Chinese New Year
The world's largest annual celebration — where the zodiac cycle turns, ancient traditions come alive, and a billion people welcome the new year with fire, feasting, and fortune.
Upcoming Chinese New Year Dates
The Spring Festival
Chinese New Year — known in Mandarin as Chūnjié (春节, Spring Festival) — is the most important holiday in the Chinese cultural calendar, celebrated by over 1.5 billion people worldwide. It marks the transition from one zodiac year to the next, and the identity of the incoming animal shapes the celebrations, decorations, predictions, and cultural mood for the entire year ahead.
The festival spans fifteen days, from the first new moon of the lunar year to the Lantern Festival on the fifteenth day. Each day carries specific traditions: the first day is for welcoming the gods of heaven and earth; the second day for visiting in-laws and praying to the ancestors; the fifth day for welcoming the God of Wealth.
Traditions & Customs
Red Envelopes (红包)
Money-filled red packets exchanged as gifts, symbolizing fortune and good wishes from elders to younger generations.
Reunion Dinner
Families gather on New Year's Eve for the most important meal of the year, featuring fish (surplus), dumplings (wealth), and noodles (longevity).
Spring Cleaning
Homes are thoroughly cleaned before the new year to sweep away bad luck. After midnight, no sweeping is allowed to avoid brushing away new fortune.
Firecrackers & Lion Dance
Firecrackers drive away evil spirits, while the lion dance brings prosperity. The louder and longer, the more auspicious the year ahead.
The Zodiac Connection
The zodiac animal of the incoming year permeates every aspect of the celebration. In a Dragon year, dragon imagery dominates decorations, products, and marketing. Children born in that year are considered specially blessed. Astrologers publish detailed forecasts for each of the twelve signs — predictions covering wealth, health, love, and career that are consumed with deep cultural significance.
Every twelve years, your animal year returns — a phenomenon known as Běn Mìng Nián (本命年). Contrary to expectations, this is considered a year of potential difficulty. The traditional remedy? Wear red underwear throughout the year — a practice observed by millions, from farmers to Fortune 500 executives.
Chinese New Year by Year
Explore year-specific traditions, greetings, lucky foods, and customs for each upcoming Chinese New Year celebration.