Chinese New Year Dates

By the BotsBox editorial team. Updated November 5, 2026. Cultural tradition, not prediction.

Chinese New Year, also called the Spring Festival or Lunar New Year, falls on a different date every year because it follows the lunar calendar. It is always between 21 January and 20 February. Here are the next dates, followed by the full list from 1900 to 2100.

Chinese New Year dates 2024 to 2035

Why the date changes

A lunar month lasts about 29.5 days, so twelve months are about 11 days shorter than a solar year. The Chinese calendar fixes this by adding a leap month roughly every three years. The new year begins on the new moon that is normally the second after the winter solstice, which is why it keeps landing between late January and mid February. When a leap month comes before it, as in 2034, the new year moves a month later.

The 15 days of the festival

Traditionally the festival lasts 15 days, from New Year’s Day to the Lantern Festival. New Year’s Eve is the day for the family reunion dinner, and the first days are for visiting relatives, giving red envelopes and wishing good fortune. The Lantern Festival on the fifteenth day closes the season with lanterns and sweet rice dumplings. In 2027 the Lantern Festival is on 20 February 2027.

Which animal starts on that date?

The animal changes on the new year, not on 1 January. The list below shows the animal that begins on each date. For the full year chart with end dates, see Chinese zodiac years, or find your own sign with the calculator.

Chinese New Year dates from 1900 to 2100

Frequently asked questions

When is Chinese New Year 2027?

Chinese New Year 2027 is on Saturday, 6 February 2027. It begins the Year of the Fire Goat.

When is Chinese New Year 2026?

Chinese New Year 2026 was on Tuesday, 17 February 2026. It began the Year of the Fire Horse.

Why does the date of Chinese New Year change every year?

It follows the lunar calendar. The new year starts on the new moon that is usually the second after the winter solstice, so it falls on a different Gregorian date every year, always between 21 January and 20 February.

Is Chinese New Year the same as Lunar New Year?

Largely yes. Lunar New Year is the broader name, used for the same festival in countries such as Vietnam and Korea, which have their own traditions and sometimes different animals.

How long does the Chinese New Year festival last?

Traditionally 15 days, from New Year’s Day to the Lantern Festival. In 2027 that is 6 February 2027 to 20 February 2027.

How are these dates calculated?

From astronomy: the moments of the new moon and the sun’s position, counted in China Standard Time. We checked the results against 65 independently known dates, and they all matched.