Chinese New Year begins on 17 February 2026 and ushers in the Year of the Fire Horse in the Chinese zodiac. Hundreds of millions of people will travel to spend time with family and friends during what is officially known in China as the Spring Festival. With a record-breaking 9.5 billion journeys predicted across land, sea and air, it remains the world’s largest annual human migration. At the same time, foreign arrivals in China are rising sharply. But what do the celebrations represent, and what can visitors expect to experience?
Lunar New Year or Spring Festival?
The terms are often used interchangeably, but they are not identical.
“Lunar New Year” is a broader expression referring to the new year celebrated according to the lunar calendar in several Asian cultures, including China, Vietnam and Korea.
In mainland China, however, the holiday is officially called the Spring Festival (Chun Jie). The name reflects the traditional solar calendar and symbolises the arrival of spring, even though winter weather often persists. Overseas Chinese communities and international media more commonly use the term Lunar New Year.
Year of the Horse or Year of the Fire Horse?
2026 marks the Year of the Horse. More precisely, it is the Year of the Fire Horse.
The Chinese zodiac features 12 animals cycling in this order: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig. Each year is also associated with one of the Five Elements: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal or Water. The combination of animal and element creates a 60 year cycle.
While 2026 is a Horse year, it is specifically governed by the element of Fire, last seen in 1966. Fire intensifies the Horse’s already energetic nature, adding dynamism, visibility and boldness.
Children born in 2026 are said to possess horse-like qualities of bravery, independence, strength and loyalty, combined with Fire’s passion and vitality. Observers also point to possible challenges such as impatience or stubbornness.
Horse zodiac chart
| Horse Year | Lunar Year Start Date | Lunar Year End Date | Element |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1930 | 30 January 1930 | 16 February 1931 | Metal |
| 1942 | 15 February 1942 | 4 February 1943 | Water |
| 1954 | 3 February 1954 | 23 January 1955 | Wood |
| 1966 | 21 January 1966 | 8 February 1967 | Fire |
| 1978 | 7 February 1978 | 27 January 1979 | Earth |
| 1990 | 27 January 1990 | 14 February 1991 | Metal |
| 2002 | 12 February 2002 | 31 January 2003 | Water |
| 2014 | 31 January 2014 | 18 February 2015 | Wood |
| 2026 | 17 February 2026 | 5 February 2027 | Fire |
| 2038 | 4 February 2038 | 23 January 2039 | Earth |
The horse personality profile
Strengths
Horse people are enthusiastic and candid. When they take up a cause, they often appear heroic, fighting passionately on behalf of the underprivileged.
They are widely liked for their natural sociability, courage and openness. Combined with eloquence and moral conviction, these qualities make Horses compelling leaders and persuasive advocates. In relationships, they are charismatic and expressive.
Notable people born in Horse years include South Africa’s first Black president Nelson Mandela, kung fu film star Jackie Chan, filmmakers Ang Lee and Martin Scorsese, actor Zoe Saldana, musician Paul McCartney, and British chef Gordon Ramsay.
Even the first man to walk on the Moon, Neil Armstrong, was born in a Horse year. Upon stepping onto the lunar surface, he famously declared: “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”
Weaknesses
Horses can lose interest when their initial passion fades. It is not fear of failure that slows them down, but boredom. This can apply equally to work and relationships.
They may also display vanity and a desire for recognition, sometimes overlooking the contributions of others, which can create tension within teams or families.
Feasting
The turning of the Lunar New Year is a time when many people visit temples to make offerings and ask for blessings and good fortune in the coming months. Family feasts are also prepared and consumed. Some believe family rows are more likely to break out on the third day of celebrations, and so reserve this day for a temple trip.
Traditionally festive cakes and puddings called gao or gou are made on the 24th day of the last lunar month and are said to symbolise the growth to come. Packets in red envelopes called hongbao or lai see are also exchanged from parents to unmarried children, providing spending money and good luck.
On day seven of the Lunar New Year (23 February), the Chinese goddess, Nuwa, is said to have created humanity, so communities celebrate a human birthday, eating traditional birthday dishes for the occasion.
Cleaning
Preparation for the festival includes a thorough cleaning of homes on the 28th day of the last lunar month, which in 2026 falls on 15 February.
This ritual sweeping is intended to remove bad luck and make space for incoming good fortune. Once the New Year begins, however, cleaning is avoided for several days to prevent symbolically sweeping away newly arrived blessings.
Red decorations
In addition, visitors to China during the New Year period can expect to see red banners strewn along streets and in front of houses. These serve more than a decorative purpose. Carrying phrases wishing good luck and prosperity written in black and gold, the banners (or fai chun or chunlian) keen Nian away. Nian is a lion-like monster with sharp horns, the body of a dog or bull, and terrible teeth, which rises from the deep annually to attack villages at New Year—but he can be warded off with the customary red banners and lanterns.
Lantern Festival
The celebrations culminate on day 15 of the lunar month with Yuan Xiao Jie, the Lantern Festival, which falls on 3 March 2026.
Marking the first full moon of the new year, the festival symbolises closure and renewal. Lanterns are lit to dispel darkness, and cities host illuminated displays and community gatherings.
Historically, it was one of the rare occasions when women were permitted to go out at night, providing opportunities to meet potential partners. For that reason, the Lantern Festival is sometimes described as China’s traditional Valentine’s Day.
Ultimately, whether referred to as Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, the celebration centres on renewal, family and hope. As the Year of the Fire Horse arrives, it symbolically brings energy, movement and ambition. For visitors, it offers a vivid cultural experience. For families across China and beyond, it remains a deeply personal opportunity to begin again, together.
