Chinese New Year 2026: when the celebration will begin and why the date changes.

According to ТСН: Unlike the fixed Western New Year, the Chinese New Year is celebrated on different dates each year. This feature is related to the lunar-solar calendar.

When will the Chinese New Year 2026 be celebrated

In 2026, the celebration will begin on February 17, 2026. This day will mark the beginning of the 4723rd year in the Chinese calendar. Traditionally, the celebration lasts two weeks, so it will end on March 3, 2026.

Why the date of the Chinese New Year changes

The Chinese New Year (Chun Jie) is celebrated during the new moon. It occurs on the second new moon after the winter solstice (December 21, 2025). The date of the celebration is determined by the lunar-solar calendar, so it varies each year, usually falling between January 21 and February 21 depending on the cycles of the Moon and the Sun.

History of the Chinese New Year

The exact date of the first celebration of the Chinese New Year remains unknown, but some researchers trace it back to the reign of the Shang dynasty around the 14th century BC. This holiday, known as the Spring Festival, is surrounded by numerous legends and myths.

According to one ancient tale, at the beginning of each new year, the people of China had to hide from a monster named Nian, which came on the first day of the festival and destroyed settlements. Eventually, people noticed that Nian was afraid of loud noises, bright lights, and the color red, and they began to use these attributes to scare away the monster. Thus, the tradition of red decorations and fireworks during the celebration emerged.

The dragon is a symbol of power and success in Chinese culture, which is why one of the brightest parts of the holiday is the dragon dance. During these festivities, a long colorful dragon puppet parades through the streets, which always becomes the climax of the celebration.

The day before the Chinese New Year, families thoroughly clean their homes, as it is believed that this purges life of misfortune and creates space for happiness and prosperity in the coming year.

Traditions of celebrating the Chinese New Year 2026

The Chinese New Year is a holiday with deep traditions, celebrated among family. On the eve, all family members gather at the festive table, where dumplings, noodles, and fish, symbols of wealth, happiness, and farewell to the old year, are served.

Significant attention is paid to festive decorations. Doors and windows are adorned with red decorations, as this color is associated with happiness, good fortune, and longevity in Eastern culture. Homes are decorated with lanterns, paper patterns, and banners with wishes. Traditionally, money is given to children in red envelopes to attract prosperity in the new year.

One of the most vibrant parts of the celebration is street festivals accompanied by dances, songs, and spectacular parades. Some people even stay awake on the festive night to meet the arrival of the new year.

Thus, the Chinese New Year remains an important cultural holiday that brings people together and passes traditions from generation to generation. This holiday not only symbolizes new beginnings but also reminds us of the importance of family values, community, and rituals that give life special meaning.