Chinese New Year in 2026

January 29, 2026

Coinciding with the Spring Festival, Chinese New Year is determined according to the Chinese calendar, which is a lunar calendar. The date, which always falls between January 21 and February 19, therefore changes every year. The festivities last eight days.
New Year's Day, also known as the "Day of the Rooster" or "the start of the first morning," marks the beginning of the New Year celebrations. The evening before, a large meal brings the whole family together.

Each year is associated with a sign of the Chinese zodiac, of which there are twelve: rat, ox (or buffalo), tiger, rabbit (or hare, and cat for the Vietnamese), dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog, pig. Each year is also associated with one of the five elements: metal, water, wood, fire, earth.

What year is it in the Chinese calendar?

In the Chinese calendar, the year 2025 corresponds to the year 4723. This calendar is based on lunar and solar cycles, and each year is associated with an animal and an element according to the cycle of the twelve zodiac signs and the five elements.

Which animal represents the year 2025?

In 2026, the year will be under the sign of the Snake, associated with the Wood element. The Snake symbolizes wisdom, reflection and intuition in the Chinese zodiac. Combined with Wood, it represents growth, creativity and harmony, shaping the energies of this particular year.

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