Chinese New Year 2027: Year of the Goat

Chinese New Year 2027 is on Saturday 6 February 2027, starting the Year of the Goat (also called the Year of the Sheep). New Year's Eve, the reunion dinner night, is Friday 5 February.

Last updated: 8 November 2026

Lunar New Year dates and zodiac animals, 2025–2030

Why Chinese New Year moves between January and February

The Chinese calendar is lunisolar. A month begins on the day of the new moon, and New Year's Day is the second new moon after the winter solstice (occasionally the third). That rule keeps the festival between 21 January and 20 February. Because 12 lunar months are about 11 days shorter than a solar year, a leap month is added roughly every three years, which is why the date jumps back and forth instead of moving steadily.

The Year of the Goat 2027

2027 is the year of the Fire Goat in the sixty-year cycle of animals and elements. The same character (羊, yáng) can mean goat, sheep or ram, so you will see all three in English. People born in Goat years — 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015 and 2027 — are traditionally described as gentle, creative and kind. The Goat year runs until 25 January 2028, when the Year of the Monkey begins.

How long is the holiday?

• Mainland China: the Spring Festival "golden week" is usually eight or nine days, set by the State Council each year and often balanced by working weekends before or after.
• Singapore: two public holidays. In 2027, 6 February falls on a Saturday and 7 February on a Sunday, so Monday 8 February is a public holiday.
• Hong Kong: three general holidays; in 2027 published lists show Saturday 6 February plus Monday 8 and Tuesday 9 February — confirm on GovHK.
• Taiwan, South Korea (Seollal) and Vietnam (Tet): several days, with Vietnam's Tet break among the longest.
• Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines: one or two public holidays.

Traditions to know

The New Year's Eve reunion dinner is the most important meal of the year, followed by fireworks at midnight where they are allowed. Children and unmarried relatives receive red envelopes (hongbao) of money. Homes are cleaned before New Year — but not on the day itself, so luck isn't swept away. Red decorations, couplets on doorframes and the character 福 (fortune), often hung upside down, are everywhere. Celebrations last fifteen days and end with the Lantern Festival, which falls on 20 February 2027.

Travelling during Chinese New Year 2027

The weeks around the festival bring the world's largest annual human migration, known as chunyun. Trains and flights within China sell out quickly, and prices spike across Asia as millions travel abroad. In Taipei, Hong Kong, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, many small shops and family restaurants close for the first two or three days, while malls and tourist sites stay open and get crowded. If you want to see the celebrations rather than avoid them, base yourself somewhere walkable — our partner guide to where to stay in Taipei covers neighbourhoods near the night markets and temples.

Frequently asked questions

When is Chinese New Year 2027?

Saturday 6 February 2027. New Year's Eve is Friday 5 February.

What animal is 2027?

The Goat (also called Sheep or Ram) — specifically the Fire Goat.

When is Chinese New Year 2028?

Wednesday 26 January 2028, starting the Year of the Monkey.

When is the Lantern Festival 2027?

Saturday 20 February 2027, the fifteenth day of the first lunar month.

Is Chinese New Year 2027 a holiday in Singapore?

Yes. Because 6 and 7 February fall on a weekend, Monday 8 February 2027 is a public holiday.

Sources: Ministry of Manpower Singapore – Public holidays for 2027 · GovHK – General holidays · Hong Kong Observatory – Gregorian–Lunar calendar conversion