Lunar New Year 2026: The Year of the Fire Horse arrives across Asia
The Year of the Fire Horse has begun and communities across Asia are observing the 15-day Lunar New Year festival with a mix of long-standing rituals and new realities. Celebrations traditionally fall between January 21 and February 20 each year; in 2026 the fire horse energy is set to make a particular mark from February 17, 2026 (ET) onward.
Traditions bend but endure: food, family and public rituals
Food remains central to the festivities, even as the form and scale of celebration shift. In Malaysia and Singapore families gather to toss a raw fish salad—yusheng or lohei—in a communal ritual designed to summon luck and prosperity; everyone must use chopsticks to fling the ingredients together, making the moment both symbolic and delightfully chaotic. In parts of South Korea, giving tins of luncheon meat as New Year gifts has become a modern staple, reflecting pragmatic tastes and post-war culinary legacies.
Across Southeast Asia, local histories shape observance. On the Indonesian island of Madura, the Masjid Jamik Sumenep stands as a physical testament to centuries of cultural exchange: designed with Chinese architectural influence, it points to waves of migration and intermarriage that date back to the 18th century. For some families this Lunar New Year, celebrations will be low-key—observed as a respectful nod to heritage rather than a large public festival. "Just as a form of respect, " says Herman Susanto, a Chinese Muslim who continues to mark Cap Go Meh in modest style.
Public life and politics are reshaping festivities
In several urban centres the tone of public celebration is noticeably altered. In some Chinese cities, authorities have stepped up campaigns targeting content they deem antisocial; this year the measures included online posts promoting the decision not to have children, a topic that has increasingly appeared in public conversation. The result has been a more cautious online environment during what is usually a buoyant holiday period.
In Yangon’s Chinatown, locally called Latha, the holiday is being observed in a subdued fashion compared with earlier years. Once a thriving tourist draw, the neighbourhood now sees quieter processions and smaller gatherings. Lion dances, temple visits and street vendors continue, but the festival atmosphere is tempered by the wider political and social landscape.
South Korea is also witnessing a shift in household practice. A growing number of people are opting out of elaborate ancestral ritual tables and other formalities; surveys indicate that a majority plan simpler observances this year, reshaping how family and tradition are expressed.
Fire Horse forecasts: energy, balance and design advice
The horse in the Chinese zodiac is associated with movement and momentum; paired with the fire element this year, many cultural commentators and Feng Shui practitioners forecast a more intense, outward energy. Some experts describe 2026 as a double-fire year, a dynamic force that can amplify change, passion and disruption.
Practically, households and designers are being advised to strike a balance. Cool, water-like palettes and calm-toned interiors are recommended to temper fiery influences; bold reds and large expanses of warm hues are suggested in moderation, particularly in southern-facing rooms traditionally linked to fire energy. The broader advice is familiar: channel the year’s vitality into constructive projects and temper impulsiveness with planning.
As the 15-day festival unfolds, communities will mix celebration with caution, continuity with adaptation. From family tables to public squares, from mosque courtyards to urban temple altars, the Year of the Fire Horse is already shaping a diverse set of observances across the region.
