When is Chinese New Year?

The date varies each year because it follows the lunisolar calendar, always falling on the new moon between about January 21 and February 20.

Why does the date of Chinese New Year change every year?

It is set by the traditional lunisolar calendar, which tracks the moon's phases, so it does not align with a fixed Gregorian date the way January 1 does.

What is the significance of the color red?

Red symbolizes good fortune and joy and is believed to ward off evil. It appears in decorations, clothing, and the money-filled envelopes given during the festival.

🧧 Days Until Chinese New Year

There are

days until Chinese New Year (January 29)

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About Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival or Lunar New Year, is the most important traditional holiday in China and is celebrated by Chinese communities worldwide. The date varies each year based on the lunar calendar, typically falling between January 21 and February 20. Celebrations last 15 days and include family reunions, feasting, giving red envelopes (hongbao) with money, dragon and lion dances, fireworks, and lantern festivals. Each year is associated with one of 12 zodiac animals. The holiday is also widely celebrated in Vietnam (Tết), Korea (Seollal), and other East Asian countries.

How to prepare for Chinese New Year

Deep-clean your home before New Year's Day — this tradition symbolizes sweeping away bad luck. Prepare red envelopes (hongbao) with crisp new bills for children and unmarried relatives. Stock up on traditional foods: dumplings, fish, spring rolls, and rice cakes all carry symbolic meaning. Decorate with red lanterns, paper cuttings, and couplets. Check Chinatown event listings for lion dances, lantern festivals, and night markets. Wear red or gold clothing on New Year's Day for good fortune.

Traditions and customs

Chinese New Year, or the Spring Festival, is China's most important holiday and follows the lunisolar calendar, so its date shifts each year between January 21 and February 20. The 15-day celebration centers on family reunion dinners, red envelopes (hóngbāo) of money, lion and dragon dances, fireworks to scare off the mythical beast Nian, and thorough house-cleaning to sweep away bad luck. It concludes with the Lantern Festival, and each year carries one of the twelve zodiac animals.

Frequently asked questions

When is Chinese New Year?: The date varies each year because it follows the lunisolar calendar, always falling on the new moon between about January 21 and February 20.
Why does the date of Chinese New Year change every year?: It is set by the traditional lunisolar calendar, which tracks the moon's phases, so it does not align with a fixed Gregorian date the way January 1 does.
What is the significance of the color red?: Red symbolizes good fortune and joy and is believed to ward off evil. It appears in decorations, clothing, and the money-filled envelopes given during the festival.

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