What Day Is the Lunar New Year
The Lunar New Year date changes every year because it follows the lunisolar calendar. The festival begins on the second new moon after the winter solstice, which usually falls between January 21 and February 20. The exact date is determined by astronomical calculations and official calendars in China, South Korea, Vietnam, and other regional governments timeanddate.com lunar new year.
In 2025, the Lunar New Year starts on January 29, marking the Year of the Snake. The date shifts annually because the lunisolar cycle does not align with the Gregorian calendar. Businesses, exchanges, and central banks use these dates to plan trading halts, supply chains, and holiday schedules Forbes business council.
How the Lunar New Year Date Is Calculated
Lunisolar Calendar Rules
The date is set by the Chinese lunar calendar, which tracks both moon phases and solar terms. Each month begins on the day of the new moon, and a leap month is added roughly every three years to keep the calendar in sync with the solar year. This system is used for official holidays in China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Singapore, and South Korea timeanddate.com lunar new year.
The Chinese Academy of Sciences and national observatories publish the precise new moon times used to fix the start of the lunar new year. These calculations rely on astronomical data, not simple averages, so the date can vary by one or two days across regions. Financial institutions and global logistics firms build their annual calendars around these official announcements Forbes business council.
Why the Lunar New Year Date Matters for Markets
Global Trading and Supply Chain Impact
The lunar new year holiday triggers extended factory shutdowns in China and Southeast Asia, affecting global supply chains for electronics, automotive, and consumer goods. Major stock exchanges in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Singapore, and Seoul close for multiple days, creating gaps in trading volume and liquidity Forbes business council.
Companies such as Tesla and SpaceX coordinate production and delivery timelines around the lunar new year because their supply chains depend heavily on factories in China and East Asia. Investors and analysts track the holiday date months in advance to anticipate commodity price moves, shipping delays, and earnings revisions Forbes business council.