Holiday Guide Updated: 2025-12-18

Lunar New Year: Dates, Traditions & Countries

Lunar New Year is widely celebrated across Asia and by communities worldwide. In English, it often refers to the New Year day used for Chinese New Year (Spring Festival), with closely related celebrations such as Seollal (Korea) and Tết (Vietnam).

Date range
Late Jan → Feb
Varies by year
Festival season
Up to 15+ days
Lantern Festival near day 15
Planning help
Time + dialing
Avoid timezone mistakes
How the date is determined (simple)
Lunar New Year is set by a lunisolar calendar. In the Gregorian calendar, it typically falls on a new moon between Jan 21 and Feb 20, so the exact date changes each year.

Next Lunar New Year Countdown (Your Local Time)

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Home / Holidays / Lunar New Year

What is Lunar New Year?

Lunar New Year celebrates the start of a new year based on a lunisolar calendar. It’s strongly associated with Chinese New Year (Spring Festival), and is also connected with major cultural holidays such as Seollal (Korea) and Tết (Vietnam).

Common themes
Family, renewal, good fortune
Reunion meals, visits, greetings
Popular symbols
Red, lanterns, couplets
Decorations and lucky imagery
Typical finish
Lantern Festival
Around day 15 of the lunar month

Lunar New Year Dates by Year

Dates vary each year and usually land between late January and mid/late February. This table lists commonly referenced Lunar New Year dates (often aligned with Chinese New Year).

Year Date Weekday Zodiac Add
Planning tip
If you’re scheduling across time zones, check local time with Country Time and compare offsets with Time Difference.

Common Lunar New Year Traditions

Traditions vary by place and family, but these are frequently seen across Lunar New Year celebrations.

Family reunion & special meals

Many families gather for a reunion dinner, visit relatives, and share foods with symbolic meanings for luck, health, and prosperity.

Red decorations & greetings

Homes and streets are often decorated with red lanterns, banners, and seasonal ornaments. People exchange greetings for a safe and successful new year.

Red envelopes and gifting

Gift-giving is common, including red envelopes in many communities, as well as sweets, fruit, or symbolic gifts.

Parades, lion/dragon dances, fireworks

Public celebrations can include performances, street festivals, and fireworks (where permitted). Many cities worldwide host Lunar New Year events.

Countries & Regions Where Lunar New Year Is Celebrated

Lunar New Year is celebrated across East and Southeast Asia and by communities worldwide. Use the quick list below to jump to country calling codes, phone formats, and local time.

Business + travel note
This period is often one of the busiest travel and logistics seasons in parts of Asia. For international calls, check local time first and expect different working hours during holiday periods.

Tools for Lunar New Year Planning

Planning a call, shipment, or meeting? These tools help you confirm local time and format international numbers correctly.

FAQ

When is Lunar New Year 2026?
The Lunar New Year date varies by year. This page’s date table includes the 2026 date and upcoming years.
Is Lunar New Year a public holiday everywhere?
Not everywhere. Public holiday rules vary by country (and sometimes by region), and the number of days off can differ.
How do I plan an international call during Lunar New Year?
Check the destination’s local time with Country Time, compare time zones using Time Difference, and format the phone number using International Dialing.

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