Lunar New Year Celebrations Welcome Year of the Horse

Prayers, robots, and festivities mark the start of the Lunar New Year in Beijing.

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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People celebrated the Lunar New Year on Tuesday with prayers, fireworks, and festivities. The Lunar New Year marks the beginning of the Year of the Horse in the Chinese zodiac.

Why it matters

The Lunar New Year is one of the most important annual celebrations in China and across many Asian communities around the world. The traditions and rituals observed during this time provide insight into Chinese culture and heritage.

The details

Celebrations for the Lunar New Year in Beijing included prayers at temples, the use of robots to assist with crowd control, and various cultural performances and displays. The Lunar New Year marks the start of the Year of the Horse in the 12-year Chinese zodiac cycle.

  • The Lunar New Year was celebrated on Tuesday, February 17, 2026.

The players

Beijing

The capital city of China where many of the Lunar New Year celebrations took place.

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The takeaway

The Lunar New Year celebrations in Beijing showcase the rich cultural traditions and technological advancements that are shaping modern China's approach to this important annual event.