The next Chinese New Year falls on Saturday 6 February 2027: the Year of the Goat begins that day. Chinese New Year (or Spring Festival) follows the Chinese lunisolar calendar: it always falls between 21 January and 20 February, on the second new moon after the winter solstice in most years. Below you will find the dates calculated through 2035, the exact time the year changes in London and New York, the real weather at that time of year and where to experience it while traveling.
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Key points
- 2027: Saturday 6 February 2027 (Year of the Goat); Lantern Festival on Saturday 20 February 2027.
- 2028: Wednesday 26 January 2028 (Year of the Monkey).
- The date changes every year: it is set by the lunar calendar, not the Gregorian calendar.
- Celebrations traditionally last 15 days, until the Lantern Festival.
- In China, this is the busiest travel period of the year: trains and domestic flights fill up very early.
- Seen from London, the year changes at 4 pm on the day before for Beijing, Hong Kong, Taipei and Singapore (11 am in New York).
Chinese New Year dates from 2027 to 2035
These dates come from the official Gregorian-lunar conversion tables of the Hong Kong Observatory. The Lantern Festival (Yuanxiao) falls on the 15th day of the first lunar month, 14 days after New Year.
| Year | Chinese New Year | Year of… (element, Chinese name) | Lantern Festival |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | Saturday 6 February 2027 | Fire Goat (Ding-wei) | Saturday 20 February 2027 |
| 2028 | Wednesday 26 January 2028 | Earth Monkey (Wu-shen) | Wednesday 9 February 2028 |
| 2029 | Tuesday 13 February 2029 | Earth Rooster (Ji-you) | Tuesday 27 February 2029 |
| 2030 | Sunday 3 February 2030 | Metal Dog (Geng-xu) | Sunday 17 February 2030 |
| 2031 | Thursday 23 January 2031 | Metal Pig (Xin-hai) | Thursday 6 February 2031 |
| 2032 | Wednesday 11 February 2032 | Water Rat (Ren-zi) | Wednesday 25 February 2032 |
| 2033 | Monday 31 January 2033 | Water Ox (Gui-chou) | Monday 14 February 2033 |
| 2034 | Sunday 19 February 2034 | Wood Tiger (Jia-yin) | Sunday 5 March 2034 |
| 2035 | Thursday 8 February 2035 | Wood Rabbit (Yi-mao) | Thursday 22 February 2035 |
Over these nine years, the earliest date is Thursday 23 January 2031 and the latest is Sunday 19 February 2034: the gap is almost a month. Always check the exact year before booking a trip « for Chinese New Year ».
Why does the date change every year?
The Chinese calendar is lunisolar: each month begins at a new moon, and an extra month is added in some years to stay in step with the seasons. The first day of the year therefore falls on a different Gregorian date each year, always between late January and late February. The calculation is made on China time (UTC+8): that is why the dates of Vietnamese Tet or Korean Seollal, calculated on other time zones, usually but not always coincide with Chinese New Year.
What time does the year change, in London and New York?
The new year begins at midnight local time. For 2027, here is the corresponding time in London (standard time, UTC+0) and New York (standard time, UTC−5). Destination de Voyage calculation based on the IANA time zone database (identifiers shown): useful for following a live broadcast or calling loved ones at the right time.
| City | IANA zone | UTC offset | Local midnight at New Year 2027 = in London | = in New York |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beijing, Shanghai (China) | Asia/Shanghai | UTC+8 | Friday 5 February 2027 at 4 pm | Friday 5 February 2027 at 11 am |
| Hong Kong | Asia/Hong_Kong | UTC+8 | Friday 5 February 2027 at 4 pm | Friday 5 February 2027 at 11 am |
| Taipei (Taiwan) | Asia/Taipei | UTC+8 | Friday 5 February 2027 at 4 pm | Friday 5 February 2027 at 11 am |
| Singapore | Asia/Singapore | UTC+8 | Friday 5 February 2027 at 4 pm | Friday 5 February 2027 at 11 am |
| Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) | Asia/Kuala_Lumpur | UTC+8 | Friday 5 February 2027 at 4 pm | Friday 5 February 2027 at 11 am |
| Bangkok (Thailand) | Asia/Bangkok | UTC+7 | Friday 5 February 2027 at 5 pm | Friday 5 February 2027 at 12 noon |
To prepare for the time difference before you leave, see our page on the time difference with China and our tips on jet lag.
What is the weather like during Chinese New Year?
Spring Festival is poorly named in northern China: it is the heart of winter. The south and Taiwan are much milder. Here are the official January and February normals, the two months in which Chinese New Year falls.
| City | January (max / min) | February (max / min) | Agency (1991-2020 normals) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beijing | 2.7 °C (37 °F) / -7.1 °C (19 °F) | 6.5 °C (44 °F) / -4.3 °C (24 °F) | CMA |
| Hong Kong | 18.7 °C (66 °F) / 14.6 °C (58 °F) | 19.4 °C (67 °F) / 15.3 °C (60 °F) | Hong Kong Observatory |
| Taipei | 19.4 °C (67 °F) / 14.2 °C (58 °F) | 20.3 °C (69 °F) / 14.4 °C (58 °F) | Central Weather Bureau |
Destination de Voyage calculation based on these normals: in February, it is on average about 12.9 °C (23 °F) warmer in the afternoon in Hong Kong than in Beijing, and Beijing nights stay below freezing. If you want to enjoy the festivities outdoors without bitter cold, the south (Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Taiwan) is the most comfortable choice. Month-by-month detail is on our when to go to China page.
Where to celebrate Chinese New Year while traveling
In mainland China
This is the family holiday par excellence: many Chinese people return to their parents’ homes, some shops close for several days and big cities can feel quieter in the first few days. Beijing’s temple fairs (miaohui), the lights and the flower markets in the south, on the other hand, draw crowds. Official public holidays are set each year by the State Council: check them before building your itinerary. Our China travel guide covers the regions and entry requirements.
In Hong Kong
Hong Kong celebrates Lunar New Year with family traditions and public events, whose program is published each year by the tourism board. February weather there is mild, around 19 °C (66 °F) in the afternoon. See our Hong Kong travel page and when to go to Hong Kong.
In Taiwan
New Year is also a major family celebration there, followed fifteen days later by the Lantern Festival. Taipei stays damp in February (about 102 mm (4.0 in) of rain on average according to the Central Weather Bureau): bring a light raincoat. More information on our Taiwan page and when to go to Taiwan.
In Singapore and Malaysia
Chinese quarters (Chinatown in Singapore) are decorated several weeks before the festival, with markets and lights. It is warm all year, which makes evening outings easy. See Singapore and when to go to Singapore.
In Vietnam and South Korea
Vietnamese Tet and Korean Seollal celebrate the same Lunar New Year, almost always on the same day. These are also family holidays with closures: find out before a trip to Vietnam or South Korea at this time.
If you are going: decision tree
- You want to see parades and lights → Hong Kong, Singapore or Taiwan, preferably around the Lantern Festival.
- You want to visit China without the transport crush → avoid the days before and after the festival: it is the great annual migration (chunyun).
- You dislike the cold → southern China, Hong Kong or Taiwan; the north (Beijing, Xi’an) often drops below freezing at night.
- You are on a tight budget → travel outside the period: hotels and domestic trains are in high demand around the festival.
- You are staying home → the Asian neighborhoods of big cities hold parades; otherwise, see our ideas for where to go in February.
Traditions to know
- The reunion dinner: the family meal on New Year’s Eve, the most important moment of the festival.
- Red envelopes (hongbao): money given to children and relatives.
- Red and decorations: lucky couplets and characters pasted on doors.
- Firecrackers and fireworks: traditional, but regulated or banned in many Chinese cities.
- Lion and dragon dances: common in Chinatowns and at parades.
- The Lantern Festival: it closes the fifteen days of celebrations.
Preparing your trip
Book flights and accommodation several months ahead if you are aiming for the festival dates. Check your entry requirements (visa or exemption depending on your country and the length of stay) with your government’s official travel advice (travel.state.gov for US citizens, GOV.UK for UK citizens) before you leave, and consider travel insurance that covers cancellations in high season.
Frequently asked questions
What is the date of Chinese New Year 2027?
Chinese New Year 2027 falls on Saturday 6 February 2027, according to the Hong Kong Observatory’s tables. It is the Year of the Goat.
What is the animal of 2027?
The Goat (Ding-wei year), which follows the Horse of 2026. It begins on 6 February 2027.
How long does Chinese New Year last?
Celebrations traditionally last fifteen days, from the first day of the year to the Lantern Festival. Official public holidays are shorter and vary by country.
Why is Chinese New Year never on the same date?
Because it follows a lunisolar calendar: it falls on a new moon, between 21 January and 20 February.
Is it a good time to visit China?
Yes for the atmosphere, less so for logistics: domestic transport is saturated and some shops close. The north is cold at this time.
What time does Chinese New Year begin in London?
At midnight China time, which is 4 pm in London the day before (standard time), or 11 am in New York.
Our sources
- Hong Kong Observatory, Gregorian-lunar conversion tables 2026 to 2035, consulted on 14 October 2026.
- IANA time zone database (tz database), used to calculate the times.
- China Meteorological Administration, Hong Kong Observatory and Central Weather Bureau: 1991-2020 climate normals, consulted on 14 October 2026.
- Our methodology
Updated October 2026.