Chinese Holidays 2026-2027
Traditional festival dates on the Gregorian calendar, with their lunar dates
Chinese New Year 2026 falls on February 17, 2026, beginning the Year of the Horse. Below is every major traditional festival for 2026 and 2027 with its lunar date and Gregorian date.
Most festivals follow the lunisolar Chinese calendar, so their Gregorian dates shift each year. Observance varies by region and family — northern and southern China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and diaspora communities each keep their own customs.
New Year & Spring Festivals
| Festival | Lunar Date | 2026 | 2027 | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chinese New Year 春节 | 1st day, 1st month | Feb 17, 2026 | Feb 6, 2027 | Spring Festival; 2026 begins the Year of the Horse |
| Lantern Festival 元宵节 | 15th day, 1st month | Mar 3, 2026 | Feb 20, 2027 | Full moon; ends New Year celebrations |
| Qingming 清明节 | Solar term | Apr 5, 2026 | Apr 5, 2027 | Tomb-Sweeping Day; follows the sun, not the moon |
Summer Festivals
| Festival | Lunar Date | 2026 | 2027 | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dragon Boat Festival 端午节 | 5th day, 5th month | Jun 19, 2026 | Jun 9, 2027 | Duanwu; dragon-boat races and zongzi |
| Qixi 七夕 | 7th day, 7th month | Aug 19, 2026 | Aug 8, 2027 | The "Chinese Valentine's Day" |
Autumn Festivals
| Festival | Lunar Date | 2026 | 2027 | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mid-Autumn Festival 中秋节 | 15th day, 8th month | Sep 25, 2026 | Sep 15, 2027 | Full-moon reunion dinner and mooncakes |
| Double Ninth 重阳节 | 9th day, 9th month | Oct 18, 2026 | Oct 8, 2027 | Chongyang; honoring elders and ancestors |
Why the dates move
Traditional festivals are fixed on the lunisolar calendar — the Dragon Boat Festival is always the 5th day of the 5th lunar month — but lunar months drift against the Gregorian year, so the civil date changes annually. Qingming is the exception: it is a solar term and stays around April 4-6.
Curious how the mechanics work? How the Chinese Calendar Works covers lunar months, leap months, solar terms, and zodiac years.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Chinese New Year 2026?
Tuesday, February 17, 2026 — the first day of the Year of the Horse. Celebrations traditionally run through the Lantern Festival on March 3, 2026.
When is Chinese New Year 2027?
Saturday, February 6, 2027, beginning the Year of the Goat.
When is the Mid-Autumn Festival 2026?
Friday, September 25, 2026 — the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, at the full moon. In 2027 it falls on September 15.
What zodiac year is 2026?
2026 is the Year of the Horse (a Fire Horse year), beginning February 17, 2026 and ending February 5, 2027. Before February 17, it is still the Year of the Snake.
Why do Chinese holiday dates change every year?
Most festivals follow the lunisolar calendar, whose months track the moon and drift against the Gregorian year. Qingming follows the sun instead and stays around April 4-6.
Want these festivals on a printable calendar?
CultureSync puts lunar and Gregorian dates side by side with the festivals your family celebrates. Add your own dates, customize the design, and download a print-ready PDF.
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