When is Chinese New Year?
Chinese New Year, also called the Spring Festival, falls on a different date each year, between late January and mid-February, because it follows the traditional lunar calendar. It marks the first new moon of the lunar year and the start of a new animal in the Chinese zodiac. This countdown works out the next date for you and updates every second.
The Spring Festival
Chinese New Year is the most important holiday in China and is celebrated across much of Asia and by communities worldwide. Families gather for a reunion dinner, homes are decorated in red for luck, and the festivities - including lantern displays and lion dances - last about 15 days, ending with the Lantern Festival.
Frequently asked questions
When is Chinese New Year?
Chinese New Year falls between January 21 and February 20, on a different day each year, because it is set by the lunar calendar. The countdown above always shows the days until the next one.
Why does the date of Chinese New Year change every year?
It changes because the Chinese calendar is lunar: the new year begins on the second new moon after the winter solstice. Since the moon's cycle does not line up with the solar calendar, the date shifts each year.
How many days are left until Chinese New Year?
The live countdown above shows the exact number of days, hours, minutes and seconds until the next Chinese New Year, and it rolls over to the following year automatically.