Lunar New Year

New Year in East Asia works according to a lunar calendar - like Easter - and so comes at different dates. Commonly referred to as Chinese New Year (whch it is, of course), as it is celebrated in many different countries, it is more often called the Lunar New Year.

The Zodiac in East Asia cycles through 12 different animals, and each year is associated with one of the animals from that cycle. From 17th February, 2026, we welcome the Year of the Horse. The Zodiac also rotates through the five elements of wood, fire, earth, metal, and water, and it gives you a better picture of what the year stands for by looking at both the animal and the element together. In 2026 the element is Fire, giving us the “Fire Horse.”

The Horse symbolises independence, freedom, and a spirit of forging ahead, and the Fire element just amplifies all that. So it's a great year for taking the growth generated by 2025's Wood Snake much further and wider - and at a gallop! The last year of the Fire Horse was 1966, and the free spirited swinging sixties (and perhaps even England's World Cup success) can give you an idea of what sort of year the Fire Horse can bring.

Of course, the Fire Horse is so impulsive and determined to be free that it is in danger of galloping off in to trouble. So that needs to be kept in check: 2026 is a year to enjoy the ride but hold tight to the reins.

In China and East Asia, and for East Asian people in the UK, new year's eve (16th February) is a time to celebrate a family meal, and early in the new year the priority is meeting up with family. For those who can manage it there’s a long holiday till the first full moon of the new year, on 3rd March, which is marked in some places by a lantern festival.

There are always huge celebrations around Lunar New Year in and around London Chinatown, with a big parade from Trafalgar Square to Chinatown, followed by lots of stalls and activities throughout the day in and around Chinatown. It's almost a tradition now that the final arrangements aren't made till the last minute, but we'll post them here as soon as we know!