Welcome the 2026 Lunar New Year (sometimes called the Chinese New Year) with your students with a host of classroom-ready worksheets, printables and activities for kids — created by teachers, for teachers! Whether you're looking to teach your kindergarten students about this important holiday to broaden their cultural horizons, or you're teaching older elementary students about Lunar New Year as you study world history, we have you covered. Explore printable and digital resources that have been through a rigorous review by the teachers on our team to ensure they're ready for your lesson plans ... and your students!

Haven't taught about Lunar New Year before? Or are you just looking for some fresh ideas? Read on for a primer from our teacher team, including important Lunar New Year dates, this year's animal sign and more!

What Is Lunar New Year? A Kid-Friendly Definition

If you're introducing this cultural celebration to your students for the first time, it helps to have a definition at hand to explain Lunar New Year to your students. Here's a great way to help students get acquainted with this event: Lunar New Year is a holiday celebrated by people in many East Asian countries, such as China and Korea. It's also known as the Spring Festival, and it's a time when people in East Asia welcome the start of the new year according to a lunar calendar, or a calendar that is based on the cycles of the moon.

When Is Lunar New Year 2026?

Much of the world celebrates the new year on January 1, but the Lunar New Year does not match the traditional calendar year. That means this year, the Lunar New Year will begin Tuesday, February 17, 2026. This event celebrated by millions of people around the world, kicks off at the beginning of a calendar year based on the cycles of the moon — hence the name "lunar" new year. Because it's based on the moon, the actual date of the Lunar New Year varies from year to year. In some places, Lunar New Year festivities last for weeks, ending with the traditional Lantern Festival, which is held on the day of the first full moon of the year. Also called the Shangyuan Festival, the special culminating event will be held on Tuesday, March 3, 2026.

What Animal Is the New Year Animal of 2026?

This topic is always a hit with young students! Each year is associated with one of the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac, which means that each year is assigned its own animal sign and known as the "year of' that animal." The Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, marks the transition from one animal to the next. The Lunar New Year in 2026 marks the beginning of the Year of the Horse. The Horse is the seventh animal in the Chinese Zodiac and is often associated with energy, freedom, and adventure. It symbolizes strength, vitality, and a love for exploration. The year of the Horse is believed to bring dynamic change and forward momentum, encouraging bold decisions and new opportunities. It represents independence and progress, inspiring people to embrace growth and pursue their passions with confidence. Other animals of the zodiac include:

Rat
Ox
Tiger
Rabbit
Dragon
Snake
Goat
Monkey
Rooster
Dog
Pig

Why not have students look up the year they were born to find out what animal is associated with their birth year?

Lunar New Year vs. Chinese New Year — What's the Difference?

Your students may tell you that they have heard this holiday referred to as Chinese New Year. No, they didn't mishear! Chinese Americans and people from China celebrate this holiday annually with a special festival, which is why it's often called Chinese New Year. However, this isn't a holiday that's singular to China. Many people from around East Asia also mark the start of a new year at this time, including people who live in Japan, Korea and Vietnam. Here are some other names for the holiday that you may want to share with your students:

Chinese Chunjie
Vietnamese Tet
Korean Solnal or Seollal
Tibetan Losar

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12 Zodiac Animals Anchor Chart - Printable

Chinese New Year Informational Poster

Asian Zodiac Calendars Poster Pack