Chinese Calendar 2026
Year of the Horse
马·丙午
Chinese New Year
February 17
Tuesday
New Year's Eve
February 16
Monday
Lantern Festival
March 3
Tuesday
Chinese Year
4723
Year 丙午
Major 2026 Chinese Festivals
Track every major festival throughout 2026. Use the lunar dates below to plan rituals, educational content, or travel around each celebration.
春节
Chinese New Year
Most important traditional Chinese festival celebrating the lunar new year
Lunar Lunar Month 1, Day 1
元宵节
Lantern Festival
Marks the end of Chinese New Year celebrations with lanterns and rice balls
Lunar Lunar Month 1, Day 15
清明节
Qingming Festival
Tomb-sweeping day to honor ancestors, usually April 4-6
Lunar Solar term (April 4-6)
端午节
Dragon Boat Festival
Commemorates poet Qu Yuan with dragon boat races and zongzi
中秋节
Mid-Autumn Festival
Celebrates harvest moon with mooncakes and family reunions
重阳节
Double Ninth Festival
Day to honor elders and climb mountains for good luck
Printable
Download Chinese Calendar 2026 (PDF)
One-page overview with zodiac insights, festival checklist, and planning notes.
Year of the Horse
2026 is the Year of the Horse (马, pronounced “Mǎ”) in the Chinese zodiac. The Horse is the 7th animal in the 12-year cycle.
People born in the Year of the Horse are said to possess characteristics associated with this sign. The Horse is linked to the Fire element.
Previous Horse Years:
2014, 2002, 1990, 1978
马
Mǎ
Element: Fire
Gregorian → Lunar Converter
Find Your Lunar Birthday
Quickly map any Gregorian date to an approximate lunar month and day. Perfect for planning traditional celebrations or learning your lunar zodiac placement.
Data is educational and based on average lunar cycles. For ceremonial use, confirm with an official almanac.
Approximate Lunar Date
Si Yue (Fourth Month), 18th
106 days after Chinese New Year
Zodiac Influence
Year of the Horse (马)
Fire element
15 Days of Chinese New Year 2026
Chinese New Year celebrations last 15 days, each with its own traditions.
| Day | Date | Tradition |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Feb 17 | New Year's Day - Family reunions, red envelopes, firecrackers |
| Day 2 | Feb 18 | Married daughters visit parents - Pray to gods |
| Day 3 | Feb 19 | Mouse marries - Stay home, early sleep |
| Day 4 | Feb 20 | Welcome Kitchen God back from heaven |
| Day 5 | Feb 21 | Welcome God of Wealth - Open businesses |
| Day 6 | Feb 22 | Send away poverty - Clean the house |
| Day 7 | Feb 23 | Renri (Human Day) - Everyone's birthday |
| Day 8 | Feb 24 | Pray to heaven - Jade Emperor's eve |
| Day 9 | Feb 25 | Jade Emperor's birthday - Grand offerings |
| Day 10 | Feb 26 | Stone's birthday - Don't move stones |
| Day 11 | Feb 27 | Father-in-law entertains son-in-law |
| Day 12 | Feb 28 | Prepare for Lantern Festival |
| Day 13 | Mar 1 | Test lanterns - Light candles |
| Day 14 | Mar 2 | Trial Lantern Festival |
| Day 15 | Mar 3 | Lantern Festival - Yuanxiao, lantern displays |
All Chinese Zodiac Animals
Rat
鼠
Ox
牛
Tiger
虎
Rabbit
兔
Dragon
龙
Snake
蛇
Horse
马
Goat
羊
Monkey
猴
Rooster
鸡
Dog
狗
Pig
猪
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Chinese New Year 2026?
Chinese New Year 2026 falls on Tuesday, February 17, 2026. This marks the beginning of the Year of the Horse (马).
What animal year is 2026 in Chinese zodiac?
2026 is the Year of the Horse (马) in the Chinese zodiac. The Horse is associated with the Fire element.
How long does Chinese New Year 2026 celebration last?
Chinese New Year celebrations traditionally last 15 days, from New Year's Day to the Lantern Festival. In 2026, this is from February 17 to March 3.
What is the Chinese year number for 2026?
In the traditional Chinese calendar, 2026 is year 4723. This is calculated from the reign of the Yellow Emperor (Huangdi) starting in 2697 BCE.
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