What you need to know about Chinese New Year
Understanding Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year, also known as Spring Festival, is the most important holiday in China and many other Asian countries.
It marks the beginning of a new year according to the lunar calendar. The date changes every year, depending on the moon's cycle. This year, Chinese New Year will begin on February 17, 2026, and end on February 5, 2027. Traditionally, the festivities last a fortnight. This year's Chinese New Year celebrations will last from February 16 to March 3, 2026. Important Chinese New Year dates include the Little Year, New Year's Eve, Chinese New Year's Day and the Lantern Festival, the closing ceremony of the festivities.
Chinese New Year is above all a family celebration. People get together, share a big meal and wish each other health and prosperity for the coming year.
How do you prepare for Chinese New Year?
Preparations begin several days beforehand with a major clean-up. The house is cleaned from top to bottom. This symbolizes the sweeping away of last year's bad luck to make way for good fortune.
Then the houses are decorated with red lanterns, paper cut-outs and greetings. Everything must evoke prosperity and happiness. Red is the color of happiness and good fortune; lanterns symbolize light and hope; and red envelopes, called hongbao, are given with money to bring good luck.
Then it's time to prepare the New Year's Eve meal. New Year's dinner is a key moment. Every dish has a meaning:
- Ravioli symbolize wealth
- The fish represents abundance
- Sweet treats herald a harmonious year
2026: the year of the Fire Horse
The Chinese zodiac was born of ancient myths and classical texts. It tells the story of the 12 animals and their relationship with time, the universe and human destiny.
The zodiac at the heart of the New Year
Every year, the Chinese New Year celebrates an animal. This symbolic system links the celestial cycles to daily life and the major stages of life. Each year is associated with an animal and an element.
Each sign represents a particular energy. Together, they form a cycle that reflects the balance between Heaven, Earth and human beings.
In 2026, we enter the Year of the Fire Horse. In Chinese astrology, the Horse is a sign associated with energy, independence, freedom and movement.
Fire reinforces the idea of passion, daring and creativity.
The Fire Horse symbolizes an intense year. A year of impetus, initiative and renewal. It's an ideal time to dare, launch new projects and follow your desires.
A celebration of sharing
Chinese New Year is a celebration of light, family and good food. It's the perfect opportunity to discover or rediscover Asian-inspired sweets like mochi, a symbol of tradition and conviviality.
In 2026, may the energy of the Fire Horse inspire a year full of flavor and daring projects!
