Lunar New Year begins February 17—here's what it celebrates, why dates shift, and what the Year of the Fire Horse means.

The energy of the Fire Horse will be felt collectively. However, how we experience the energy of the pyro pony depends on our Chinese zodiac sign.

Based on the Chinese zodiac, the Lunar New year goes by a 12-year cycle. Each year is represented by a different animal. In order, the animals are: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig.

The Lunar New Year is welcomed with a variety of cultural traditions and rituals such as carnivals, parades, fireworks and ancestor remembrance.

Doing so would be equivalent to throwing away your luck. As Iskandar emphasizes, "don’t take out trash or do any sweeping on New Year’s Day itself as the acts symbolize your good luck for the year being trashed or swept away."

Firecrackers, red lanterns and elaborate firework displays are also a large part of the Lunar New Year spectacle around the world. Togetherness is a key component of the holiday, and many families come together to start the new year off by preparing and enjoying a meal that will bring them luck, good health and prosperity.

The Year of the Fire Horse is upon us, and four zodiac signs stand to ride that pyro pony straight into the light of love. “As the dynamic Fire Horse year of 2026 gallops in, it brings a wave of passionate energy perfect for forging deep connections,

You scan social feeds and find the Fire Horse everywhere — memes, think pieces, and personal manifestos. It promises a symbolic reset for a generation juggling debt, climate anxiety, and stalled milestones,

Lan Su Chinese Garden's celebration includes lion dances, Chinese calligraphy, cultural performances and nighttime shows through March 8.