Chinese New Year 2025 will begin on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, marking the start of the Year of the Wood Snake. The lunar-based holiday is one of the most significant celebrations in East and Southeast Asia, with festivities that extend over 15 days. Understanding the precise date, zodiac animal, and public holiday schedule helps travelers, businesses, and cultural enthusiasts plan accordingly.
The date is astronomically determined and falls on the second new moon after the winter solstice, which places it between January 21 and February 20 each year. For 2025, that calculation yields January 29 as New Year’s Day, with New Year’s Eve on January 28.
Across China, the official public holiday period runs from January 28 to February 3, 2025, while celebrations continue until the Lantern Festival on February 12. Other countries and regions may observe shorter or different holiday windows.
When is Chinese New Year 2025?
| Chinese New Year 2025 at a Glance | |
|---|---|
| Date | January 29, 2025 (Wednesday) |
| Zodiac Animal | Snake (Wood Snake) |
| Holiday Period | Jan 28 (Eve) – Feb 12 (Lantern Festival) |
| Public Holiday (Mainland China) | Jan 28 – Feb 3 (7 days) |
Key Insights
- Exact date is fixed astronomically: Chinese New Year 2025 begins on January 29, based on the second new moon after the winter solstice.
- Year of the Wood Snake: 2025 is the Year of the Snake, combined with the Wood element, bringing associations with intelligence and growth.
- Public holiday varies by country: Mainland China typically has 7 days off, while other countries like Malaysia have 2 days.
- Celebrations last 15 days: The New Year period runs from New Year’s Eve (Jan 28) to the Lantern Festival (Feb 12).
- Chinese New Year’s Eve is January 28, 2025: The evening before the new year is traditionally reserved for family reunion dinners.
Key Facts: Chinese New Year 2025
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Date (Gregorian) | January 29, 2025 |
| Day of Week | Wednesday |
| Zodiac Animal | Snake (Wood) |
| Chinese New Year’s Eve | January 28, 2025 |
| Lantern Festival | February 12, 2025 |
| Next Year (2026) | February 17, 2026 (Year of the Horse) |
| Previous Year (2024) | February 10, 2024 (Year of the Dragon) |
What is the zodiac animal for Chinese New Year 2025?
2025 marks the Year of the Snake in the Chinese zodiac, specifically the Wood Snake within the 60-year element cycle. The Snake is the sixth animal in the 12-year zodiac cycle and follows the Dragon. The Wood element adds layers of meaning related to growth, creativity, and flexibility.
What is the Chinese zodiac sign for 2025?
The Chinese zodiac sign for 2025 is the Snake. People born in Snake years are often described as wise, intuitive, and elegant. The sign is associated with deep thinking and a mysterious charm.
What does the Year of the Snake represent?
In Chinese culture, the Snake symbolizes wisdom, transformation, and good fortune. The Wood Snake, which occurs every 60 years, is considered particularly refined and intellectual. According to sources, the combination of Snake and Wood suggests a year of gradual growth and strategic planning.
The Wood element in the Chinese zodiac is linked to spring, renewal, and gentle expansion. A Wood Snake year is believed to encourage patience, education, and artistic pursuits. This differs from a Fire Snake or Earth Snake year, which carry their own distinct qualities.
When does Chinese New Year 2025 start and end?
The full Chinese New Year 2025 festival spans from New Year’s Eve on January 28 to the Lantern Festival on February 12. However, the core public holiday in Mainland China is concentrated between January 28 and February 3.
How long is Chinese New Year 2025?
Traditionally, Chinese New Year celebrations last 15 days. The first seven days are the most important, with specific traditions for each day. The 15th day marks the Lantern Festival, which concludes the holiday season.
What are the start and end dates of the holiday period?
Chinese New Year’s Eve (January 28, 2025) begins the festivities. The new year officially starts at midnight on January 29. The last day of celebration is February 12, 2025. Some businesses and government offices may resume normal operations earlier, depending on local policies.
If you intend to travel or conduct business in China during 2025, consider the period from January 28 to February 12 as the peak celebration window. Many offices close for the full public holiday (Jan 28–Feb 3), but transportation and some services may be disrupted until the Lantern Festival.
What are the public holiday dates for Chinese New Year 2025?
In Mainland China, the official Spring Festival public holiday for 2025 is expected to run from January 28 to February 3. This is a seven-day break that typically includes the weekend before and after to create an uninterrupted holiday period. Other countries with significant Chinese populations set their own schedules.
Is Chinese New Year 2025 a public holiday in China?
Yes, Chinese New Year is a national public holiday in China. Government offices, banks, and many businesses close for the duration. The exact dates are set by the State Council each year, and the 2025 schedule is consistent with the January 28 – February 3 window.
How many days off for Chinese New Year 2025?
Mainland China observes seven official days off. In Malaysia and Singapore, the public holiday lasts two days. In Vietnam (Tết), the holiday can span five to nine days depending on the year and local arrangements. The Wikipedia entry notes that Chinese New Year’s Eve is typically a half-day holiday in Malaysia, while the next two days are full public holidays.
While January 29 is universally celebrated as New Year’s Day, public holiday observances differ. For example, Indonesia may declare only one day off, while Hong Kong and Macau often have three to four days. Always verify with local government announcements.
Chinese New Year 2025 Timeline
- January 28, 2025 – Chinese New Year’s Eve (Reunion Dinner). Families gather for a traditional meal and stay up late to welcome the new year.
- January 29, 2025 – Chinese New Year Day (Spring Festival begins). This is the first day of the lunar new year and the start of the public holiday.
- January 29 – February 3, 2025 – Public holiday in Mainland China. Most government offices and businesses close for seven days.
- February 12, 2025 – Lantern Festival (end of celebrations). The 15th day features lantern displays, riddles, and sweet glutinous rice balls.
Certainty vs. Uncertainty about Chinese New Year 2025 Dates
Some details are well established, while others depend on local decisions. The table below separates what is known for certain from what requires further confirmation.
| Established information | Information that remains unclear |
|---|---|
| The exact date (Jan 29, 2025) is astronomically determined and fixed. | None – date is known well in advance. |
| The start of the public holiday in China is fixed (Jan 28 – Feb 3). | Public holiday schedules in other countries (e.g., Singapore, Malaysia) may differ and are set by governments. |
| The zodiac animal is Snake. | Some local cultures use slightly different zodiac names (e.g., Goat vs. Sheep for 2027). |
How is the date of Chinese New Year determined?
Chinese New Year follows a lunisolar calendar, which combines lunar phases with solar terms. The new year begins on the second new moon after the winter solstice, which places the date between January 21 and February 20 in the Gregorian calendar. The 2025 date was confirmed by astronomical calculations and is consistent across major almanacs, including those from Royal Museums Greenwich – Lunar New Year Dates.
The Year of the Snake is considered a year of wisdom and transformation in Chinese culture. Understanding the holiday period is crucial for travel planning, business schedules, and cultural events. The 60-year element cycle adds an extra layer of meaning, with the Wood Snake appearing once per full cycle.
What do sources say about Chinese New Year 2025?
Several authoritative sources provide consistent information on the date and zodiac for 2025. Travel China Guide states: “Chinese New Year in 2025 will be on Wednesday, Jan 29, 2025.” Royal Museums Greenwich lists the same date and notes the Snake as the zodiac animal. The Travel China Guide – Chinese New Year Dates page offers a historical table of dates and animals.
The NAEYC – Celebrating Lunar New Year 2025 blog provides practical ideas for educators and families, confirming the 2025 date and the significance of the Snake.
“Chinese New Year in 2025 will be on Wednesday, Jan 29, 2025.”
— Travel China Guide
“Chinese New Year’s Eve is typically a half-day holiday in Malaysia, while Chinese New Year is a two-day public holiday.”
— Wikipedia
The Wikipedia – Chinese New Year entry offers broad coverage including holiday practices across countries. For official confirmation of the China public holiday schedule, the Official Chinese government holiday notice (search for 2025 Spring Festival notice) is the authoritative source.
When is Chinese New Year 2025? Key takeaways
Chinese New Year 2025 falls on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, ushering in the Year of the Wood Snake. The official public holiday in Mainland China is January 28 to February 3, while the full 15-day festival lasts until the Lantern Festival on February 12. For those planning to travel or celebrate, the main dates are fixed and widely agreed upon. Learn more about Chinese New Year traditions and celebrations to understand the customs associated with each day of the holiday.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Chinese New Year 2023?
Chinese New Year 2023 was on January 22, 2023, Year of the Rabbit.
When is Chinese New Year 2026?
Chinese New Year 2026 will be on February 17, 2026, Year of the Horse.
When is Chinese New Year 2027?
Chinese New Year 2027 will be on February 6, 2027, Year of the Goat.
When is Chinese New Year 2030?
Chinese New Year 2030 will be on February 3, 2030, Year of the Dog.
What chinese year is 2026?
2026 is the Year of the Horse, starting February 17, 2026.
For a broader perspective on how this holiday is observed globally, see Lunar New Year around the world.
Related stories
Grace Hollis is Film & Music Correspondent at CultureObserver.uk, covering film releases, music news, soundtracks and awards season.