When is Chinese New Year?
Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, falls on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, marking the start of the Year of the Fire Horse. In the traditional Chinese calendar, this date corresponds to the first day of the first month. Chinese New Year fell on January 29, 2025 last year and will fall on February 6, 2027 next year.
Why does Chinese New Year change every year?
Chinese New Year changes every year because it uses a lunisolar calendar. Months follow the lunar phases and last about 29 to 30 days, while a leap month is added every few years to stay aligned with the seasons. As a result, the holiday typically falls on a new moon between late January and mid-February.
How long does Chinese New Year last?
Chinese New Year traditionally lasts 15 days, beginning on New Year’s Day and ending with the Lantern Festival. Each day has its own customs and symbolism, from honoring ancestors to family reunions and visiting friends. While the festival spans two weeks, the most important celebrations occur in the first few days.
What Zodiac Year is 2026?
2026 is the Year of the Horse in Chinese zodiac, which follows a 12-year cycle repeating the same animals. The zodiac year does not start on January 1, but begins on Chinese New Year, which usually falls between late January and mid-February. People born before that date are still considered part of the previous zodiac year.
When is Mid-Autumn Festival?
The Mid-Autumn Festival falls on Friday, September 25, 2026. It is celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth month in the Chinese calendar, when the moon is traditionally believed to be at its brightest and fullest of the year. This date typically corresponds to September or early October in the Gregorian calendar.
Is Chinese New Year the same as Lunar New Year?
Chinese New Year refers to the Spring Festival which originated in China, while Lunar New Year is a broader and more inclusive term for new year festivals in several Asian cultures that follow similar traditions. While “lunar” is commonly used, it is technically inaccurate because these holidays are based on lunisolar calendars.
What is my Chinese birthday?
Your Chinese calendar date of birth is the date that corresponds to your Gregorian date of birth. Because the two calendars don’t align, people born on different days may share the same Chinese birthday. To find yours, open the calendar and select your date of birth—your Chinese birthday will appear on the right.
Is this calendar accurate for old dates?
This calendar uses the open-source lunar-javascript algorithm and is generally reliable for modern dates, though results may slightly vary for very old periods due to historical and regional differences. If you’re researching a specific ancient date, it’s a good idea to cross-check with a scholarly source.