Chinese New Year 17 Feb 2026

Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, marks the beginning of a new year on the traditional Chinese lunisolar calendar. This calendar follows the phases of the moon and the rhythms of the seasons. Red lanterns—like the ones shown in today"s image—are widely associated with the celebration. The holiday falls on the new moon between 21 January and 20 February and has been observed for more than 2,000 years. In 2024, UNESCO added the Spring Festival to its Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list, recognising its cultural and historical importance.

© Gins Wang/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

Let the Great Backyard Bird Count begin!
17 Feb 2024Jorvik Viking Festival
17 Feb 2025Jorvik Viking Festival

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Like paint on a canvas
29 Oct 2023Bonaventure Cemetery, Savannah, Georgia, USA
12 Nov 2023Diwali
How can we help at-risk animals?
11 Feb 2025Yungang Grottoes, Datong, China
1 Jul 2025Happy Canada Day!
Twinkle twinkle, little bugs
25 Jan 2026Burns Night
Sociable climbers
Why is this cliffside ablaze?
Aug 24, 2023Shark Fin Cove, California
10 Oct 2023Mount Sopris, Colorado, USA
22 Oct 2023Red grouse
A prehistoric pavement
17 Feb 2026Chinese New Year
25 Dec 2025Merry Christmas!
25 Jul 2025Colourful houses of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
23 Apr 2024Saint Georges Day
3 Jun 2024World Bicycle Day
Im ready for my close-up, Mr. DeSquirrel
31 Oct 2024Happy Halloween!
4 Apr 2025National Cherry Blossom Festival, Washington, DC, United States
Patchwork of peace
Hiding in the woods
The cliffs and canyons of Zion National Park
11 Feb 2026Badwater Basin, Death Valley National Park, California, USA
24 May 2026European Day of Parks
28 Dec 2024Green sea turtle
1 Mar 2024Saint Davids Day
18 Nov 2025Male hooded merganser, Oregon, United States