Chinese New Year 2026: where to celebrate the holiday and what colors will bring good luck

On February 17, 2026, the year of the Fiery Horse begins according to the Eastern calendar, which will last 15 days, until the Lantern Festival on March 4, and will become one of the most dynamic periods in the 12-year cycle. Millions of people around the world are preparing to celebrate this holiday by choosing the right places to celebrate and making up their wardrobe in happy colors. All the details are in the Izvestia article.

Chinese New Year 2026: where to celebrate the holiday in Russia and the world

Traditionally, the largest celebrations take place in Beijing, where ancient rituals are held in the Temple of Heaven, and in Shanghai with its famous Bund. In 2026, it is expected that more than 300 million people will take part in the celebrations in China alone. Special programs are organized for tourists to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of the holiday.

In Russia, the main events will be held in Moscow on the territory of Sokolniki Park and at the venues of cultural festivals in St. Petersburg. The Chinatowns of the European capitals of London, Paris and Berlin are also preparing festivals with traditional lion and dragon dances. For those who want to avoid mass gatherings of people, there are specialized tours to rural areas of China, where authentic traditions have been preserved.

Preparing for the Chinese New Year 2026: traditions and rituals

A week before the holiday, a thorough cleaning of the house begins, symbolizing getting rid of the old baggage of problems. On the evening of February 16, each family gathers for a gala dinner, where the obligatory dishes are fish as a symbol of abundance and dumplings in the form of gold bars. Special attention is paid to the table setting: there must be an even number of dishes on it.

In the first minutes of the new year, it is customary to set off fireworks and detonate firecrackers to scare away evil spirits. On the morning of February 17, the children congratulate their older relatives with the traditional greeting "Gongxi fatsai" and receive red "hongbao" envelopes. Over the next 15 days, they visit relatives, give gifts and decorate houses with paper scrolls with wishes for well-being.

Colors of Good Luck and Prosperity for Chinese New Year 2026

The dominant color of the holiday remains red in all its shades — from scarlet to garnet. According to beliefs, this color scares away the mythical monster Nian and brings good luck. In clothing, it is recommended to combine red with gold, symbolizing wealth and prosperity. The interior traditionally uses a combination of red, gold and emerald green colors. Accents of orange and pink are allowed, especially in table decor and textiles. The predominance of black and white colors, which are associated with mourning, should be avoided.

Festive wardrobe and accessories for the celebration of the Year of the Fiery Horse

Sheath dresses or sets with red and burgundy maxi skirts will be the best choice for women. Men are recommended to wear classic cut suits with accent details, such as gold buttons or embroidery of a traditional pattern. Shoes should be closed and with low heels, preferably made of genuine leather.

Accessories play an important role. Jewelry made of yellow gold with stones of warm shades — rubies, garnets and citrines — will enhance positive energy. Red bags and purses attract financial well-being. Geometric ornaments and stylized images of a horse are considered the most favorable among the patterns.

Gifts for the Chinese New Year 2026: what they give in the year of the Fiery Horse

When choosing gifts, you should focus on practical red things or their packaging. Tea sets with the symbols of the year, red envelopes for cash gifts, horse figurines made of jade or ceramics, incense sticks and candles, as well as calligraphy sets for beginners will be a good choice.

The largest fairs will be held in Chinatowns of megacities — from New York to Sydney. In Moscow, the main trade will be organized in the districts of Lyublino and Yuzhnoportovy, where you can buy traditional lanterns, firecrackers and symbols of the year. The largest online platforms also launch special sales a month before the holiday.

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.