Chinese New Year 2026
12 February 2026
Chinese New Year 2026 welcomes the Year of the Horse, a time associated with energy, freedom, and forward momentum.
This much-loved celebration – also called the Lunar New Year or Spring Festival – officially begins on Tuesday 17th February 2026. Families and communities that celebrate take part in festivities that can span up to 16 days, ending with the Lantern Festival, 3rd March 2026.
The Chinese zodiac follows a 12-year cycle, with different animals represented, each paired with one of the five elements: wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. This year, the horse joins with the fire element.
The Year of the Horse
In Chinese astrology, the Horse is a symbol of energy independence, confidence, and progress. People born under this sign are often seen as lively, optimistic, and hardworking, with a natural love of freedom and adventure.
The Horse is associated with movement and momentum, making this zodiac year ideal for embracing change, setting bold goals, and pursuing new opportunities.
You are born in the Year of the Horse if you were born in any of the following years:
1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014. 2026.
Celebrations
During this special time, those celebrating often take part in a variety of traditional customs and activities.
Homes are cleaned and adorned with red lanterns and couplets to sweep away bad luck and invite good fortune.
Traditional practices include the reunion dinner on Lunar New Year’s Eve, giving red envelopes (hongbao) for luck, and watching lion and dragon dances, alongside fireworks that bring communities together in celebration.
The lantern festival at the end of the season lights up streets with glowing lanterns and cultural festivities that delight all ages.
Whether you honour age-old customs or enjoy the festive spirit with friends and neighbours, the Year of the Horse promises a dynamic start to the year ahead – filled with colour, connection, and hope.
Major celebrations in the UK are scheduled for the weekend of February 21-22 this year, so be sure to check out local activities, workshops, and celebrations if you want to get involved.
How to Get Involved
- Attend parades and performances: Most cities and Chinese communities host organised events to celebrate the new year.
- Get crafty: Try your hand at traditional Chinese crafts such as lantern making or calligraphy workshops.
- East-Asian Cuisine: Celebrate by enjoying traditional New Year dishes such as dumplings, spring rolls, noodles, and sweet rice balls. You could visit a local Chinese restaurant, grab a takeaway, or try cooking a festive meal at home.
- Decorate your home: Hang red lanterns, red couplets, and paper cuttings to symbolise good fortune, happiness, and prosperity for the year ahead.
- Support local businesses: Visit local Asian markets or small businesses to shop for festive decorations, gifts, and ingredients.
- Give red envelopes (Hongbao): Share the tradition of gifting red envelopes with small amounts of money to wish others luck and blessings.
- Chinese Zodiac: Learn about the Chinese Zodiac animal and explore what it represents for the year ahead. Discover how it will affect your own sign – or if it happens to be your year!
A LEGO Lunar New Year
Looking for other ways to celebrate Chinese New Year?
The LEGO Lucky Cat and LEGO Lucky Bamboo playsets are fun and festive activities that can add some prosperity and traditional décor to your space.
How are you celebrating Chinese New Year 2026? Share your traditions and new year celebrations with the B&M community over on Facebook, X, and Instagram.
