2026 Chinese Spring Festival: Our Holiday & Traditions

2026 Chinese Spring Festival Holiday is a traditional Chinese festival.The Chinese New Year, or Lunar New Year, is more commonly referred to as the Spring Festival in China and celebrations take place over 15 days.

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2026 – The Year of the Horse. In 2026 Chinese New Year festival falls on Feb. 17th. It is the Year of the Horse according to the Chinese zodiac, which features a 12-year cycle with each year represented by a specific animal.

China during this period is dominated by iconic red lanterns, loud fireworks, massive banquets and parades, and the festival even triggers exuberant celebrations across the globe.

Time for Family Reunion.Like Christmas in Western countries, Chinese New Year is a time to be home with family, chatting, drinking, cooking, and enjoying a hearty meal together.

Company Holiday Notice

To all partners, clients, and team members:

In celebration of the 2026 Chinese New Year (Spring Festival), WS MOLD will observe an extended holiday period to honor tradition and allow our colleagues to reunite with family.

📅 Office Closure:
Monday, February 9, 2026 – Monday, February 23, 2026

📅 Work Resumes:
Tuesday, February 24, 2026

During this time, our offices in mainland China will be closed. For urgent matters, please contact your account manager or email global.support@[company].com. Our teams in North America and Europe will remain available for critical issues.

The Story of Chinese New Year 2026: A Journey Through Tradition

The Year of the Fire Horse (丙午年)

On February 17, 2026, the world will welcome the Year of the Horse, specifically the Fire Horse in the Chinese zodiac cycle. The Horse, symbolizing speed, freedom, and unyielding spirit, promises a year of bold initiatives and dynamic energy. Those born in Horse years (2014, 2002, 1990, 1978…) are said to embody traits of independence, charisma, and a love for adventure.

Why the Date Changes Every Year

Unlike the Gregorian calendar, Chinese New Year follows the lunisolar calendar, aligning with the second new moon after the winter solstice. This causes the date to shift between January 21 and February 20 annually. In 2026, the festivities begin on Lunar New Year’s Eve (February 16) and culminate with the Lantern Festival on March 3.

Why is it called Spring Festival?

The festival date is in January or February, around the Chinese solar term the ‘Beginning of Spring’, so it is also named the ‘Spring Festival’.

The 15-Day Celebration: A Day-by-Day Guide

Date (2026)	Phase	Traditions
Feb 9–15	Little Year	House cleaning, haircuts, and shopping to sweep away bad luck.
Feb 16	New Year’s Eve	Family reunion dinners, red envelopes (hongbao), and staying up until midnight to welcome the God of Wealth.
Feb 17	Day 1	Firecrackers at dawn, temple visits, and no sweeping (to avoid “sweeping away” fortune).
Feb 18	Day 2	Married daughters visit their parents with gifts.
Feb 19	Day 3	“Red Dog Day” – avoid arguments; businesses stay closed.
Feb 20–22	Days 4–6	Visiting relatives, exchanging blessings, and feasting on jiaozi (dumplings) and nian gao (rice cakes).
Feb 23	Day 7	“Human Day” – celebrating the creation of mankind with seven-vegetable soup.
Mar 3	Lantern Festival	Solving riddles on lanterns, eating sweet rice balls (tangyuan), and dragon dances.

How to Say Happy New Year in Chinese

Why is Chinese New Year Important?

For the Chinese, the Chinese New Year symbolizes new beginnings and hope.

The Chinese New Year/Spring Festival is a wonderful, family-centred celebration that gives people the chance to reconnect with their roots, family and emotions. Homecoming is a really important part of it. No matter where people are, they rush home to meet their dear relatives, which is such a lovely way of soothing their hearts. Reunion is so important for strengthening family bonds.

The Chinese culture is all about family, so they really understand the significance of the Spring Festival in fostering family ties.

The Spring Festival is a time for making contacts. People greet each other, present red envelopes, gather for meals, and engage in all sorts of festive activities. Such activities help to build social bonds and friendships.

Modern Celebrations & Global Impact

Today, Chinese New Year transcends borders:

Sydney’s Opera House glows red, while San Francisco’s Chinatown hosts the largest parade outside Asia.
Tech giants like Alibaba and Tencent launch “red envelope” campaigns, distributing billions via mobile apps.
Sustainability trends see eco-friendly firecrackers and digital greetings replacing paper cards.

In 2026, the UNESCO-listed Spring Festival will see over 3 billion passenger trips during Chunyun, the world’s largest human migration.

How to Celebrate (Even If You’re Not in China)

Decorate with red lanterns and fu (福) characters upside-down to invite luck.
Cook symbolic dishes: whole fish for abundance, long noodles for longevity.
Gift oranges (for wealth) or avoid clocks (symbolizing “running out of time”).
Learn a greeting: “Gong xi fa cai!” (Wishing you prosperity!).

Looking Ahead: 2027’s Year of the Sheep

Mark your calendars: February 6, 2027 will usher in the Year of the Sheep, a gentler contrast to the Horse’s fiery energy.

Final Thoughts

As we gallop into 2026, may the Horse’s vigor inspire us to chase goals with courage and grace. From all of us at [Your Company Name], thank you for your partnership this year. We look forward to reconnecting on February 24—refreshed, recharged, and ready to race ahead.
Happy Year of the Horse!
Team WS MOLD