When is Lunar New Year 2026? How to celebrate

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Though Valentine's Day is right around the corner, for those celebrating Lunar New Year, 2026 technically hasn't even arrived.

The holiday, widely celebrated by the Asian diaspora in the U.S. and in Asian countries, typically falls in late January or early February each year and has no set date. This is because the lunisolar calendar depends on the phases of the moon.

Each year, the 15-day celebration signifies the beginning of a new year and honors family traditions and values. Arguably the most important holiday in many Asian cultures, Lunar New Year is a time-honored tradition when families gather, share reunion meals and reflect on the year past.

Here's what to know about Lunar New Year 2026, how to observe it in Virginia and whether non-Asians can celebrate the tradition.

Is it Lunar New Year or Chinese New Year?

Both terms are commonly accepted, but "Lunar New Year" is more inclusive regarding other Asian cultures, as many countries besides China also celebrate the holiday. The term "Chinese New Year" can be used when speaking with Chinese descendants or referring to the specific holiday celebrated in China.

Also known as the Spring Festival, the holiday is called "Tet" or "Tết Nguyên Đán" in Vietnamese and "Seollal" in Korean. The festival is also observed in other Asian countries such as Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia.

Why is it the Year of the Horse?

In the lunar calendar, Feb. 17 marks the first date of the 2026 lunar year or the Year of the Horse. This is because each year in the 12-year cycle of the lunar calendar correlates with one of the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, ram, monkey, rooster, dog and pig, per The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

These animals may vary between cultures. For instance, the Vietnamese zodiac uses a cat instead of a rabbit and a goat instead of a ram. Similarly, instead of a ram, the Korean zodiac uses a sheep.

How to celebrate Lunar New Year?

Those looking to celebrate the Lunar New Year have some activities to choose from across Virginia.

The Eden Center in Falls Church will host an annual Tet celebration with lion dances, red envelopes and festivities on Feb. 17, between noon and 5 p.m. In Roanoke, the Taubman Museum of Art will hold a Lunar New Year celebration on Feb. 21 at 1 p.m., with martial arts performances, artwork displays and more.

In the Richmond area, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts recently hosted ChinaFest: Year of the Fire Horse on Feb. 7. The family-friendly celebration featured dance performances, art activities and collaborative projects for community members.

Additionally, local temples and Asian community centers typically host gatherings to celebrate the Lunar New Year.

Folks celebrating the holiday at home can kick off the new year by observing many traditions -- and some superstitions -- including cleaning your home to remove bad luck, exchanging red envelopes with "lucky money," decorating with red, avoiding haircuts on New Year's Day and more.

Can non-Asians celebrate Lunar New Year?

Yes, non-Asians can celebrate the holiday by participating in Lunar New Year festivities, supporting local Asian-owned businesses and honoring and respecting cultural traditions. The holiday emphasizes community and family and welcomes respectful participation from all backgrounds.