When is Chinese New Year in 2026?
Chinese New Year, also known as Spring Festival or Lunar New Year, is a major celebration in China and other East Asian nations
Image: Shutterstock.com
The most widely used calendar system in today’s world is the Gregorian calendar. This means that in Britain and many other countries, New Year is heralded in on the 1st of January each year.
However, in Chinese and other East Asian cultures, this date passes with little fanfare for their New Year is tied in with the Lunisolar calendar, a dating system based on phases of the moon along with the time of the solar year.
So when is Chinese New Year? When did it originate? What is the Chinese Zodiac? We answer all your burning questions about one of China’s most important festivals.
What is Chinese New Year?
Chinese New Year, also known as Spring Festival or Lunar New Year, is a major celebration in China and other East Asian nations, as well as in countries with significant overseas Chinese populations.
It is a festival that celebrates the beginning of a new year based on the Lunisolar calendar. Traditionally a time to worship ancestors, rid the house of evil spirits, as well as gather with family to celebrate and feast.
When is Chinese New Year 2026?
Every year, Chinese New Year begins on the first new moon occurring between January and February and ends on the first full moon of the Lunisolar calendar, spanning a total of 15 days. Since the calendar is based upon phases of the moon, the exact dates of Chinese New Year vary from year to year.
In 2026, the Chinese New Year will fall between Tuesday, 17th February and Tuesday, 3rd March.
What is the origin of the Chinese New Year?
The history of Chinese New Year is said to date back some 3,500 years.
Whilst no one knows for sure exactly when Chinese New Year began, it is believed to have originated during the Shang Dynasty (1600 BC – 1045 BC). During this time, people began the tradition of carrying out various rituals on the first day of the Chinese calendar.
This holiday has ancient roots in China as an agricultural society. It was the occasion to celebrate the harvest, worship the gods, and ask for good harvests in times to come,’ says Yong Chen, a scholar in Asian American Studies.
However, like many festivals in China (and indeed across the world), origin stories are often accompanied by legends and myths. One of the most popular about Chinese New Year is about the mythical beast called Nian.
On New Year’s Eve, Nian was said to descend upon villages and feast upon their inhabitants, as well as their livestock and crops. Then one year, a wise old man worked out the beast was afraid of loud noises and the colour red.
As New Year approached every year onwards, the people began dressing in red, decorating their homes with red lanterns and setting off firecrackers to scare the creature away. Nian was never seen again.
What is the Chinese Zodiac?
Each year in the Chinese calendar is represented by one of the 12 zodiac animals. This means that every 12 years the cycle repeats itself returning to the first animal on the list.
The 12 zodiac animals in their correct order are as follows: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig.
What is the origin of the Chinese Zodiac?
Said to have been officially identified during the Han Dynasty (202 BC – 9 AD) some 2,000 years ago, no one knows exactly when the Chinese zodiac was created.
Once again we turn to myth and legend to discover more about the origins. An ancient Chinese folk story tells of a ‘Great Race’ organised by the Jade Emperor – one of the most important deities in traditional Chinese religion.
Every animal in the world was invited to take part but eventually, only 12 arrived at the starting line. The finishing line was the Heavenly Gate where they would reach the Emperor himself. The order in which they finish would determine the years on the calendar named after them.
Standing between them and the Heavenly Gate was a vast river they all had to cross. The Rat and the Ox set off first with the former hitching a ride on the latter’s back to traverse the waters. The Rat then leapt from the Ox’s back once dry land was reached, dashing to the Emperor’s feet and securing first place. Therefore the Rat is the first creature in the Chinese zodiac cycle, followed by the Ox.
What do the different animals represent?
Each animal in the Chinese zodiac has its unique characteristics and reputed attributes. Many Chinese people often associate the character traits of these animals with people born during their years.
For example, it is said that if you are born during the year of the Rat you are smart, quick-witted and resourceful. An important use of the zodiac animals in Chinese culture is to determine whether two people are romantically compatible.
Each animal also has lucky and unlucky things associated with it. For example, lucky numbers for those born in the year of the Ox are 1 and 4, whilst blue is an unlucky colour for them.
How is Chinese New Year celebrated?
Throughout the centuries since the Shang Dynasty, the customs and traditions surrounding Chinese New Year have grown and evolved.
Since 1996, people have been granted seven consecutive days off work during the Chinese New Year to mark the celebrations. In the build-up to the festivities, people give their houses a thorough clean, symbolizing the removal of bad luck as they prepare to receive the opposite.
Red is the colour of the festival and is splashed across homes and streets in a variety of ways from lanterns to tablecloths. Families gather to dine and enjoy each other’s company and exchange gifts, such as red envelopes that contain money.
Ancestors are honoured with the burning of incense, food sacrifices and visitations to graves. On the streets, dragon and lion dances erupt to bring good fortune and prosperity, whilst billions of fireworks explode during the first few minutes of Chinese New Year.
The celebrations culminate with the Lantern Festival on the last day of Chinese New Year, as people go out at night carrying glowing paper lanterns and hanging them from temples.
Chinese New Year: What You Need to Know About the Year of the Horse
The Chinese calendar assigns an animal to each year, in a cycle which repeats every 12 years. In 2026, it will be the turn of the Horse, often considered one of the most favourable signs of the Chinese zodiac. Let’s take a closer look at what is symbolises.
When is the Year of the Horse?
The Chinese New Year commences on Tuesday, 17th February 2026, and ends on Friday, 5th February 2027. February 2026 sees the transition from Year of the Dragon to the Year of the Horse, kicking off extravagant festivities all over the world.
What type of Horse is 2026?
As well as being linked to an animal, each year of the Chinese calendar has a corresponding element which is also thought to influence people born in that year.
The five elements of the zodiac are wood, fire, earth, metal and water, with fire being the element of 2026. This means we’ll be entering the Year of the Fire Horse for the first time since 1966…could this be a good omen for England in the 2026 World Cup?!
What years are the Year of the Horse?
The most recent years designated the Year of the Horse were early 2014 to 2015, early 2002 and 2003 and early 1990 to 1991. However, unlike the popularity of the Year of the Dragon, which traditionally sees a surge in births, the Year of the Horse sees a very different year.
2026 is the Year of the Fire Horse, which is viewed with deep-seated superstition in certain East Asian cultures, and particularly Japan. Therefore, birth rates are historically said to have plummeted in these years.
For instance, in 1966, the most recent Fire Horse year, the fertility rate in Japan dropped from roughly 2.0 in the 1960s to 1.6. It’s reported that there were around 500,000 fewer births compared with either the previous or following years.
The decrease was caused by couples delaying pregnancies, in part due to an old superstition. In the early Edo period (1603-1868), stories spread that women born in the Year of the Fire Horse were hot-tempered and would eat their husbands alive. Despite little evidence to support, the spurious stories were spread through puppet theatre and popular books.
While the belief isn’t as widespread today, women born in this year are still predicted to have bad luck in marriage or bring misfortune to their husbands.
What are the character traits of the Horse?
Those born in the Year of the Horse are often said to possess an infectious zest for life. Horses are known for their lively energy, sharp wit, and love of adventure, which naturally draws others to them. Independent and quick-thinking, they tend to be highly sociable and thrive in dynamic environments where there’s plenty going on.
Horses are also regarded as hardworking, adaptable and resourceful. Their enthusiasm and optimism can make them inspiring companions, and they’re often at their happiest when pursuing new experiences or chasing ambitious goals.
However, that same spirited nature can sometimes tip into impulsiveness or restlessness. Horses may grow bored easily, resist routine, or struggle with feeling tied down. Their desire for freedom can occasionally make them appear inconsistent or reluctant to commit, and they can be impatient if progress feels too slow.
The influence of the fire element may have an additional bearing on those born in 2026. It’s believed that Fire Horses amplify the Horse’s natural dynamism, bringing even greater passion, intensity and drive. They may be especially charismatic and bold, with a strong desire to stand out and take the lead. Yet that heightened energy can also make them more stubborn, hot-headed or impulsive at times, requiring balance and self-awareness to channel their considerable strengths effectively.
Is the Year of the Horse lucky?
As with all signs in the Chinese zodiac, it’s widely believed that being born in a Year of the Horse, regardless of the associated element, can shape certain fortunes and characteristics. While the Horse may not carry quite the same cultural weight as the Dragon in terms of birth-rate spikes, it is nevertheless regarded as a dynamic and promising sign.
Unlike Dragon years, which have been the subject of specific academic study in relation to educational outcomes, there is less formal research linking Horse years to measurable life advantages. However, the traits traditionally associated with the Horse, namely energy, independence, adaptability and determination, are qualities that can lend themselves well to success across many fields.
In this sense, any perceived 'luck' may stem less from superstition and more from the way these characteristics influence behaviour and opportunity. Those born in a Horse year are often encouraged to be bold, self-reliant and proactive, traits that can naturally open doors.
As with the Dragon, cultural belief can play its part. When families value and reinforce the positive qualities linked to a zodiac sign, those expectations can subtly shape confidence, ambition and outlook. In that respect, the Year of the Horse may bring good fortune not purely through fate, but through the mindset and momentum it inspires.
Where does the Horse fit within the Chinese zodiac?
The Horse is the seventh animal in the Chinese zodiac, and its position is rooted in the well-known legend of the Jade Emperor, the supreme ruler of Heaven in Chinese mythology. According to tradition, the Jade Emperor organised a race to determine the order of the zodiac animals.
The quick-witted rat claimed first place, followed by the dependable ox. The tiger came third and the rabbit fourth. The dragon arrived fifth, ahead of the snake in sixth place.
The horse was galloping strongly and appeared set for a higher finish. However, as the story goes, the snake had quietly coiled itself around the Horse’s hoof and startled it at the final moment, allowing the snake to slither ahead into sixth place. The Horse therefore crossed the line seventh.
The remaining places were taken by the goat, the monkey, the rooster, the dog, and finally the pig.
Though the Horse did not claim one of the very top spots, its energetic and determined performance in the race reflects the qualities traditionally associated with those born under its sign: drive, stamina and an enduring spirit of independence.
Which famous people were born in the Year of the Horse?
Many notable figures were born in the Year of the Horse, including celebrities such as Martin Scorsese and Paul McCartney (1942), Jackie Chan (1954), Rowan Atkinson (1955) and Emma Watson (1990), to political figures Vladimir Lenin (1870), Nelson Mandela (1918) and Joe Biden (1942).
Those born in the last year of the Fire Horse, 1966, include Gordon Ramsay, Janet Jackson and Mike Tyson.
