When Is Lunar New Year 2026? Key Dates, Traditions, and How To Celebrate
Lunar New Year 2026 begins on February 17, ushering in the Year of the Red Horse. Celebrated globally, the 15-day festival includes traditional lion dances, red envelope exchanges, and symbolic family feasts. This guide covers the zodiac significance, key dates, and customs like house cleaning and the final Lantern Festival on March 3.
Beijing, February 10: Millions of people around the world are preparing to celebrate Lunar New Year 2026. This year marks the transition from the Year of the Snake to the Year of the Horse, an event that officially concludes the 15-day festival cycle on March 3 with the Lantern Festival. The holiday, central to many East Asian cultures, is defined by the lunar calendar and remains one of the largest annual human migrations as families travel to reunite for traditional dinners.
In cities across the globe, the 2026 celebrations emphasize both cultural heritage and community engagement. Local festivities often include dragon and lion dances, which are symbolic performances meant to bring good luck and drive away evil spirits for the coming year. While the date changes annually based on the phases of the moon, the core themes of renewal, prosperity, and family remain constant. What Day is Today, February 10 in Valentine's Week 2026?
When Is Lunar New Year 2026?
Lunar New Year is a widely celebrated holiday across Asia, marking the start of a new year based on a lunar or lunisolar calendar. This year it falls on Tuesday, February 17, 2026.
Lunar New Year 2026: The Significance of the Red Horse
According to the Chinese Zodiac, 2026 is the Year of the Horse, specifically associated with the element of Fire, leading to the designation "Red Horse." In traditional astrology, the Horse represents energy, independence, and a drive for success. Mahashivratri 2026: Date, Shubh Muhurat, Puja Timings, Nishita Kaal and Vrat Vidhi.
Those born under this sign are often characterized as animated and active. The combination of the Horse’s traits with the Fire element suggests that 2026 will be a year defined by rapid movement, passion, and significant social or personal transitions.
Traditional Customs and Rituals: How to Celebrate
Preparations for the Lunar New Year typically begin days in advance with "house cleaning," a ritual intended to sweep away the bad luck of the previous year. Once the new year arrives, cleaning is traditionally paused to avoid "washing away" any incoming good fortune.
A cornerstone of the holiday is the exchange of red envelopes, known as hongbao or li si. These envelopes contain money and are given by elders to children and unmarried young adults. The red color is believed to symbolize energy and happiness while offering protection against bad luck.
Symbolic Foods and Festivities
Food plays a vital role in Lunar New Year celebrations, with specific dishes chosen for their symbolic meanings. Dumplings are frequently served because their shape resembles ancient currency, symbolising wealth. Other traditional items include fish, which represents surplus or abundance, and long noodles, which signify a wish for a long and healthy life. In many regions, families gather for a "reunion dinner" on the eve of the new year, considered the most important meal of the festival.
The festival concludes two weeks after it begins with the Lantern Festival. During this finale, people hang colorful lanterns and enjoy sweet rice balls, marking the first full moon of the new year and the official end of the holiday period.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 10, 2026 08:17 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).