Quick Answer
Everything about Chinese New Year (Spring Festival): the 2026 date, the Year of the Horse, traditions, lucky customs, and how travellers can experience it.
Why it matters
Chinese New Year — also called Spring Festival ( Chūnjié ) — follows the lunar calendar, so the date shifts each year. 2026 ushers in the Year of the Horse , with celebrations beginning in February and running for about 15 days, ending with the Lantern Festival.
TL;DR (Quick Answer)
- 2026 is the Year of the Horse — Spring Festival falls in February 2026.
- It's the biggest holiday in China: 15 days of celebration, family reunions and the world's largest annual human migration.
- Travel smart: see the Chinese zodiac guide and plan a culture tour.
When Is Chinese New Year 2026?
Chinese New Year — also called Spring Festival (Chūnjié) — follows the lunar calendar, so the date shifts each year. 2026 ushers in the Year of the Horse, with celebrations beginning in February and running for about 15 days, ending with the Lantern Festival.
What Happens During Spring Festival
Families reunite for a New Year's Eve feast, homes are decorated in red, and children receive lucky money in red envelopes (hóngbāo). Streets fill with lion and dragon dances, temple fairs and fireworks. The holiday also triggers chunyun — the largest human migration on earth — as hundreds of millions travel home.
Lucky Customs and Taboos
- Wear red for luck and to ward off bad fortune.
- Clean before, not during — sweeping on New Year's Day "sweeps away" luck.
- Give red envelopes with crisp notes in even, auspicious amounts.
- Say auspicious greetings like Xīnnián kuàilè (Happy New Year).
Should You Travel to China During Chinese New Year?
It's a magical but busy time. Cities feel festive with lantern displays and temple fairs, but trains and flights are packed and many small businesses close. If you go, book transport and hotels early, focus on one or two cities, and use a guide to navigate closures. Prefer fewer crowds? Travel just after the holiday, or see our month-by-month guide.
Experience It With Us
Discover your sign on the Chinese zodiac hub, then plan a festival trip on the culture tours page or take the trip quiz.
FAQ
What animal is Chinese New Year 2026?
2026 is the Year of the Horse (a Fire Horse year), beginning at Spring Festival in February 2026.
How long does Chinese New Year last?
The main public holiday lasts about a week, but festivities run for 15 days, ending with the Lantern Festival.
Is Chinese New Year a good time to visit China?
It's festive and atmospheric but very busy, with packed transport and some closures. Book early, keep your route simple, or travel just after the holiday for fewer crowds.
