Lunar New Year 2026 Celebrations Reach Peak with Global Parades and Family Reunions
Published Date: 17th Feb, 2026
February 17, 2026
Communities worldwide marked the first full day of the Lunar New Year today, ushering in the Year of the Horse with traditional festivities, elaborate parades, temple rituals, and family gatherings. The holiday, widely observed as Spring Festival or Chinese New Year, began at the lunar new moon on February 17, 2026, and will continue for 15 days until the Lantern Festival on March 3.
In mainland China, millions traveled home during the annual Chunyun migration, with high-speed rail stations and airports reporting near-capacity crowds. Beijing's Temple of Heaven and Shanghai's Yu Garden hosted massive lantern displays and lion dance performances, while Hong Kong's Victoria Harbour fireworks lit up the skyline for the first full-scale show since 2019. Taipei's National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall featured cultural performances and a presidential blessing from Lai Ching-te, who wished the nation “strength, freedom, and progress in the Year of the Horse.”
Across Southeast Asia, Singapore's River Hongbao and Chinatown celebrations drew record attendance with dragon boat races and floating lantern displays. In Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur's Petaling Street and Penang's George Town hosted vibrant street fairs featuring lion dances and open-air markets. Bangkok's Yaowarat Chinatown and Jakarta's Glodok district saw similar large-scale events blending Chinese traditions with local customs.
In Western cities, major Chinatowns came alive. New York City's annual Lunar New Year parade marched through Manhattan, San Francisco's Grant Avenue hosted its signature lion dance procession, and London's Trafalgar Square featured live music, martial arts demonstrations, and red lantern installations. Sydney's Lunar New Year Festival included a record-breaking dragon boat race on the harbor and a massive fireworks display over Darling Harbour.
The Year of the Horse symbolizes energy, independence, and swift progress in Chinese zodiac tradition. Families exchanged red envelopes containing money for good fortune, shared reunion dinners featuring auspicious foods such as whole fish for abundance, dumplings for wealth, and longevity noodles, and performed rituals to honor ancestors and ward off misfortune.
Economically, China's retail sales during the holiday period are projected to surpass 1.2 trillion yuan (approximately $168 billion), fueled by shopping festivals, dining, and tourism. Globally, businesses in Chinese communities reported strong consumer spending on gifts, decorations, and festive meals.
As the first major global cultural celebration of 2026, Lunar New Year has brought joy, reunion, and optimism to hundreds of millions amid ongoing international challenges. From temple blessings in Asia to virtual family gatherings across time zones, the Year of the Horse begins with hope, tradition, and renewed momentum for communities everywhere. Gong Xi Fa Cai! Xin Nian Kuai Le!
Date: 17th Feb, 2026
