a time for families to come together. It's an opportunity to share special moments, exchange red envelopes and appreciate the company of our loved ones. This element of unity and camaraderie is what makes the holiday so beloved.

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