The heart of a new beginning.

What makes it a new year?

The first day of the first lunar month marks the start of the year. Because the Chinese calendar combines lunar months with the solar year, the Gregorian date changes annually. The 2026 festival fell on February 17; the 2027 festival falls on February 6.

Traditions with room for difference

Many families gather for a reunion meal, exchange greetings and prepare their homes for the new year. Red decorations and couplets are familiar sights. Food, visiting customs and the way gifts are given vary by region and household.

Red envelopes, called hóngbāo, are part of many celebrations, especially gifts to children. There is no universal amount or rule for every family: ask someone close to the hosts if you are unsure.

A thoughtful way to take part

Start with a greeting and a little curiosity. If you are visiting, check the timing and any gift preferences with your host. Sharing a meal or learning a family tradition can matter more than getting every custom “right”.

Chinese Spring Festival traditions are one part of a wider set of New Year celebrations in Asia and beyond. Other communities, including those celebrating Seollal or Tết, have their own names and traditions.

A story, a custom, a fact

The tale of Nián, a creature frightened by loud sounds and the color red, is a popular festival legend. It is a story people tell, not a documented explanation of every New Year practice.