Chinese New Year 2019: Dates & Calendar

When is Chinese New Year 2019? - February 5

The Chinese New Year of 2019 falls on February 5th (Tuesday), and the festival will last to February 19th, about 15 days in total. 2019 is a Year of the Pig according to Chinese zodiac. As an official public holiday, Chinese people can get seven days' absence from work, from February 4th to 10th.

• How long is Chinese New Year holiday?
  

The legal holiday is seven days long, from the Lunar New Year's Eve to the sixth day of the first lunar month.

Some companies and public institutions enjoy a longer holiday up to 10 days or more, because in common knowledge among Chinese people, the festival lasts longer, from the Lunar New Year's Eve to the 15th day of the first lunar month (Lantern Festival).

• Chinese New Year Dates & Calendar in 2019

2019 Lunar New Year falls on February 5th.

The public holiday lasts from February 4th to 10th, during which the New Year’s Eve on February 4th and the New Year's Day on February 5th are the peak time of celebration.

The commonly known New Year calendar counts from the New Year’s Eve to the Lantern Festival on February 19th 2019.

According to the old folk customs, the traditional celebration starts even earlier, from the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month.

• Why do Chinese New Year dates change very year?

Chinese New Year dates vary slightly between years, but it usually comes during the period from January 21st to February 20th in Gregorian calendar. The dates change every year because the festival is based on the Chinese Lunar Calendar. The lunar calendar is associated with the movement of the moon, which usually defines traditional festivals like the Chinese New Year (Spring Festival), Lantern Festival, Dragon Boat Festival, and Mid-Autumn Day.

The lunar calendar is also associated with 12 animal signs in Chinese zodiac, so every 12 years is regarded as a cycle. 2019 is a Year of the Pig, while 2020 turns to be a Year of the Rat.