Chinese New Year 2026: what kind of holiday is it and when is it celebrated
Chinese New Year is one of the main traditional holidays in East Asia, which is associated not with the Gregorian calendar, but with the Chinese lunar and solar calendar. Therefore, its date changes every year: the beginning of the new year is counted by the new moon, and as a result, the holiday falls at the end of January or February. At this time in China, it is customary for families to gather, decorate houses, exchange wishes and gifts. Izvestia tells us what this holiday means, when it will come in 2026, and what traditions are associated with it.
What kind of holiday is Chinese New Year?
Chinese New Year is the traditional beginning of the new year according to the Chinese calendar, which refers to the lunar and solar systems. In Russia, the name "Chinese New Year" is most often used, but in China itself the official name Chunjie, or "Spring Festival" is widely used.
The meaning of the name is connected with the idea of ending the winter period and moving to a new seasonal cycle, which has historically been significant for an agrarian country. The holiday unites the traditions of home celebrations, respect for elders, exchange of symbolic gifts and participation in public festivities.
When is Chinese New Year in 2026
In 2026, the Chinese New Year will come on February 17th. The reason for the "floating" date is that the Chinese calendar takes into account the lunar months and the reference to the solar seasons. New Year falls on the second new moon after the winter solstice, so in the Gregorian calendar it falls in the range approximately between January 21 and February 20.
Traditionally, the festive period stretches for about two weeks and ends with the Lantern Festival, which falls on the 15th day of the first lunar month and is celebrated on March 3 in 2026.
The history of the holiday
Chinese New Year, or Chunjie (Spring Festival), is one of the most ancient holidays in the world. Its origins date back to the era of the Shang Dynasty (approximately XVI–XI centuries BC), when at the end of the agricultural cycle, people made sacrifices to the gods and ancestors in gratitude for the harvest. People gathered together, glorified the spirits of nature and celebrated the completion of the old cycle to open the way to a new one.
Over time, the holiday began to be associated with the expectation of spring and the renewal of nature. Already during the Zhou Dynasty (XI–III centuries BC), the New Year began to be celebrated in the first month of the lunar calendar, and during the Han Dynasty (206 BC — 220 AD), the main traditions of the celebration took shape.: family dinners, ancestor worship rituals, cleaning the house and launching fireworks have become mandatory elements.
One of the most famous legends explaining the origin of many customs is associated with a monster named Nian. According to legend, on New Year's Eve, the terrible beast Nian descended from the mountains and attacked villages, devouring livestock, crops and people. The villagers hid in fear, until one day a wise elder revealed to them a secret: The Nanny is afraid of red, loud noises and fire. Since then, people have been decorating houses with red scrolls and lanterns, lighting firecrackers and bamboo to scare away the monster.
In ancient times, Chunjie was primarily an agrarian holiday: peasants completed hard work, thanked the gods and prepared for the new season. With the advent of Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism, elements of ancestor worship, prayers for family well-being, and reverence for heavenly spirits were added to rituals. Red has become a symbol of protection from evil and attracting happiness, and a family dinner on New Year's Eve is the most important moment of unity between generations.
Today, Chinese New Year symbolizes renewal, hope and the beginning of a new cycle of life, which is why it is called the Spring Festival, even if it falls in winter.
How to celebrate Chinese New Year
Preparations for the Chinese New Year begin in a few weeks and are an important part of the holiday. The houses are undergoing general cleaning, a symbolic banishment of the failures and negativity of the past year. After that, the space is decorated in such a way as to emphasize the "new beginning" and attract good luck: paired red scrolls with good wishes (duilan) are hung on both sides of the entrance, red lanterns are placed, tangerines and oranges are placed, symbolizing wealth, as well as figurines of animals of the year.
New Year's Eve evening is the main family event. Relatives gather for a big dinner, which is considered the culmination of the whole holiday. There must be jiaozi dumplings, long longevity noodles, fish, chicken or duck, sticky nyangao rice cake and sweets on the table.
A special place is occupied by the tradition of giving red envelopes with money (hongbao). They are given by elders to those who are younger in age or position: parents to children, grandparents to grandchildren, bosses to subordinates. Handing over the red envelope is a sign of attention and blessing.
Major lantern festivals are one of the most recognizable symbols of the holiday. They begin before the New Year and reach their peak on the night of the 15th day. Thousands of paper lanterns of various shapes and colors are lit in towns and villages, colorful processions are held with lion and dragon dances, sky lanterns are launched and wishes are made. Such festivals symbolize the end of the festive period and farewell to winter.
The symbol of the year according to the Chinese calendar
Closely related to the Chinese New Year is the system of symbols of the year, known as the "Chinese zodiac". It is based on a 12-year cycle, where each year is associated with one of 12 animals: A Rat, a Bull, a Tiger, a Rabbit, a Dragon, a Snake, a Horse, a Goat, a Monkey, a Rooster, a Dog and a Pig. These animals follow a strict sequence, and the cycle repeats every 12 years. Each animal gives its own character traits to the year, such as energy, wisdom, or luck, and is often used in holiday decorations, souvenirs, and city events to emphasize the theme of the year.
In addition to animals, the traditional Chinese calendar uses five natural elements — Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water. Each element is combined with an animal, creating a unique combination. Since there are five elements and twelve animals, the full cycle of all possible combinations is 60 years (12 animals × 5 elements = 60). Therefore, the same "type of year", for example, the Fiery Horse, repeats once every 60 years. The year 2026 in this system corresponds to the year of the Fiery Horse.
Chinese New Year — a day off or not in Russia
In Russia, Chinese New Year is not an official non-working holiday. The list of non-working holidays is established by the Labor Code of the Russian Federation, and Chunjie is not included in this list. However, major cities will host themed festivals, concerts, exhibitions, and other cultural events during this period. In China, in 2026, the official weekend dedicated to the celebration of the Chinese New Year will be nine days — from February 15 to February 23.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
