Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year History

The Chinese New Year or Spring Festival, symbolizes the onset of new beginnings, prosperity, hope, and good fortune. Commemorated with vibrant aesthetic displays, family reunions, auspicious meals, and traditional events, the festival embodies the blend of spirituality, temporal aspirations, and socio-cultural dynamics.

The origin of Chinese New Year dates back over 3,500 years and has evolved through dynastic periods, embracing regional and societal diversities. This shared cultural identity and expression resonate with those in the European Union because of the EU's commitment to cultural diversity and inclusion. With a significant Chinese diaspora in Europe, Chinese New Year has gathered recognition and familiarity, granting insights into this rich, millennia-old cultural heritage.

Across the European Union, Chinese New Year is observed with great fervour by Chinese communities, promoting cross-cultural exchanges. Cities like London, Paris, and Berlin host expansive street parades, showcasing traditional dragon dances, martial arts, and lantern displays. Cultural centers organize workshops and exhibitions, enriching understanding about Chinese art, culture, and traditions. These celebrations, however, vary in date annually according to the Chinese lunisolar calendar, typically starting between 21st January and 20th February.

Top 10 Facts for 2026 Chinese New Year in the EU

• The transition into the Year of the Horse on February 17, 2026, marks the beginning of the rare Fire Horse cycle, a celestial combination that occurs only once every 60 years and is traditionally associated with heightened energy, social dynamism, and transformative change.
• London is expected to host the largest Lunar New Year celebration outside of Asia, with festivities centered in the West End featuring a massive parade of floats and the largest gathering of Chinese lions and dragons in Europe.
• In France, the national postal service, La Poste Group, continues its long-standing tradition of issuing limited-edition artistic stamps to commemorate the zodiac, featuring stylized equestrian designs that symbolize both movement and prosperity.
• Culinary enthusiasts across the continent frequently seek out symbolic dishes such as jiaozi, which are crescent-shaped dumplings resembling ancient gold ingots intended to attract wealth, and nian gao, a sticky rice cake whose name is a homophone for "rising higher" in the coming year.
• The 2026 observance coincides with the world's largest annual human migration known as Chunyun, a period during which billions of trips are made as people travel globally to reunite with family for the traditional Reunion Dinner on New Year’s Eve.
• Major cultural institutions, such as the China National Peking Opera Company, often embark on European tours during this period, bringing high-profile performances of traditional arts to venues like the National Palace of Culture in Sofia or Berlin's Red Town Hall.
• For those born in a previous Year of the Horse, 2026 is considered their Ben Ming Nian, or zodiac birth year, a time traditionally navigated by wearing red clothing or accessories to ward off Tai Sui, the God of Age, and ensure personal protection.
• Italy’s largest celebrations take place in Milan’s Chinatown and Prato, where the community performs the Lions' Eye-Dotting Ceremony to "wake up" the mythical creatures and bring good luck to the local spectators and businesses.
• The 15-day festival cycle reaches its spectacular conclusion with the Lantern Festival on March 3, 2026, an evening characterized by the release of glowing lanterns and the consumption of tang yuan, sweet rice balls that represent family wholeness and unity.
• Major educational initiatives, such as the Year of the Horse Education Pack provided by the British Council, are being utilized across European schools to teach children about the Great Race of the zodiac and the history of the Silk Road.

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

Top things to do in the EU 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.
• Watch a film to learn more about Chinese New Year
  Chinese New Year: The Biggest Celebration on Earth - This is a BBC documentary.
  Once Upon a Bite - This is a Chinese documentary series that explores food from around the globe, which includes European cultures and could give insights into Chinese influence on global cuisine.
  Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry - A documentary about prominent Chinese artist Ai Weiwei, which provides insight into the life of a Chinese immigrant living in Europe.
• Brussels Chinese New Year Parade: The streets of Brussels come alive with the sound of drums and the sight of traditional Chinese dragon and lion dances during New Year celebrations.