When is Chinese New Year 2027?
128
days until Chinese New Year, Saturday 6 February 2027
That's 18 weeks and 2 days. It starts the Year of the Goat.
It's Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year, also called Lunar New Year or the Spring Festival, falls on Saturday 6 February 2027. It begins the Year of the Goat (also translated as Sheep or Ram) and ends the Year of the Horse, which began on 17 February 2026.
Chinese New Year dates for 2026–2031
| Year | New Year's Day | Animal (element) |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Tuesday 17 February | Horse (Fire) |
| 2027 | Saturday 6 February | Goat (Fire) |
| 2028 | Wednesday 26 January | Monkey (Earth) |
| 2029 | Tuesday 13 February | Rooster (Earth) |
| 2030 | Sunday 3 February | Dog (Metal) |
| 2031 | Thursday 23 January | Pig (Metal) |
Dates from the Hong Kong Observatory Gregorian–lunar calendar tables, which are calculated years ahead.
How the date is set
The Chinese calendar is lunisolar: months follow the Moon, and an extra month is added about every three years to keep it in step with the seasons. New Year's Day is the day of the new moon that starts the first lunar month, usually the second new moon after the winter solstice. It always lands between 21 January and 20 February.
The calculation uses China Standard Time (UTC+8), so unlike Ramadan the date is fixed well in advance and does not depend on a sighting. The celebrations run for 15 days and end with the Lantern Festival, on Saturday 20 February 2027.
The zodiac animals
Each year takes one of 12 animals in a fixed order: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig. Each animal also pairs with one of five elements, giving a 60-year cycle: 2027 is a Fire Goat year. The animal changes at New Year, not on 1 January, so anyone born between 1 January and 5 February 2027 belongs to the Year of the Horse.
Chinese New Year in the UK
It is not a bank holiday. London's Chinatown holds the largest celebration in the UK, usually on a weekend close to New Year, and Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham and other cities hold their own events. Check the organisers' announcements for 2027 dates, as they are set each year.
Fireworks law makes an exception for the festival: in England and Wales, fireworks can be let off until 1am on the night of Chinese New Year instead of the usual 11pm (GOV.UK). The same exception applies on Diwali and New Year's Eve. For other festivals see important dates, find the festival on the 2027 calendar, or check the time in China right now on the world clock.
Frequently asked questions
What animal is 2027 in the Chinese zodiac?
2027 is the Year of the Goat, also called the Sheep or Ram. It starts on 6 February 2027 and runs until 25 January 2028.
What is my animal if I was born in January?
The animal changes at Chinese New Year, not on 1 January. If you were born in January or early February before that year's New Year, you belong to the previous year's animal.
Is Chinese New Year a bank holiday in the UK?
No. Chinese New Year is not a bank holiday in the UK, but fireworks are allowed until 1am that night.
How long does Chinese New Year last?
The festival lasts 15 days, ending with the Lantern Festival. In 2027 that is Saturday 20 February.
When was Chinese New Year 2026?
Chinese New Year 2026 was Tuesday 17 February, the start of the Year of the Horse.