Chinese New Year 2027 — also called Lunar New Year 2027 and Spring Festival — begins on Saturday, February 6, 2027, the first day of the first lunar month. It is the Year of the Goat in the Chinese zodiac, and the start of the 15-day Spring Festival. New Year’s Eve falls on Friday, February 5.
The date, in detail
Chinese New Year is the first day of the Chinese lunar year. The date is set by the second new moon after the winter solstice (or the third in some years), and it moves between January 21 and February 20. In 2027 it lands on February 6, a Saturday. The previous day, February 5, is Chinese New Year’s Eve, the main reunion-dinner night. Dates on this page use China Standard Time (UTC+8).
The festival is often called Spring Festival (春節, Chūnjié) in mainland China. In English, “Chinese New Year” and “Lunar New Year” are both used, though the latter is broader and includes Korean, Vietnamese and other lunar new year traditions. CNY 2027 is a common shorthand for the Chinese New Year date.
| Event | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Eve | Friday, February 5, 2027 | Reunion dinner; the last day of the Horse year. |
| Chinese New Year | Saturday, February 6, 2027 | First day of the Goat year. |
| Lantern Festival | Saturday, February 20, 2027 | 15th day; closes the Spring Festival. |
| Goat year ends | January 25, 2028 | The Monkey year begins January 26, 2028. |
What the Year of the Goat means
The Goat is the eighth sign, associated with the earthly branch 未 (wèi), the late afternoon, the south-southwest and the fixed element earth. In the traditional personality portrait it is gentle, creative, empathetic and quietly persistent. The sign is often underestimated because its strength does not announce itself.
2027 is a yin fire year on top of the Goat's earth. Traditional readings sometimes describe that combination as warm but steady — fire above earth. It is a folk reading, not a forecast. The full sign profile, years and compatibility are on the Year of the Goat 2027 page.
The festival timeline
The dates below follow the 2027 lunar calendar. Customs vary by region and family; this is the common shape of the festival, not a universal rulebook.
February 5 · New Year’s Eve
Reunion dinner
Families gather for the year’s most important meal. Red couplets and lanterns are already up; fireworks and the Spring Festival Gala fill the evening in many households.
February 6 · Day 1
New Year’s Day
Greetings, red envelopes and visits to elders. The Year of the Goat begins. Many people avoid sweeping or breaking things on this day.
February 7–8 · Days 2–3
Visiting and quiet days
Married daughters may visit their parents; other families stay home. Day 3 is often treated as a quieter “red dog” day in some traditions.
February 10 · Day 5
Breaking the fifth
A northern Chinese tradition: dumplings, firecrackers and a welcome for the God of Wealth. Business reopening customs cluster around this date.
February 12 · Day 7
Renri, the people’s birthday
A day traditionally said to mark the creation of humanity, often observed with seven-vegetable soup and family meals.
February 14 · Day 9
Jade Emperor’s birthday
A significant date in traditions that honor the Jade Emperor, with offerings and temple visits.
February 20 · Day 15
Lantern Festival
Lanterns, riddles, dragon dances and sweet glutinous rice balls. The festival ends with the first full moon of the lunar year.
Preparing for 2027
- Know which day is the main holiday. February 5–6 are the core dates; the wider public holiday is set by each government and can change. Check official notices before booking transport.
- Book travel early. The Spring Festival travel rush (chunyun) is one of the largest annual human migrations. Trains and flights sell out weeks or months ahead.
- Expect closures. Small businesses, restaurants and offices may close for days. Larger cities are easier to navigate, but hours still change.
- Learn a greeting. “Xīnnián kuàilè” (新年快乐) means “Happy New Year.” For the Goat year, “Yáng nián dàjí” (羊年大吉) is a common auspicious greeting.
- Respect local customs. Taboos and gift conventions vary. If invited to a family home, ask your host what would be appropriate rather than assuming.
The zodiac cutoff
The Goat year begins on February 6, 2027, not on January 1. A baby born on February 5 is still a Horse by the popular convention; a baby born on February 6 is a Goat. The same rule applies to anyone checking their own sign. Use the date-based calculator if the birthday is near the boundary.
Some Chinese astrology uses Li Chun, “Start of Spring,” around February 4, instead. That does not make one answer “wrong” in every context; it reflects a different convention. This site uses Chinese New Year for the popular zodiac question and says so.
Source note
Dates are from the Hong Kong Observatory's Gregorian–Lunar Calendar Conversion Table for 2027. The table marks February 6 as the first day of the first lunar month and February 20 as the 15th day.
Public-holiday arrangements are not fixed by the lunar calendar and are announced separately by each government. This page does not promise a specific public-holiday schedule.
Common questions
When is Chinese New Year 2027?
It falls on Saturday, February 6, 2027. New Year’s Eve is February 5, and the Lantern Festival closes the celebrations on February 20, 2027.
What animal is 2027?
2027 is the Year of the Goat (羊, yáng). Its full sexagenary name is Ding Wei (丁未), a yin fire year. English sources also call it the Year of the Sheep or Ram.
How long is the 2027 Spring Festival?
The traditional festival runs for 15 days, from February 6 to February 20, 2027. Public holidays are shorter and vary by country; check local government notices before planning travel.
Is 2027 a good year for the Goat?
2027 is the Goat’s own zodiac year, called ben ming nian in the traditional system. Folk custom often wears red, but there is no evidence that the year determines your luck. Treat the label as a cultural marker, not a forecast.
What is “CNY 2027”?
CNY is a common abbreviation for Chinese New Year. CNY 2027 refers to the festival beginning February 6, 2027, and the Year of the Goat that runs until January 25, 2028.
Should I travel to China for Chinese New Year 2027?
It is one of the busiest travel periods in the world. Expect crowded transport, closed or shortened business hours and higher prices around the holiday. If you go, book well ahead and check the actual public-holiday schedule, which is announced closer to the date.