China calendar countdown
Lunar New Year is getting closer.
Lunar New Year begins on the 1st day of the 1st month in the traditional Chinese calendar. The date changes each year on the Gregorian calendar.
Dates for 2026 to 2028 are listed below
Lunar New Year in China
This countdown marks the first day of the lunar year. Official public holiday periods and make-up workdays are announced separately and can change each year.
About Lunar New Year in China
Also called the Spring Festival, this is China's most important family celebration. Households clean their homes, share a reunion dinner on New Year's Eve and give red envelopes containing money. Each year is linked to one of twelve zodiac animals, and festivities close with the Lantern Festival on the fifteenth day. The travel rush around it is often described as the largest annual human migration.
When is Lunar New Year in China?
It starts on the new moon falling between 21 January and 20 February, giving 17 February 2026, 6 February 2027 and 26 January 2028.
| Calendar | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 |
|---|---|---|---|
| China | Tuesday 17 February 2026 | Saturday 6 February 2027 | Wednesday 26 January 2028 |
Planning around Lunar New Year
Book trains, flights and accommodation as early as booking windows allow, and shop for supplies beforehand, since many businesses close for days and deliveries slow noticeably. Work out shifts and childcare cover with the free shift planner, or browse every holiday countdown.
Lunar New Year questions
How many days until Lunar New Year in China?
The live counter at the top of this page shows the days, hours, minutes and seconds left until the next Lunar New Year in China, using the time zone you choose. The dates for 2026 to 2028 are in the table above.
When is Lunar New Year in 2027 in China?
Lunar New Year falls on Saturday 6 February 2027 in China.
Which zodiac animal years fall in 2026 to 2028?
The Year of the Horse begins in 2026, followed by the Goat, also called the Sheep, in 2027 and the Monkey in 2028. Each zodiac year starts on the Lunar New Year date rather than on 1 January.