Lunar New Year Dates 2026–2040
Every Lunar New Year date from 2026 to 2040 with weekday and zodiac animal, why the date moves each year, and how the 60-year cycle works.
Lunar New Year 2026 falls on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, beginning the Year of the Horse. The festival follows the lunisolar Chinese calendar, so the Gregorian date shifts every year — anywhere between January 21 and February 20. From today, the next Lunar New Year is 97 days away.
Lunar New Year dates and zodiac animals, 2026–2040
| Year | Date | Weekday |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | February 17, 2026 | Tuesday |
| 2027 | February 6, 2027 | Saturday |
| 2028 | January 26, 2028 | Wednesday |
| 2029 | February 13, 2029 | Tuesday |
| 2030 | February 3, 2030 | Sunday |
| 2031 | January 23, 2031 | Thursday |
| 2032 | February 11, 2032 | Wednesday |
| 2033 | January 31, 2033 | Monday |
| 2034 | February 19, 2034 | Sunday |
| 2035 | February 8, 2035 | Thursday |
| 2036 | January 28, 2036 | Monday |
| 2037 | February 15, 2037 | Sunday |
| 2038 | February 4, 2038 | Thursday |
| 2039 | January 24, 2039 | Monday |
| 2040 | February 12, 2040 | Sunday |
Why the date moves every year
The Chinese calendar is lunisolar: months begin on the new moon, so a lunar year of 12 months lasts about 354 days — roughly 11 days short of the Gregorian year. To stay aligned with the seasons, a 13th leap month is inserted about every third year. Without it, Lunar New Year would drift through the entire Gregorian calendar in about 32 years; with it, the festival stays anchored to late January or February.
The 60-year zodiac cycle
Each year pairs one of 12 animals with one of five elements (wood, fire, earth, metal, water), producing a 60-year cycle. 2026 is the Year of the Fire Horse; 2027 the Fire Goat. People born in a given animal's years are said to share its traits — the cycle repeats exactly every 60 years, so 2026's Fire Horse last occurred in 1966.
How it is celebrated
- China, Vietnam (Tết), Korea (Seollal), Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia observe public holidays of up to a week
- Family reunion dinner on New Year's Eve, red envelopes (hongbao) of lucky money, and fireworks at midnight
- The festival ends with the Lantern Festival on the 15th day — the first full moon of the lunar year
See the live Lunar New Year countdown for the days remaining, and current time in Beijing or Hong Kong for the celebration clock.
Frequently asked questions
When is Lunar New Year 2027?
Lunar New Year 2027 falls on February 6, 2027, beginning the Year of the Goat.
Why does Lunar New Year change date every year?
The Chinese calendar tracks the moon: each month starts at a new moon, making the lunar year about 11 days shorter than the Gregorian year. A leap month added roughly every three years keeps the festival in late January or February.
What is the Lantern Festival?
The festival closes the 15-day New Year celebration, on the night of the first full moon of the lunar year.