Every year, it’s the stars – and more specifically, the Moon – that determine when the Chinese New Year begins, which will be under the sign of the Horse in 2026. But what does that mean, and where does the festival come from?
Unlike the Western New Year, celebrated every year on January 1st, the date of the Chinese New Year varies from year to year, as it depends on lunar cycles. This festival, also known as the “Spring Festival”, takes place during the second new moon following the winter solstice, which usually falls on December 21st. The festival can therefore take place anytime between January 21st and February 20th.
This year, official celebrations will begin on February 17th, 2026. Even though China has been using the Gregorian calendar, used by most other countries, since 1912, it has retained its traditional lunisolar calendar to govern festivals, according to National Geographic.
The origins of the Chinese New Year are difficult to trace, according to the renowned Britannica encyclopedia, which estimates that the festival originated from legends. One legend tells of a monster named Nian – which means “year” in Chinese – who used to attack villagers at the beginning of the new lunar year. But since the monster was frightened by loud noises, bright lights, and the colour red, the inhabitants would use them every year.
Today, the festival is marked by firecrackers and fireworks, wearing red clothes, decorations of the same colour, exchanging red envelopes – hongbaos – filled with money to bring good luck, and family meals, according to Britannica.
To attract happiness and prosperity, it is also customary to clean your house and participate in lantern parades during which dragon dances take place – a colourful procession of people under a long dragon, a symbol of good luck.
In Chinese culture, each year is associated with one of the 12 signs of the zodiac, which cycle one after the other to define what the new year will be like. These 12 animals of the zodiac derive from ancient Chinese folklore, and include in order the Rat, the Ox, the Tiger, the Rabbit, the Dragon, the Snake, the Horse, the Goat, the Monkey, the Rooster, the Dog, and the Pig, according to National Geographic.
Starting February 17th, 2026, the year will be under the sign of the Horse, which symbolizes action, freedom, speed, and self-improvement, according to London-based traditional Chinese medicine practitioner Susan Gu, as reported by Vogue. This means the year could be marked by personal fulfillment, change, new opportunities, and movement rather than immobility.
For those wishing to celebrate the Lunar New Year this year, several celebrations will be held across the province. In Montreal, for example, festivities will be held during the weekend of February 21st and 22nd at Sun-Yat-Sen Park in Chinatown, according to Tourisme Montréal, which announces an Asian night market, a lion dance parade, and various shows.
Events will also take place at the Eaton Centre, from February 9th to 22nd, and at Royalmount, from February 16th to 22nd, to discover Asian culture, including traditional activities, dance and painting performances, tastings, and more.
In Quebec City, celebrations will take place in the heart of the Saint-Sauveur district on February 21st, 2026, during a free event organized for the Lunar New Year, including food sharing, workshops, and various activities.
Asie en Fête: https://www.instagram.com/p/C3JqJq_vJ-W/?hl=fr
