February 17 — Chinese New Year: holiday traditions, where and how to celebrate

On Tuesday, February 17th, Chinese New Year begins — one of the most vibrant holidays in the world, also known as the Spring Festival. It is associated with renewal, family unity, joy and hope for the best. In 2026, its symbol will be a Fiery Horse. Read about the traditions of the celebration, its history, as well as where and how it can be celebrated in the Izvestia article.

Chinese New Year – 2026: when to celebrate, how long it lasts

Chinese New Year, or Spring Festival (Chunjie), is the largest and longest celebration in China and East Asian countries.

The date of the holiday is floating, it is calculated according to the lunar-solar calendar. The New Year begins on the second new moon after the winter solstice, in the corridor between January 21 and February 20. This period is traditionally associated with the awakening of nature and renewal.

The celebration itself lasts two weeks, and in 2026 it will be held from February 17 to March 2. In Chinese culture, it is not so much "when the year has come" that matters, as with what condition a person crosses the threshold of a new cycle — the general rhythm of future months depends on this. According to beliefs, the first days set the tone for the whole year — from financial results to harmony in the family. Therefore, Chunjie is perceived not only as an occasion for celebration, but also as a time when decisions, words, and even moods carry special weight.

The symbol of the Chinese New Year – 2026: what does the year of the Fiery Horse mean and how to attract good luck

The Fiery Horse in 2026 will bring change and creativity.

The Chinese celebrate the New Year according to the Gregorian calendar — on the night of January 1, but they do it much more modestly, Christmas trees and Santa Clauses appear in shopping malls, but there are usually no large-scale folk festivals on this day.

The history of the Spring Festival

The roots of the celebration are so ancient that scientists cannot pinpoint its origin. Several plots have been fixed in the tradition, which explain the meaning and rituals of the Chinese New Year.

According to one legend, its origins are associated with Emperor Shun. More than 4 thousand years ago, on the day of his accession to the throne, he gathered his ministers and subordinates to make a solemn worship to heaven and earth. This ritual, according to legend, began to be considered the first day of the first lunar month.

Another legend tells about the monster Nyan. It was first mentioned in 1933 in "Notes on the memoirs of Hu Ruan." It appeared at the beginning of each new year to eat people, livestock, and food supplies.

Over time, the Chinese found a way to escape — they left treats at the entrance, believing that, having had enough, the Nanny would not attack. Later it turned out that the beast is afraid of red and loud noises. This is where the tradition of decorating houses with red lanterns and scrolls, as well as arranging noisy processions and fireworks comes from.

Symbol of the year – 2026: Red Fiery Horse

The Chinese calendar, where each year corresponds to one of the 12 animal symbols, is called shengxiao. The patrons of the year alternate in a certain order: Rat, Bull, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep (Goat), Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig. At the same time, each year corresponds to one of the five elements: Fire, Earth, Water, Wood and Metal. The combination with the five elements forms a 60-year circle. For example, the year of the Green Wooden Snake (2025) will be repeated only in 2085.

In Chinese culture, shengxiao is a way of describing the energy of time and the characters of people. The sign that corresponds to a person's year of birth is used to judge their behavior, strengths, weaknesses, and even compatibility with other people.

The year 2026 will be marked by the Red Fiery Horse, one of the most energetic combinations in the 60-year cycle. This animal symbolizes freedom, speed, perseverance and vitality. People of this sign are credited with independence and leadership qualities.

The element of Fire enhances the natural dynamics, adding passion, determination and brightness, but requires self-control so as not to "burn out" at high speed. Red is considered the key color, it is associated with good luck, joy, prosperity and protection from evil forces.

Chinese New Year traditions — how to celebrate the Spring Festival in China

In China, the house must be put in order by the New Year, freeing up space from the accumulated junk and unnecessary things over the year, thus, according to beliefs, the dwelling is cleared of worries and failures. The interiors are filled with red, a symbol of life, protection and strength. It is also customary to buy new clothes for the Spring Festival, this symbolizes a person's willingness to enter the year refreshed.

The highlight of the holiday in China is considered to be a family dinner. Those who find themselves far from home try to return to their loved ones, even if they have to travel thousands of kilometers to do so.

Street processions and fairs are held on the streets, the central streets become pedestrian, they are decorated with red lanterns and festive symbols.

The main street performances are lion and dragon dances. They are shown in squares throughout the holidays. The first one is performed by two artists inside a bright costume. To the loud rhythm of drums and gongs, the "lion" moves, bows to the audience and symbolically drives away evil forces, bringing good luck and protection.

Celebrating 2026: how to create the magic of the New Year of the Fiery Horse in your home

The dragon dance looks even bigger. A long, sometimes multi-meter figure is carried and synchronously set in motion by dozens of participants. Smooth undulating movements create the feeling of a living being. In the Chinese tradition, this creature represents strength, wisdom and collective well-being.

The final point of the New Year period is the Lantern Festival — Yuanxiaojie. It is celebrated on the 15th day, the first full moon of the new year. In the evening, thousands of lanterns of various shapes are lit — from classic round to curly. They are carried through the streets, launched into the sky or launched on water. It is believed that the light of lanterns symbolizes hope for a harmonious and prosperous year.

Festive table for Chinese New Year

New Year's Eve dinner is a continuation of the holiday philosophy. Traditionally, they try to set the table generously, and the abundance of dishes is perceived as a sign of future prosperity. Not only the taste is important, but also the hidden meaning of each treat.

• dumplings (jiaozi) are one of the main dishes of the holiday, their shape resembles ancient gold bars, so they are associated with financial well—being.;
• fish is a symbol of abundance, it is served whole, with a head and tail, so that the year is "full";
• noodles are a sign of a long life, they try not to cut or break it.;
• Glutinous rice and dishes based on it, including nyangao (rice cake), are a symbol of career and life improvements;

• Tangyuan, sweet balls of glutinous rice, are served on Lantern Day, which ends the New Year celebrations. Their soft, stringy texture is symbolically associated with the idea of unity.: It is believed that family members should hold on as tightly as rice "sticks" together.

What not to do on Chinese New Year on February 17th

In China, special importance is attached to the first days of the celebration of the New Year according to the Eastern calendar. During this period, according to beliefs, a number of prohibitions should be strictly observed, since a violation of the energy balance can negatively affect the next 12 months. At this time, they try to avoid talking about death, illness, poverty, and losses.

Accurate horoscope for February 2026 for all zodiac signs

What else is forbidden to do on February 17th:

• washing your hair and getting a haircut — the word "hair" in some dialects is consonant with the word "wealth", the Chinese believe that water can "wash away" financial luck.;
• quarreling, crying and swearing — anger and tears on the first day of the year are perceived as a sign of future conflicts and sorrows;
• Borrowing or giving money on the eve and on the first day is believed to lead to debts and losses.;
• to do the cleaning in the first days of the new year — you can "sweep away" luck and well-being;
• giving "unlucky" gifts — for example, sharp objects can "cut" luck, watches are associated with the end of time, and black and white mourning gifts are associated with death.

What do they give you for Chinese New Year?

In China, in honor of the Spring Festival, it is customary to give special gifts that "speak" the language of symbols. The most common gift is a red envelope with hongbao money. It is perceived not as financial assistance, but as an encrypted wish for good luck and prosperity, which is what many are waiting for in the first place.

They also give gifts for the Chinese New Year:

• Fruits, especially tangerines and oranges, are a symbol of wealth, good luck and prosperity, the orange color is associated with gold, and their shape resembles coins.;
• tea — means health and longevity;
• sweets in red packaging, dried fruits and nuts are symbols of abundance and fertility;
• alcohol for men, older relatives and business partners is a sign of respect and a wish for prosperity.

Where and how to celebrate Chinese New Year in Moscow

In Moscow, the festival in honor of the Year of the Fiery Horse will be held from February 16 to March 1. The city will be decorated in a festive style — the streets will be decorated with red lanterns, creating the atmosphere of a traditional Spring Festival.

The program will allow residents and guests of the capital to get acquainted with Chinese culture through cuisine, stage performances and educational formats. Artists from seven Chinese provinces will come to the capital to present regional traditions, music and stage genres.

Main sites:

• Manezhnaya Square. There will be a fair, a stage with a concert program, and artists from Beijing will show acrobatics and elements of wushu. Guests will be able to send a postcard to China via New Year's mail, make a wish at the symbolic Moscow – Beijing express and participate in an interactive quest.;
• Bolotnaya Square (Gift Factory art pavilion) will offer a more relaxed format: workshops on Chinese calligraphy, creating paper lanterns and painting glass products. There will be an Asian cuisine area nearby.;
• Large—scale street performances will be held at VDNKH - processions with a 20-meter golden dragon and demonstration performances by wushu masters.
• The Moscow Zoo will prepare a special educational program for families with children. Special attention will be paid to pandas Zhui and Dingding;
• The Moskino Film Park in the south of the capital will recreate the atmosphere of a traditional Chinese city with themed decorations and photo zones.;
• Three Train Stations Food Mall. Depot" will become a space for evening events. There will be a Chinese lantern festival, an instant face change show, a Red Horse dance, performances by "dragon warriors" with drums, as well as a tea party with a DJ set.;
• The Museum of Moscow, together with the Metropolitan Museum of China, will open the exhibition "Spring Festival. New Year in Old Beijing", which will run until the end of May.

Entrance to all outdoor venues of the festival is free. Pre-registration on the official portal of the Moscow Government may be required to participate in individual workshops and lectures in enclosed spaces.

Earlier, Izvestia reported on the history and traditions of the Groundhog Day holiday.