culture & tradition · China
Chinese New Year (Spring Festival)
春节
The short answer
The most important holiday in China, marked by family reunion dinners, red envelopes, temple fairs and fireworks, and by the world's largest annual travel rush.
Where
nationwide
Country
China
When
annual, 1st day of the 1st lunar month (late January to mid-February); celebrations run to the Lantern Festival on the 15th day
Last held
2026-02-17 to 2026-02-23
Next edition
2027-02-06 to 2027-02-13
Next dates are
calendar
Visitors
9.41 billion inter-regional passenger trips during the 40-day travel rush, 2 February to 13 March 2026 (official data via Xinhua)
Good to know
Dates shown are New Year's Day to the end of the official mainland holiday. 2026 holiday: nine days ending 23 February (New Year's Day 17 February). 2027: New Year's Day is 6 February; the State Council notice of 5 November 2026 sets the holiday at 5-13 February, with make-up working days on 31 January and 14 February. Trains and flights sell out and many small shops and restaurants close for several days. Also a public holiday in Taiwan (about 4-10 February 2027), Hong Kong (6, 8 and 9 February 2027) and Macau.
Kungfucius says: The world's largest annual migration, all of it heading home for dinner.