Holiday overview
Lunar New Year
Lunar New Year marks the start of the lunisolar calendar and is celebrated across China, Korea, and other Asian cultures.
About this holiday
Lunar New Year is the most important traditional holiday across East Asia. Known as the Spring Festival (春节) in China and Seollal (설날) in Korea, it begins on the first new moon of the lunar calendar, typically between late January and mid-February. Celebrations include family reunions, feasting, ancestor rites, red envelopes (hongbao), and cultural performances. In China it triggers the world's largest annual human migration (Chunyun); in Korea families perform sebae (ancestral bows) and eat tteokguk (rice cake soup).
History
The Chinese New Year tradition dates back over 3,000 years to the Shang Dynasty. The festival was originally a ceremonial day to pray to gods and ancestors for a good harvest. The custom of celebrating the lunar new year with family reunions, special foods, and red decorations has been passed down through generations and was officially designated as the Spring Festival in 1912.
Traditions
- Family reunion dinners (年夜饭)
- Red envelope gifts (红包)
- Lion and dragon dances
- Firecrackers and fireworks
- Spring couplets and red decorations
- Watching the CCTV Spring Festival Gala
Where and when this holiday appears
| Date | Weekday | Countries |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday |  South Korea | |
| Wednesday |  China Philippines SingaporeSouth Korea | |
| Thursday | SingaporeSouth Korea | |
| Sunday | China | |
| Monday | South Korea | |
| Tuesday | ChinaPhilippinesSingaporeSouth Korea | |
| Wednesday | SingaporeSouth Korea | |
| Saturday | ChinaPhilippinesSingaporeSouth Korea | |
| Monday | SingaporeSouth Korea | |
| Tuesday | South Korea |
Related holidays
Frequently asked questions
When is Chinese New Year in 2026?
Chinese New Year 2026 falls on February 17. The public holiday in China typically spans 7 days including adjusted weekends.
Is Chinese New Year a public holiday in China?
Yes, Chinese New Year (Spring Festival) is the longest and most important public holiday in China, usually 7 days.