When is Chinese New Year (Lunar New Year)?
Lunar New Year falls on the second new moon after the winter solstice, between January 21 and February 20. In 2026 it falls on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, and in 2027 it's on Saturday, February 6, 2027. When this page was last updated, on October 12, 2026, there were 117 days to go, which is about 16 weeks and 5 days. The counter at the top keeps ticking down in real time on your device, so it's always current.
| Year | Date | Day of the week |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | February 17 | Tuesday |
| 2027 | February 6 | Saturday |
A little history
Lunar New Year is the most important holiday in China and is also celebrated in Vietnam (Tết), Korea (Seollal) and by communities worldwide. 2026 is the Year of the Horse, and 2027 is the Year of the Goat.
How people celebrate
Families gather for a big reunion dinner on New Year's Eve, kids get red envelopes with money, and houses get decorated in red to scare away bad luck. Dumplings, fish and sticky rice cakes are lucky foods. You're not supposed to sweep on New Year's Day; you'd be sweeping away your luck.
Closures and practical notes
The holiday sets off the world's largest annual human migration, as hundreds of millions of people travel home in China. Celebrations end with the Lantern Festival about two weeks later.
Planning tips
Because the date depends on a religious or lunar calendar, it moves around from year to year, and the exact day can change by one depending on where you live and on local announcements. Treat the dates here as a solid guide, and check with your local community for the final word.
If you're celebrating with family, book travel early. If you're not celebrating but have friends, neighbors or coworkers who are, a quick greeting or simply not scheduling a big meeting that day is a thoughtful touch.
How the countdown works
We count full calendar days from today's date to the holiday, using the clock on your own phone or computer, so it matches your local time zone. On the day itself the counter switches to the next year's date. Want to count to a birthday or deadline instead? Our days until any date page does that in one tap.
Frequently asked questions
When is Chinese New Year (Lunar New Year) 2027?
Saturday, February 6, 2027.
What day of the week is Chinese New Year (Lunar New Year) in 2027?
It's a Saturday (February 6, 2027).
What animal is 2027 in the Chinese zodiac?
2027 is the Year of the Goat (sometimes called the Sheep), starting February 6, 2027.