On what Gregorian date does Chinese New Year fall in 2026?
Answer
February 17
Chinese New Year falls on February 17, 2026, on the Gregorian calendar.
Chinese New Year begins on the first day of the first month of the traditional Chinese lunisolar calendar. Because that calendar tracks both lunar phases and the solar year, the festival moves through the Gregorian calendar rather than occurring on a fixed date. It generally falls between January 21 and February 20.
In 2026, the first day is Tuesday, February 17. The date begins the Year of the Horse in the traditional zodiac cycle. Chinese New Year’s Eve falls on February 16, when families traditionally gather for a reunion dinner, while the broader festival period continues through customs associated with the Lantern Festival on the 15th day.
A common mix-up is confusing the first day of Chinese New Year with other nearby dates. February 6 is the 2027 New Year date, while January 29 is associated with another year. The date can also vary by time zone and local observance, but February 17 is the standard Gregorian date for the 2026 festival.