Chinese New Year is the most important festival in China. In China, the Gregorian calendar is the official calendar, but Chinese New Year is calculated according to the traditional Chinese calendar. Chinese New Year Day is always the first day of the first month in the Chinese calendar, however, the date changes each year in the Gregorian calendar.
How is Chinese New Year Day calculated? What day is it in Gregorian calendar each year?
Chinese New Year is based on "Spring Commences (立春)", which is the first solar term of the 24 solar terms. Spring Commences occurs on February 4 with plus or minus one day each year in Gregorian calendar. However, this date varies in Chinese Calendar and falls on a different day.
- When "Spring Commences (立春)" falls on a date from 1st to 15th in the Chinese calendar, the first day of the month will be the New Year Day.
For example, in 2022, "Spring Commences" occurs on February 4 in the Gregorian calendar, which is January 4 in Chinese calendar. January 4 is between 1st to 15th, so the first day will be Chinese New Year, and that is February 1 in the Gregorian calendar.
In 2023, "Spring Commences" occurs on February 4 in the Gregorian calendar, which is January 14 in Chinese calendar. January 14 is between 1st to 15th, so the first day of this month will be Chinese New Year, and that is January 22 in the Gregorian calendar.
- When "Spring Commences (立春)" falls on any date from 16th to 30th in the Chinese calendar, the next first day will be the New Year Day.
For example, in 2021, "Spring Commences" occurs on February 3, which is December 22 in the Chinese calendar. December 22 is between 16th to 30th, so the next first day will be Chinese New Year, and that is February 12 in the Gregorian calendar.
