Kicking off on Tuesday, 17 February 2026, the Lunar New Year festival spans up to 16 days and celebrates the arrival of spring and the beginning of a new year on the lunisolar calendar. This period marks the Year of the Horse, which will be observed until 5 February 2027.
Lunar New Year is the most important holiday in China, and it’s also widely celebrated in South Korea, Vietnam, and countries with a significant overseas Chinese population. While the official dates encompassing the holiday vary by culture, it is a time for families to come together for cultural traditions, prepare for the good fortune to come, and, of course, enjoy great food.
Why do we say Lunar New Year instead of Chinese New Year?
Referring to the holidays as Lunar New Year is preferred because it is more inclusive of other Asian New Year celebrations. Different countries have their own name for the new year – in China, it is called Chūn jié; in Vietnam, it is known as Tết; in Korea, it is Seollal; and in Tibet, it is referred to as Losar.
Lunar New Year foods and traditions
Different cultures celebrate the Lunar New Year with various foods and traditions symbolising prosperity, abundance and togetherness. Some households are deep-cleaned to remove any ominous spirits that may have been collected during the old year, and cleaning allows space for goodwill and good luck. Some hold rituals to offer food and paper icons to ancestors while others hang red paper and banners with calligraphy messages of good health and fortune inside and outside homes. The colour red is a symbol of good luck and people will often wear red clothes. Parents give their children red envelopes filled with money during the holiday as well. Foods made from rice are commonly eaten, like rice cakes, noodles and dumplings as these foods represent togetherness.
Interesting facts about The Year of the Horse
According to Chinese Astrology, Horse is confident, agreeable and responsible, although they dislike being reigned in by others. Let’s learn more about the Year of the Horse with these interesting facts:
- The Horse is traditionally associated with energy, confidence, creativity, playfulness and adventure. In 2026, the year is specifically the year of the Fire Horse – the Fire element adding warmth, enthusiasm and imagination. Those born in the Year of the Horse are said to be spirited, curious and full of bright ideas.
- Some famous people born in the Year of the Horse include Nelson Mandela, Isaac Newton, Stephen Hawking, Paul McCartney, Jackie Chan, Emma Watson, Denzel Washington and Gordon Ramsay.
- In Feng Shui, the Horse embodies vibrant, fast‑moving energy, so the key is channelling its passion without letting it tip into chaos. Clearing clutter encourages smooth flow, adding fiery tones (like red) restores balance, and incorporating horse imagery supports momentum and advancement. The year invites courageous action, but it’s best paired with steady grounding and steering clear of overly risky pursuits.
- The best-suited professions for those born in the Year of the Horse include entrepreneurship, arts, entertainment, sales (insurance or HR), management, as well as hands-on equestrian careers such as veterinary medicine and horse training.
Happy Lunar New Year from all of us at WorldStrides!
