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Everything you need to know about Chinese New Year 2026 and celebrations in Belfast
Need to know
In 2026, the Lunar New Year begins on February 17 but falls on a different date every year
Chinese New Year 2026 officially begins on Tuesday, February 17, marking the transition into the Year of the Fire Horse. This vibrant global festival focuses on family reunions, cultural heritage, and the promise of a prosperous year ahead.
- The Year of the Fire Horse officially gallops into view on February 17, 2026 – a symbol of movement, freedom, vitality, and new journeys. This particular zodiac combination, which occurs only once every 60 years, is traditionally associated with passion, decisive action, and swift progress.
- Chinese New Year is also known as Lunar New Year and Spring Festival. The date typically falls on the closest new moon to the start of spring, so the celebrations are also known as the Spring Festival.
- In Chinese culture, spring starts when the sun is at a longitude of 315 degrees so New Year always falls sometime between January 21 and February 20 and is generally at the time of the second new moon after Winter Solstice. The celebrations last for 16 days, starting on Chinese New Year’s Eve and concluding with a Lantern Festival (this year on March 3), marking the first full moon of the lunar year.
- The Chinese zodiac follows a 12-year cycle, with different animals represented, each paired with one of the five elements: wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. This year, the horse joins the fire element.
- Major celebrations are planned in Belfast providing an opportunity for people to engage with diverse cultures and their rich traditions.
- Upcoming events include on February 16 when the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Belfast will be hosting their annual gala dinner to celebrate the Chinese New Year.
- On February 22, the Chinese New Year celebration is back again at the Ulster Hall with two performances rich in colours and culture with over 10 global dances and music at 1:30pm and 5pm. More details here.
- The Chinese Associations in Queen’s University and Ulster University will also be hosting events.
- Belfast City Council will light up the City Hall building in China red on February 16 for the 10th consecutive year.
- You can also experience the magic of Lunar New Year at Titanic Belfast through colour, culture and storytelling. You’ll also have the chance to discover the stories of the eight Chinese men who sailed on RMS Titanic, offering a fascinating glimpse into a lesser-known part of the ship’s global story. More details here.
- Two Chinese New Year events are happening at Templemore Baths Heritage Centre on Friday, February 20. There’ll be a film screening of Ride On at 7pm and earlier at 5pm join Weihong Tu from Arts Ekta for a fun afternoon of learning basic Chinese Calligraphy. More details here.
- The Silk Road Supper Club brings together the vibrant flavours, rituals, and stories of Chinese New Year in a beautifully curated dining experience on Saturday, February 21 at 7pm in Neighbourhood Cafe. More details here.
Read more here: Belfast’s Chinese New Year celebrations ‘represent goodwill and true friendship’
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