Chinese New Year is celebrated in mid-January to late-February; the date depends on the lunar calendar. In the lunar calendar, all months begin with a new moon. Chinese New Year falls on the second new moon after the winter solstice.
Chinese New Year is the most important and, at 15 days, the longest holiday in China. Chinese New Year begins on the first day of the lunar calendar, so it is also called Lunar New Year, and it is considered the beginning of spring, so it is also called Spring Festival.
Each year has its own corresponding animal from the Chinese Zodiac, a cycle of 12 animals. Learn how the Chinese zodiac works. Chinese New Year 2013 is the Year of the Snake. Learn your zodiac sign to see if you are a snake.