Lunar New Year is the biggest holiday in much of Asia. In 2027 it falls on Saturday, 6 February, starting the Year of the Goat and fifteen days of family reunions, dragon dances, temple blessings and night markets that end with the Lantern Festival on 20 February.
Where you spend Chinese New Year 2027 matters. Mainland China goes through the world's biggest yearly travel rush (Chunyun), with sold-out trains and shuttered family restaurants, while Singapore, Penang, Hong Kong and Taipei welcome visitors with spectacular public celebrations.
Planning a winter getaway? See our guide to the best places to visit in February to compare Southeast Asia with other warm destinations. Below are the festival dates, the best cities to celebrate in, the main customs and booking tips for 2027.
Festival calendar for Chinese New Year 2027
The lunar calendar determines the dates of the celebration each year:
- Friday, 5 February 2027 (New Year's Eve): Families gather for their reunion dinner (Nian Ye Fan). Temples open their gates at midnight. You'll see worshippers rush to plant the first incense sticks of the New Year for good fortune.
- Saturday, 6 February 2027 (Day 1 - Spring Festival): The first official day of the Lunar New Year. People wear brand-new red clothing and greet relatives with auspicious wishes (Gong Xi Fa Cai). Children receive red envelopes filled with crisp cash (Hongbao / Ang Pao).
- Sunday, 7 February 2027 (Day 2): Traditional visits to maternal relatives take place. In Hong Kong, an enormous fireworks display lights up Victoria Harbour in the evening.
- Monday, 8 February to Tuesday, 9 February 2027 (Days 3 & 4): Because the first two days fall on a weekend, many places add days off here. Singapore's list is on the Ministry of Manpower site and Hong Kong's on GovHK. Shopping plazas and street parades run at full speed.
- Sunday, 14 February 2027 (Day 9 - Jade Emperor's Birthday): A major celebration for the Hokkien community. Thousands gather at midnight around incense tables piled high with roast pork, sugar cane, and pineapples.
- Saturday, 20 February 2027 (Day 15 - Lantern Festival): The final night of the New Year cycle. It's marked by glowing lantern displays, riddle-solving, and eating sweet glutinous rice balls (tangyuan).
Best places to experience Chinese New Year 2027
Each city celebrates in its own way. Here's where to go:
Singapore: River Hongbao and Chinatown Light-up
For international visitors, Singapore is the easiest place to enjoy Lunar New Year.
- Chinatown Street Light-up: Weeks before New Year's Eve, Eu Tong Sen Street and South Bridge Road are decorated with thousands of glowing red lanterns. The outdoor night markets feature stalls selling sweet barbecued pork jerky (bakkwa), pineapple tarts, and paper banners.
- River Hongbao: Staged at Gardens by the Bay, this free community festival has towering lantern sets, rides, fireworks and food stalls.
- Chingay Parade: Asia's largest street performance and float carnival, held at the F1 Pit Building about a week or two after New Year's Day.
Dates and venues are on the Singapore Tourism Board website.
Penang, Malaysia: Kek Lok Si Temple and Hokkien New Year
In Penang, the historic capital of George Town puts on one of Asia's most authentic celebrations.
- Kek Lok Si Temple Illumination: Southeast Asia's largest Buddhist temple complex, perched on the hills of Air Itam, turns on over 10,000 hanging lanterns and neon lights every night throughout the month. You'll feel like you're gazing at a floating palace of golden light.
- Clan Jetties celebration (Day 9): On the evening of the eighth lunar day, the Hokkien community at Chew Jetty erects a massive 100-meter altar over the water to honor the Jade Emperor (Thnee Kong). Lion dancers balance on high poles while continuous strings of firecrackers crackle into the morning air.
Taipei, Taiwan: Dihua Street and Pingxi Sky Lanterns
Taipei combines historic culinary traditions with mountain festival gatherings:
- Dihua Street Lunar New Year Market: Located in Taipei's historic Dadaocheng district, Dihua Street becomes packed with shoppers sampling dried fruits, festive candies, Taiwanese tea, and cured sausages from enthusiastic vendors.
- Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival: On the 15th day of the New Year, thousands of visitors gather in the mountain valley of Pingxi and Shifen. Revelers paint personal wishes onto giant paper lanterns before releasing them into the night sky. That's a scene you won't forget.
Hong Kong: Night Parades and Victoria Harbour fireworks
Hong Kong pairs ancient Taoist temple rituals with modern harbor spectacles:
- Cathay International Chinese New Year Night Parade: Staged in Tsim Sha Tsui on New Year's night, featuring international marching bands, costumed acrobats, and illuminated floats.
- Lunar New Year Fireworks Display: On the second evening of the holiday, barges moored in Victoria Harbour launch a half-hour pyrotechnic show synchronized to music against the skyline.
- Wong Tai Sin & Che Kung Temples: Hundreds of thousands of devotees spin bronze windmill charms at Che Kung Temple to turn their luck around for the coming twelve months.
Comparing the top celebration destinations
Here's how the top cities compare for a 2027 trip:
| Destination | Atmosphere & focus | Best highlight for visitors | Transport & business access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Singapore | Polished, multicultural, English-friendly | River Hongbao & Chinatown light-up | MRT subway operates normally; malls stay open |
| Penang, Malaysia | Historic, food-centric, spiritual | 10,000 lanterns at Kek Lok Si Temple | Heritage streets walkable; street food active |
| Hong Kong | Grand harbor spectacles & parades | Victoria Harbour fireworks show | MTR transit smooth; main attractions open Day 2 |
| Taipei, Taiwan | Night markets & mountain lantern releases | Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival | High-speed rail connects easily to night markets |
Cultural customs and essential etiquette
A few customs are worth knowing:
- The Yusheng / Lo Hei toss: In Singapore and Malaysia, dining groups order Yusheng, a raw fish salad with shredded vegetables and sweet plum sauce. Everyone stands, gathers chopsticks, and tosses the ingredients high into the air while shouting auspicious wishes (Lo Hei). The higher you toss, the greater your fortune.
- Wear bright red or gold: Red symbolizes good luck, happiness, and prosperity. Avoid wearing all-black or all-white outfits during the first three days of the New Year, as these colors are traditionally associated with mourning.
- Never sweep or clean on Day 1: In Chinese folklore, sweeping the floor or taking out the trash on the first day of the year sweeps away newly arrived good luck.
- Giving Hongbao: If you're married, you're traditionally expected to hand red envelopes containing crisp paper notes to unmarried younger relatives, children, and building concierges. Don't give amounts with the number four, which sounds like death; stick to even numbers ending in eight.
Chinese New Year 2027 public holidays and closures
Plan around the closures:
- What closes: Government offices, consulates, local banks, and small mom-and-pop restaurants usually close from the afternoon of New Year's Eve through Day 3 (5–8 February 2027).
- What stays open: Major international hotels, convenience stores, large shopping malls, public transit systems, and international airport terminals operate normally.
- Flight and hotel bookings: Flights connecting major Asian capitals over New Year week sell out rapidly. As of October 2026, travel agents recommend booking your flights and city hotels at least 4 to 6 months in advance.
- Trip planning: You can map out your daily festival schedule and restaurant stops using our interactive trip planner.
Check public notices and transport updates on Singapore Government Online.
Frequently asked questions
What zodiac animal is celebrated in 2027?
Chinese New Year 2027 marks the Year of the Goat (also referred to as the Year of the Sheep or Ram). It stands for peace, kindness and creativity.
Can non-Chinese visitors participate in temple rituals?
Yes, visitors of all backgrounds are warmly welcomed at Buddhist and Taoist temples across Singapore, Penang, Hong Kong, and Taipei. Dress respectfully with covered shoulders and knees, and follow local worshippers when placing incense sticks.
Is mainland China recommended for first-time visitors during Chinese New Year?
Unless you're visiting family, traveling through mainland China during Chunyun can be challenging due to sold-out bullet trains and closed neighborhood restaurants. Regional hubs like Singapore, Penang, and Hong Kong offer easier travel logistics while maintaining rich festival traditions.
How do I say Happy New Year in Mandarin and Cantonese?
In Mandarin, greet locals with "Xin Nian Kuai Le" (Happy New Year) or "Gong Xi Fa Cai" (Wishing you prosperity). In Cantonese, say "San Nin Fai Lok" or "Kung Hei Fat Choy".
