- Chinese New Year 2027 is Saturday, 6 February 2027, the first day of the Year of the Fire Goat.
- The public-holiday length varies by country: about three days in Singapore, four in Hong Kong, two (plus a substitute day) in Malaysia, and roughly a week in mainland China once the 2027 schedule is confirmed.
- Top places to celebrate include Singapore, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok’s Chinatown, and mainland China.
- This is one of the world’s busiest travel windows, so book flights and hotels months in advance.
Chinese New Year 2027 dates
In 2027, the Chinese New Year or the Spring Festival will be celebrated on the 6th of February. It starts with the onset of the Little Year and culminates in the Lantern Festival.
The Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, is marked by a long list of specific festivities and observance of traditions in the days leading up to the Spring Festival and following New Year’s Day.
Since the New Year holiday is on the second new moon after the winter solstice (December 21), it varies from year to year.
Important dates and festivities
January 30th: Little Year (小年 / xiǎo nián)
Lunar date: December 23rd
© Wikimedia Commons
The Little Year on 30 January will kick off the Chinese New Year 2027 festivities. It is a day of prayer ceremonies, and people clean their houses on this day to keep bad luck at bay.
There is a popular Cantonese saying, “Wash away the dirt on nin ya baat (the 28th day of month 12)”. A special stove candy made of malt, also termed sugar melons, is also prepared on this particular day.
February 5th: New Year’s Eve (除夕 / chúxì)
Lunar date: December 30th
New Year’s Eve, or the 30th of the year, is widely known as the day of the primary meal of the year or the annual Reunion Dinner – somewhat comparable to the Thanksgiving Dinner in Western culture.
After dinner, families stay awake till midnight to welcome the new year together.
February 6th: Spring Festival (春节 / chūn jié)
Lunar date: January 1st
The Chinese New Year Day, or the Day of the Spring Festival, officially begins at midnight. The night sky is lit up with glittering colors of fireworks as friends and family greet each other and pray for the well-being of the elderly in the family.
February 7th: To the in-laws’ (迎婿日 / yíng xù rì)
Lunar date: January 2nd
On this day, traditionally, married daughters would pay a visit to their paternal house along with their husband and children.
© A Leslie Wong Blog
February 8th: Day of the Rat (鼠日 / shǔ rì)
Lunar date: January 3rd
As the folk tales go, people believe that rats marry on this particular day and hence would leave small crumbs of food around the corner of their houses to feed their rats.
In rural areas, people also burn paper offerings over trash fires as it is the day of Chikou or Red Mouth (the God of Blazing Wrath). Some would also start worshipping the God of Wealth from this day on.
February 9th: Day of the Sheep (羊日 / yáng rì)
Lunar date: January 4th
As sheep were created on the 4th day of the year as per Chinese mythology, it is known as the Day of the Sheep. The five gods are welcomed on this day with three tables of food, one of kumquats and sugarcanes, the second of cake, and the other of main course with pig, fish, chicken, and soup.
February 10th: Break Five (破五 / pò wǔ)
Lunar date: January 5th
Once the prayers for the God of Wealth conclude, shops and businesses would open up to usher in a new wave of wealth and prosperity. People would mark the day by eating jiaozi and dumplings.
February 11th: Day of the Horse (马日 / mǎ rì)
Lunar date: January 6th
© Wikimedia Commons
Most of the official work restarts on this day in the business world after the ‘Break Five’. A common belief is that throwing away all old things on this day would ring out the spirit of Poverty.
February 12th: Day of the Human (人日 / rén rì)
Lunar date: January 7th
Renri was considered by the Chinese to be the day that humans were first formed. Nüwa, a goddess in Chinese mythology, is credited with creating the universe.
On various days, she created animals, and on the seventh day, she created people.
Chinese people believe that if Renri falls on a sunny day, it heralds a prosperous new year, good fortune, and harmony. Giving birth on this day was considered a wonderful and joyous occasion for a lady.
February 13th: Day of the Millet (谷日节 / gǔ rì jié)
Lunar date: January 8th
At places where stores didn’t open after the first three days of celebration, they would start resuming business on this day onwards. Grain, being highly valued in Chinese society for ages, some would host lunch or dinners while others make an effort to enrich their knowledge of agriculture by visiting rural areas.
February 14th: Providence Health (天公生 / tiān gōng shēng)
Lunar date: January 9th
The sovereign ruler – Jade Emperor is said to have been born on this day. So, all activities revolve around worshipping the highest God of the Universe.
For Hokkien people, the day is even more significant than the day of the Chinese New Year itself.
February 20th: Lantern Festival (元宵节 / yuán xiāo jié)
Lunar date: January 15th
The Lantern Festival, or the “Shangyuan Festival” or Yuan Xiao Festival, sees people hitting the streets with their lanterns as thousands of floating lanterns gradually festoon the evening sky, filling it with brightness and bringing happiness to the hearts of the people.
Being a full moon day, moon-gazing while flying your lanterns makes for a more awesome end to the festival. Desserts of glutinous rice balls called yuan xiao (same as the festival) are enjoyed on the day.
Chinese New Year 2027 animal
Every Chinese year is identified with a Zodiac sign, a repeating 12-year cycle of animals: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig.
Chinese Year 2027 is the year of the Fire Goat (also known as the Sheep or Ram).
Chinese New Year 2027 public holidays
The public holiday is not the same length everywhere. Here is how the main markets line up for 2027.
Zodiac: Fire Goat (Sheep / Ram)
New Year’s Eve: Friday, 5 February 2027
Length: typically 7 to 9 days
Note: exact 2027 dates confirmed by the State Council in late 2026
In lieu: Monday, 8 February
Effective break: about 3 days
Substitute: Monday, 8 February in most states
Exception: Kelantan and Terengganu mark day 1 only
Why: day 4 (9 Feb) substitutes for the Sunday
Effective break: about 4 days (Sat to Tue)
Travel for Chinese New Year 2027
Chinese New Year is celebrated worldwide, yet the atmosphere is strongest across Asia. These are five of the best bases for 2027.
- Singapore: Expect the Chinatown street light-up, the River Hongbao carnival by the bay, and the dazzling Chingay Parade. Home carrier Singapore Airlines links the city to the rest of the region, and hotels in Singapore book out fast over the long weekend.
- Hong Kong: The city puts on a night parade in Tsim Sha Tsui, a huge fireworks display over Victoria Harbour, and flower markets in the days before the new year. Look for hotels in Hong Kong on both Hong Kong Island and Kowloon.
- Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia blends Chinese, Malay, and Indian cultures, so celebrations feel especially warm here. Visit Thean Hou Temple for lanterns and prayers, and base yourself at hotels in Kuala Lumpur near the city centre.
- Bangkok: The Yaowarat district, Bangkok’s Chinatown, erupts with lion dances, food stalls, and red decorations. It is one of Southeast Asia’s liveliest street celebrations.
- Mainland China: Beijing’s temple fairs and the lantern-lit old towns are unforgettable, though this is also the peak of domestic travel, so plan carefully and book early.
How do people celebrate Chinese New Year?
During this course of the Chinese New Year celebration, mainland China enjoys a week-long holiday known as the Golden Week. Holidays in the Philippines, South Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, and others observe one to three days of holiday during Chinese New Year.
Every corner gives it away, from bylanes to home interiors. From the iconic red decorations to massive parades, from homecoming to lantern lighting, here’s how the Chinese carry out the exuberant celebrations during their New Year, a festival with over 3,000 years of history.
Chinese New Year decorations
Families perform spring cleaning around the house and get busy adorning the space with festive decorations. Red is the dominating color during the festival, as it is considered auspicious.
So, you’d find red lanterns and posters in every shop and household.
Red Spring Festival couplets are pasted at entrances as a sign of good luck in the coming year. You’d also find ‘Fu’ character pictures and red window paper-cuts amidst the decorations as a sign of prosperity.
2027, being the year of the Goat, many decorations would also feature the animal sign.
Family reunion dinner
Homecoming is primary in the celebration of Chinese New Year, as families gather for the annual sumptuous reunion dinner on New Year’s Eve. Most feasts also include a communal hot pot, which signifies the family’s coming together for dinner.
Fish is a staple; however, it will not be polished off as people go by the belief ‘let there be surplus every year’ (“surplus” and “fish” sound the same in Chinese). Dumplings and rice cakes are also indispensable for most people.
Firecrackers color the sky towards the end of the day to welcome the New Year and do away with all things old and evil. In Mainland China and many places where the Chinese diaspora congregates, the night will be spent watching CCTV’s New Year’s Gala, arguably the most-watched show in the world, bringing celebrations to home with a live broadcast of musical and dance performances.
Gifts and red envelopes
Chinese New Year is also the time of gift exchanging, and red envelopes gifted during this time of the year are said to herald good luck. As generations progressed, people welcomed newer ways of exchanging wishes and gifts.
One common practice these days is to send digital red envelopes.
The children would also be gifted ‘luck’ money by the elders, wrapped in red packets, which they can later spend on toys, clothes, snacks, or even save up for future educational needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What zodiac animal is 2027?
2027 is the Year of the Goat, also called the Sheep or Ram. In the 60-year cycle it is a Fire Goat (or Red Goat) year, so the governing element is fire.
How do you greet Happy New Year to your Chinese friends?
In Mandarin, you can say gong xi fa cai (恭喜发财) to wish someone a prosperous New Year. Alternatively, you can simply say xin nian kuai le (新年快乐), meaning “happy new year.
How long is the Chinese New Year holiday in 2027?
It depends on the country. Singapore has about three days off, Hong Kong about four, and Malaysia two days plus a substitute in most states.
Mainland China usually has seven to nine days, with the exact 2027 schedule confirmed by the State Council in late 2026.
Sources
- China Highlights — Chinese New Year Calendar 2027: Key Dates and Customs
- FoyoChinaTrip — Chinese New Year 2027 Day-by-Day Traditions and What to Expect
- Smithsonian Institution — 2027: Year of the Goat
- Chinese Fortune Calendar — Chinese New Year 2027, Year of the Fire Goat
- Wikipedia — Little New Year (Xiaonian)
- Daojishi321 Chinese Calendar — 2027 Northern Little Year (Xiaonian) Countdown
- PublicHolidays.cn — Golden Week 2026, 2027 and 2028
- Guinness World Records — Most Watched National Network TV Broadcast (CCTV Spring Festival Gala)
- TravelChinaGuide — The Origin and History of Chinese New Year
Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.
