The first day of the festival begins on the New Moon sometime each year between January 21st and February 20th. The holiday/festival lasts 16 days from New Year’s Eve to the 15th day of the New Year which also happens to be the Lantern Festival.

According to the Chinese lunar calendar, there are big years and small years. In big years, there can be up to 384 days, but in small years, there can be only 355 days.

During the big years, the Lunar New Year date moves to late February, but during the small years, it goes back to late January.

Chinese zodiac years begin/end at Chinese New Year (in January/February). Each year in the repeating zodiac cycle of 12 years is represented by a zodiac animal, each with its own reputed attributes. Chinese people believe that a person’s horoscope, personality, and love compatibility are closely associated with their Chinese zodiac sign, determined by their birth year.