Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is the most important holiday in the Chinese calendar. It is a time for families to come together, celebrate the end of the previous year, and welcome in the new one.
February 17, 2026, is the first day of the Lunar New Year and marks the beginning of the Year of the Horse. Those who are born in the Year of the Horse are said to be independent, hardworking, adventurous and charismatic.
Each animal of the Chinese Zodiac is paired with one of the five elements, which adds nuance to personality traits:
- Wood Horse – Cooperative, creative, growth-oriented
- Fire Horse – Bold, passionate, intense, natural leaders
- Earth Horse – Practical, grounded, responsible
- Metal Horse – Determined, strong-willed, ambitious
- Water Horse – Flexible, intuitive, socially skilled
You were born in the Year of the Horse if you were born in
This year is not just the Year of the Horse, but it is a Fire Horse, which only happens every 60 years, and the Fire Horse has quite the reputation! The sign of the horse already represents movement, independence, and momentum, but when you add the fire element, everything is believed to intensify. The last time there was a Year of the Fire Horse was 1966, which, with the gift of hindsight, we can see that events happening in the U.S., and around the world, were very "on brand" for a Fire Horse year.
- MLK Jr moved the Civil Rights Movement north, moving into the Lawndale neighborhood
- The Division Street Uprising in Humboldt Park. This brought national attention to issues of discrimination, policing, and lack of resources in Chicago’s Latino communities.
- Across the country, and really globally, there were major shifts in the youth culture, fashion, and music. Think mini skirts, The Beatles, and more rebellion against authority.
- The Black Panther Party was formed
- The U.S. was deeply involved in the Vietnam War
Did You Know: In 1966 there was belief in Japan that any female child born that year would grow to be strong-willed, headstrong, and "too fiery" for marriage. There was a noticeable dip in birth rates that year because of this, and it was one time zodiac beliefs influenced national demographics in a measurable amount!
Lunar New Year is celebrated by millions worldwide, not just in China, but also in other countries with large Chinese populations such as Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Singapore. To celebrate, people often decorate their homes with red lanterns and other symbols of luck and prosperity, exchange gifts, and participate in traditional activities such as dragon and lion dances. They may also eat special foods and attend parades and other cultural events.
Here are FIVE ways to Learn about Lunar New Year as a family:
- Make red lanterns or other decorations: Decorating with red lanterns is a popular way to celebrate the holiday and it is easy to make your own with paper, scissors, crayons/markers and a little tape or string.
- Have a Chinese New Year feast: Many families celebrate Chinese New Year by enjoying a special meal together. You can make traditional Chinese dishes like dumplings, spring rolls, and noodles, or create a traditional Tray of Prosperity.
- Make a Lunar New Year-inspired activity or craft! If you need some inspiration and guidance, the Chicago Public Library will host some free events such as the Lunar New Year Celebration (February 17 - CPL Chinatown) or Lunar New Year Celebration (February 22 - CPL Little Italy)
- Learn about Chinese culture and traditions: Lunar New Year is a great opportunity to teach kids about the history and culture of China. You can read books about the holiday, watch movies or documentaries about China, or visit Chicago's Chinatown, the Chinese American Museum or Chicago Chinese Cultural Institute.
- Go to a Lunar New Year parade: Many cities worldwide, including Chicago, hold special parades to celebrate Chinese New Year. Attending a parade is a fun and festive way to learn and celebrate the holiday with kids.
CHICAGO'S CHINATOWN
Chicago has one of the oldest settlements of Chinese populations in America, but the current Chinatown community has only been around for a little more than a century. It is home to Chinatown Square, the largest Chinese mall outside San Francisco and New York City. Other notable landmarks in Chinatown are the Nine Dragon Wall, statues of each animal from the Chinese zodiac, Ping Tom Memorial Park along the Chicago River, a mural depicting the history of Chinese immigrants, and the Engine 8 Company Firehouse.
Chicago's Chinatown is a popular destination for residents and tourists, easily accessible from the CTA's Red Line or the Water Taxi (in warmer months) and a fun place to visit with the whole family. Two of the most popular times to visit are during the Dragon Boat Races in June and Chinese New Year celebrations in the early months of the year (actual dates vary - but between January 21 to February 20).
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LOCAL EVENTS TO CELEBRATE THE YEAR OF THE HORSE
February 21, 2026 - Argyle Lunar New Year Celebration & Parade
February 21, 2026 - Chinese New Year Celebration at Navy Pier
March 1, 2026 - Chinatown's Chinese New Year Parade
Be sure to check back on the Macaroni KID Chicago calendar for more events!
THE LEGEND OF CHINESE NEW YEAR
(In Chinese 'New Year's Day' is known as 'Guo Nian' and the Chinese character 年 can mean either "Year" or "Monster Nian")
The legend of the Chinese New Year is a story of a man-eating beast named Nian and an old man. All year long, Nian, a terrifying beast, lived deep in the sea except for one day a year, New Year's Eve when he would come to terrorize the villages and eat the people and animals. To avoid Nian the people would escape to the mountains and hide until he returned to the sea.
Then one year an old man came to one of the villages on New Year's Eve and said he would not flee Nian and would stay and chase the monster away. The others in the villages begged him to go to the mountains and hide, but he simply refused. The old man stayed and chased Nian back to the sea by lighting bamboo (which makes a loud BANG), wearing red clothing, hanging red paper on doors in the village and burning candles. The people were stunned to return home and discover the village had not been destroyed.
From then on, people would do as the old man had and Nian would not come and destroy the villages. You can find the traditions of firecrackers, the color red and candles present today in Chinese New Year celebrations.
THE DRAGON DANCE
Now that you know the story of Nian, you may think that the dragon, often seen in Chinese New Year parades and celebrations, represents the legendary beast. The Dragon is a symbol of good fortune in Chinese culture, and skilled dancers perform the dance. It is also believed that the longer the dragon is, the more good fortune will fall upon the community that year.
