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:

13 Dec 2024Christmas market, St Stephens Basilica, Budapest, Hungary
Protecting the gentle giants
22 Jul 2025Badlands National Park, South Dakota, United States
Art beyond beauty
4 Feb 2024Devetashka Cave, Devetaki, Bulgaria
Turquoise delight
18 Jun 2024Snæfellsnes, Iceland
15 Jul 2025Perseid meteor shower over Nevada, United States
Look up, incoming…
21 Nov 2025World Hello Day
21 Feb 2025Champaka Sarasi, Shivamogga, Karnataka, India
17 Aug 2025International Lighthouse Lightship Weekend
16 Aug 2025The Isle of Wight Garlic Festival
A public restroom or a tourist spot?
8 Oct 2025World Octopus Day
The sprout with amazing potential
America’s backyard
19 Dec 2024Sibiu Christmas Market, Romania
12 Nov 2024Arches National Park, Utah, United States
2 Apr 2026Wildflower bloom, Central Valley, California, United States
The bears of summer
A triumphant pose
Holding back the tide
28 May 2024The Monastery of Roussanou, Greece
5 Nov 2024Guy Fawkes Night
24 Jun 2024Kelimutu, Flores, Indonesia
14 Oct 2023Ring of fire solar eclipse
6 Jan 2025Flooded crypt, Basilica of San Francesco, Ravenna, Italy
4 Nov 2024Grasmere, Lake District, Cumbria, England
13 Jan 2025Happy Welsh New Year!