Lunar New Year 2027: date, Year of the Goat and traditions

The short answer: Lunar New Year 2027 falls on Saturday, February 6, 2027, the first day of the Year of the Goat. Lunar New Year's Eve is Friday, February 5. The holiday marks the start of a new year on the lunar calendar and is celebrated by Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean and many other communities around the world.

Here are the dates, the zodiac animal, the main traditions and easy ways to celebrate at home.

Hosting a reunion dinner? The Holiday Season Bundle has menu and guest planning pages, and the Christmas Budget & Gift Planner can track red envelope and gift budgets, too.

Lunar New Year 2027 at a glance

The Smithsonian's Year of the Goat guide notes that the goat stands for kindness, peace and inner strength.

What the Year of the Goat means

The goat is the eighth animal in the 12-year zodiac cycle. People born in Goat years, such as 2015, 2003 and 1991, are often described as gentle, creative and caring. The zodiac also cycles through five elements, which is why 2027 is called a Fire Goat year. Many people see it as a good year to slow down, build close relationships and make time for art and family.

Lunar New Year dates for the next few years

The date changes because the holiday follows the moon. It begins on the new moon that falls between late January and mid-February.

What is Lunar New Year?

Britannica's overview of Chinese New Year describes it as the most important holiday in China. It is also called the Spring Festival. Families come together, honor their ancestors and welcome good luck for the year ahead.

"Lunar New Year" is the wider name. It includes Chinese New Year, Tết in Vietnam and Seollal in Korea. These often fall on the same day but have their own foods and customs.

Lunar New Year 2027 countdown

Lunar New Year's Day is Saturday, February 6, 2027, and the festival runs about 15 days, so the last day, the Lantern Festival, falls on Saturday, February 20, 2027. Use this countdown to spread out the preparation.

The dates also appear on our February 2027 calendar, and the full 2027 calendar shows how the year lines up with the next Lunar New Year on January 26, 2028.

Lunar New Year traditions

• Cleaning the house: sweeping away bad luck before the new year starts.
• Red decorations: red lanterns, paper cuts and couplets for luck and happiness.
• Reunion dinner: a big family meal on New Year's Eve.
• Red envelopes: money in red envelopes for children and younger family members.
• Fireworks and firecrackers: to scare away bad spirits.
• Lion and dragon dances: parades with drums and cymbals.
• Visiting family: the first days of the new year are for visits and greetings.
• Lantern Festival: the last day, with lanterns and sweet rice balls.

Lucky Lunar New Year foods

Many foods are chosen because their names or shapes stand for good things.

1. Dumplings: shaped like old silver ingots, for wealth.
2. Whole fish: the word for fish sounds like "surplus" in Chinese.
3. Long noodles: for a long life. Don't cut them!
4. Rice cake (nian gao): for a higher, better year.
5. Oranges and tangerines: for luck and wealth.
6. Spring rolls: shaped like gold bars.
7. Sweet rice balls (tangyuan): for family togetherness, eaten at the Lantern Festival.

How to celebrate Lunar New Year at home

You don't have to be an expert to join in. Here is a simple plan for families.

1. Clean and tidy the house a day or two before.
2. Hang red decorations or make paper lanterns with kids.
3. Cook or order a few lucky foods for a reunion dinner.
4. Fill red envelopes with crisp bills or coins for the kids.
5. Watch a local lion dance or parade.
6. Read a picture book about the Year of the Goat.
7. Call or visit older relatives to wish them a happy new year.

A common greeting in Mandarin is "Xīnnián kuàilè," which means "Happy New Year." In Cantonese, people often say "Gung hei fat choy," a wish for wealth and prosperity.

Lunar New Year on a budget

Red envelopes, food and travel can add up. Set an amount for each red envelope before you start, and plan the reunion dinner menu ahead. Potluck-style dinners and homemade decorations keep costs low. Our holiday budget guide shows how to plan for back-to-back celebrations in winter.

Lunar New Year is one of several observances this month. See our full list of February holidays.