🧧 Chinese New Year Countdown
When is Chinese New Year?
Chinese New Year falls on a different date each year — usually between January 21 and February 20 — because it's set by the Chinese lunisolar calendar, marking the second new moon after the winter solstice.
The history of Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year, also called Lunar New Year or the Spring Festival, is the most important traditional holiday in Chinese culture, dating back thousands of years to ancient harvest and religious rituals. Unlike the fixed Gregorian New Year, its date is set by the Chinese lunisolar calendar, so it moves each year and always falls on the second new moon after the winter solstice.
Celebrations traditionally last 15 days, ending with the Lantern Festival, and are marked by family reunions, red decorations for good luck, fireworks, and gifts of money in red envelopes. Each year is also associated with one of 12 zodiac animals in a repeating 12-year cycle.
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Frequently asked questions
It varies each year, falling between January 21 and February 20 depending on the lunar calendar.
Because it's set by the Chinese lunisolar calendar rather than the Gregorian calendar — it always falls on the second new moon after the winter solstice.
No — it's a widely observed occasion but not an official U.S. federal holiday, so most banks, schools and government offices stay open.
Yes — Chinese New Year falls on the same calendar date worldwide each year, since it's based on the Chinese lunisolar calendar rather than a country-specific rule.