Chinese New Year 2026
Chinese New Year — the Spring Festival (春节) — falls on Tuesday February 17, 2026, ushering in the Year of the Fire Horse (丙午年). The holiday break is nine days, from Sunday February 15 to Monday February 23 — the longest Spring Festival holiday on record. Make-up workdays fall on Saturday February 14 and Saturday February 28. The Lantern Festival (元宵节) is on Tuesday March 3.
Dates in 2026
| Date | Day | Holiday | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 15 – 23 | Sunday – | Spring Festival (Chinese New Year)9 days off. Chinese New Year's Day falls on Feb 17.Public holiday | Public holiday |
Year of the Fire Horse traditions
2026 is the Year of the Fire Horse (Bing Wu, 丙午) in the Chinese zodiac — associated with energy, ambition and forward momentum. Spring Festival customs include family reunion dinners on New Year’s Eve (Feb 16), red envelopes (hongbao), firecrackers, temple fairs and lion dances. Many people wear red for good luck and decorate homes with horse-themed paper cuttings.
Expect the heaviest travel rush of the year — chunyun (春运) — as hundreds of millions return to hometowns. Book trains and flights early. The Lantern Festival on March 3 marks the end of the New Year period with tangyuan rice balls and lantern displays.
Official sources & data
- China's public holidays for 2026 (State Council)Visit sourceThe State Council of the PRC
- China 2026 Public Holiday ScheduleVisit sourceChina Briefing
Frequently asked questions
When is Chinese New Year 2026?+
Tuesday February 17, 2026 — the first day of the lunar new year. The public holiday runs February 15–23 (9 days).
How long is the Spring Festival holiday in 2026?+
Nine days: February 15–23, 2026 — the longest Spring Festival break on record, built with make-up workdays on Feb 14 and Feb 28.
What are the make-up workdays for Spring Festival 2026?+
Saturday February 14 and Saturday February 28, 2026. You work those two weekend days to extend the break to nine consecutive days off.
What zodiac year is 2026?+
The Year of the Fire Horse (Bing Wu, 丙午年) — the horse combined with the fire element in the 60-year sexagenary cycle.
When is the Lantern Festival 2026?+
Tuesday March 3, 2026 — the 15th day of the first lunar month, marking the end of the New Year celebrations with tangyuan and lantern displays.