In the US, it’s one in all our annual holidays as we speak, Presidents’ Day, which celebrates the handfuls of American presidents we’ve had over the centuries. However on the opposite facet of the world, an excellent bigger vacation is kicking off: Chinese language New 12 months. Right here’s what you have to know concerning the pageant and its significance to the hundreds of thousands of Chinese language Individuals in the US.
What’s Chinese language New 12 months?
Chinese language New 12 months, often known as the Lunar New 12 months or, in China, the Spring Competition, is an annual vacation that marks the start of the brand new lunar yr. In contrast to many Western holidays, the lunar new yr doesn’t have a set date. As a substitute, it sometimes falls on the complete moon closest to Spring.
However the Lunar New 12 months is just the start of the festivities in China. It kicks off the start of the Spring Competition, which continues for the primary week of the brand new yr. Given the cultural significance of the vacation interval, a whole bunch of hundreds of thousands of Chinese language journey annually to be with their households and family members, making it the world’s largest annual migration occasion.
As Reuters notes, the Lunar New 12 months journey interval formally started on February 2 and can run for 40 days. Throughout this time, Chinese language officers estimate that 9.5 billion home journeys shall be made associated to the vacation interval. That’s practically half a billion extra journeys than final yr.
When is Chinese language New 12 months?
This yr, the Lunar New 12 months falls on Tuesday, February 17 in China. However, as with the Gregorian New 12 months on January 1, celebrants maintain festivities the night time earlier than, main as much as midnight.
On this approach, Lunar New 12 months’s Eve falls on Monday, February 16 in China, simply as New 12 months’s Eve is well known on December 31 within the West.
Nonetheless, as a result of China is 13 to 18 hours forward of America, each Lunar New 12 months’s Eve and Lunar New 12 months’s Day in China fall on Monday, February 16, in the US. Nonetheless, many who rejoice the festivities in America usually stick to the native time zone midnight divide.
What’s the importance of the horse?
Every new Lunar New 12 months is represented by one in all 12 animals. The animals correspond to the Chinese language Zodiac.
This yr, for the Lunar New 12 months that commenses on February 17, is the 12 months of the Horse. The horse represents onerous work, bravery, and resilience, according to the Smithsonian.
Are companies closed on Chinese language New 12 months or Chinese language New 12 months’s Eve in America?
In most years, often not. Whereas hundreds of thousands of Individuals rejoice the Chinese language New 12 months, it’s not an official federal or state vacation. Nonetheless, as Lunar New 12 months’s Eve 2026 falls on as we speak, the identical day as Presidents’ Day 2026 in America, the identical companies and establishments which are closed for Presidents’ Day will even be closed on Chinese language New 12 months’s Eve.
Quick Firm has a rundown of the companies and authorities places of work which are closed on Presidents’ Day.
The place can I rejoice Chinese language New 12 months?
Tens of millions of Individuals rejoice the Chinese language New 12 months yearly. As with the Gregorian New 12 months, many select to rejoice it of their properties with their households.
Nonetheless, public Chinese language New 12 months celebration occasions are held throughout America as effectively. When you’ve obtained a Chinatown in your space, it’s price popping by to see what festivities are being held.
