Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year History

The Chinese New Year, or Spring Festival,allows for reflection on the past year, and ushers in good fortune for the upcoming year. The festivities are enriched with traditional rituals that include cleaning the house to drive out old energies, exchange of gifts, feasting on special meals, the use of red decorations and attire for luck, and the display of colorful fireworks and parades showcasing the well-known dragon and lion dances.

It's believed that the observance originated during the Shang Dynasty (1600–1046 BC) to venerate gods and ancestors in springtime. Notably, this tradition gains relevance to people in America due to the country's sizable Asian American population. Various practices like cooking 'lucky' meals and engaging in cultural performances have been assimilated into the larger American cultural fabric. Moreover, in recent years, the observance is increasingly viewed as an opportunity to recognize the richness and diversity of the multicultural landscape in the United States.

In America, Chinese New Year festivities are especially prominent in areas with large Chinese-American communities like San Francisco, New York, and Los Angeles. The occasion is marked with vibrant parades, cultural performances, and special food preparations. Meetings and banquets featuring traditional Chinese cuisines such as dumplings and rice cakes highlight the celebration. Observances also encompass communal activities like art exhibits, film screenings, and book fairs to promote Chinese culture. Typically, the Chinese year begins with the second new moon after the winter solstice, which falls anywhere between January 21 and February 20. However, exact dates may vary in the United States based on local community traditions and lunar calendar interpretations.

Top 10 Facts for Chinese New Year in 2026

• The upcoming 2026 celebration marks the arrival of the Year of the Fire Horse, a rare occurrence in the 60-year sexagenary cycle that is traditionally associated with intense energy, rapid transformation, and forward momentum.
• Coincidentally, the start of the lunar year on February 17, 2026, aligns with an annular solar eclipse often called a "ring of fire," while the concluding Lantern Festival on March 3 will feature a "blood moon" total lunar eclipse.
• A modern phenomenon known as the Cyber Lunar New Year is gaining traction among younger generations who use smartphone apps to burn "digital incense" and exchange virtual hongbao covers to maintain traditions in a high-tech format.
• Individuals born in previous Horse years will enter their Ben Ming Nian, a period where they are said to clash with the deity Tai Sui and must wear red undergarments or jade accessories to ward off potential misfortune.
• Major cinematic releases scheduled for the holiday season include the high-budget wuxia epic Blades of the Guardians and the heartwarming family comedy A Good Fortune.
• The cultural practice of lighting firecrackers and displaying red decorations stems from the ancient legend of Nian, a predatory beast that was famously repelled by loud noises and the color red.
• For those following traditional Feng Shui, the year is predicted to be exceptionally auspicious for those born under the signs of the Tiger, Dog, and Pig due to their natural compatibility with the Horse.
• The practice of giving Hongbao, or red envelopes filled with money, remains a central tradition where elders pass blessings to the younger generation, typically avoiding the number four because it is a homophone for death in several Chinese dialects.
• Culinary traditions feature symbolic dishes such as steamed fish, which is served to represent the phrase Nian Nian You Yu, expressing the wish for a surplus of prosperity in the coming year.
• The 15-day celebration concludes with the Lantern Festival, where the eating of Tangyuan, or sweet glutinous rice balls, symbolizes family unity and the wholeness of the first full moon of the lunar year.

In the News and Trending in the US for Chinese New Year

Top things to do in the US for Chinese New Year

• Clean your house. It is customary for Chinese to clean their homes in preparation for the New Year and the fresh start.
• Get together with friends and create a long dragon on sticks. One person gets to create the head, and the others can create the long flowy tail. Remember to use bright colors.
• Sing a popular Chinese New Year song called Gonf Xi Fa Cai.
• Prepare your red envelopes for the kids. This is considered lucky money for children.
• Attend a Chinese New Year Festival in a town near you. Most large cities in the US have a Chinatown district that will host events and pageants.