Chinese Calendar 2020
Year of the Rat
鼠·庚子
Chinese New Year
February 4
Tuesday
New Year's Eve
February 3
Monday
Lantern Festival
February 18
Tuesday
Chinese Year
4717
Year 庚子
Major 2020 Chinese Festivals
Track every major festival throughout 2020. 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 2020 (PDF)
One-page overview with zodiac insights, festival checklist, and planning notes.
Year of the Rat
2020 is the Year of the Rat (鼠, pronounced “Shǔ”) in the Chinese zodiac. The Rat is the 1st animal in the 12-year cycle.
People born in the Year of the Rat are said to possess characteristics associated with this sign. The Rat is linked to the Water element.
Previous Rat Years:
2008, 1996, 1984, 1972
鼠
Shǔ
Element: Water
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
Wu Yue (Fifth Month), 8th
126 days after Chinese New Year
Zodiac Influence
Year of the Horse (马)
Fire element
15 Days of Chinese New Year 2020
Chinese New Year celebrations last 15 days, each with its own traditions.
| Day | Date | Tradition |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Feb 4 | New Year's Day - Family reunions, red envelopes, firecrackers |
| Day 2 | Feb 5 | Married daughters visit parents - Pray to gods |
| Day 3 | Feb 6 | Mouse marries - Stay home, early sleep |
| Day 4 | Feb 7 | Welcome Kitchen God back from heaven |
| Day 5 | Feb 8 | Welcome God of Wealth - Open businesses |
| Day 6 | Feb 9 | Send away poverty - Clean the house |
| Day 7 | Feb 10 | Renri (Human Day) - Everyone's birthday |
| Day 8 | Feb 11 | Pray to heaven - Jade Emperor's eve |
| Day 9 | Feb 12 | Jade Emperor's birthday - Grand offerings |
| Day 10 | Feb 13 | Stone's birthday - Don't move stones |
| Day 11 | Feb 14 | Father-in-law entertains son-in-law |
| Day 12 | Feb 15 | Prepare for Lantern Festival |
| Day 13 | Feb 16 | Test lanterns - Light candles |
| Day 14 | Feb 17 | Trial Lantern Festival |
| Day 15 | Feb 18 | 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 2020?
Chinese New Year 2020 falls on Tuesday, February 4, 2020. This marks the beginning of the Year of the Rat (鼠).
What animal year is 2020 in Chinese zodiac?
2020 is the Year of the Rat (鼠) in the Chinese zodiac. The Rat is associated with the Water element.
How long does Chinese New Year 2020 celebration last?
Chinese New Year celebrations traditionally last 15 days, from New Year's Day to the Lantern Festival. In 2020, this is from February 4 to February 18.
What is the Chinese year number for 2020?
In the traditional Chinese calendar, 2020 is year 4717. This is calculated from the reign of the Yellow Emperor (Huangdi) starting in 2697 BCE.
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