The Chinese Lunar New Year begins January 29, 2025, and starts the Spring Festival season that ends fifteen days later on the evening of the Lantern Festival. The Chinese zodiac rotates through a 12-year cycle of animals and the traditional five elements: wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. 2025 is the Year of the Wood Snake. The snake ushers in the sixth year of the 12-year cycle, following the Year of the Dragon. Different regions across Asia celebrate Lunar New Year in many ways and may follow a different zodiac.
Celebrate the Lunar New Year with the Smithsonian via virtual and in-person events. Learn more about Lunar New Year celebrations with the National Museum of Asian Art, and explore the Smithsonian American Art Museum's online Lunar New Year Family Zone.
