New Delhi, Feb. 15 -- Lunar New Year 2026 begins on Tuesday (February 17, 2026) marking the start of the Year of the Horse in the Chinese zodiac. Also known as Chinese New Year or the Spring Festival, the celebration runs for 15-16 days and concludes with the Lantern Festival in early March.

Celebrated by hundreds of millions worldwide, the festival centers on renewal, family reunions, prosperity and cultural traditions passed down for centuries.

Start date: February 17, 2026

Public holiday (China): First 7 days (Feb 17-Feb 23, 2026)

Lantern Festival: March 3, 2026 (15th day of the lunar year)

Festival duration: Up to 16 days

The date changes each year because it follows the Chinese lunar calendar, beginning with the first new moon ...