The Lunar New Year is welcomed with a variety of cultural traditions and rituals such as carnivals, parades, fireworks and ancestor remembrance.

Whether you’re unfamiliar with Lunar New Year or need a refresher, this guide to ushering in the Year of the Horse has you covered.

The Chinese zodiac, or Sheng Xiao (生肖), is a repeating 12-year cycle of animal signs and their attributes, based on the lunar calendar. According to the Chinese zodiac, the Year of the Horse begins Tuesday, Feb. 17, marking the first Year of the Horse since 2014. The Year of the Snake, which began on Jan. 29, 2025, ends Feb. 16.

The 2026 Lunar New Year and Chinese New Year begin Tuesday, Feb. 17, in the Western calendar. ChinaHighlights.com explains that "Lunar New Year" is a more general term encompassing all celebrations marking a new year according to a lunar calendar. Many regions across Asia celebrate the Lunar New Year in many ways, following different zodiacs.

This week marks the beginning of the Lunar New Year, Ramadan and Lent. The three holidays are governed by different lunar calendars, and it's extremely rare for them to coincide.

The Chinese Lunar New Year marks a powerful energetic reset. Discover what today activates for each zodiac sign—plus the deeper emotional themes shaping your next 12 months.

Lunar New Year is an annual holiday observed across Asia that lasts a week. The exact date is determined by the lunar calendar and it always falls in late January to mid-February. For many, however, Chunjie (or Spring Festival) feels more like 40 days of celebrations.

Feb. 18, 2026: Lent is the 40-day period leading up Easter for Christians that begins with Ash Wednesday, which falls on Feb. 18. Easter, which is April 5 this year, is determined by the first full moon that occurs after the vernal equinox.

As we step into the Lunar New Year on and transition from the Year of the Snake to the Year of the Horse, here are five tips to help you thrive.