Year of the Horse: China prepares to celebrate Spring Festival • FRANCE 24 English

Key Concepts

• Lunar New Year (Spring Festival): The most important traditional Chinese holiday, centered around family reunion and celebrating the turn of the lunar calendar.
• Year of the Horse (2026): One of the twelve animals in the Chinese zodiac, representing vigor, strength, and resilience. Specifically, the “fire horse” is mentioned as having special significance.
• Chunyun (Spring Festival Travel Rush): The massive annual migration of people traveling home for the Lunar New Year.
• Consumption Boost: A stated governmental goal for extending the public holiday duration.

The Approaching Lunar New Year & National Preparations

The Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is rapidly approaching and is considered the most important holiday in China and for Chinese communities globally. The year 2026 will be the Year of the Horse, specifically the “fire horse,” which holds personal significance for some, as noted by a speaker who identifies it as their astrological year. Preparations for the holiday are extensive, beginning days or even weeks in advance, and center around family reunions.

Unprecedented Travel Volume & Extended Holiday

This year’s festivities are marked by an exceptionally high volume of travel. Officials anticipate over 9.5 billion trips nationwide during the travel period (referred to as Chunyun), leading to significant congestion at train stations, highways, and airports since Friday. To address this and, crucially, to stimulate economic activity, authorities have declared a 9-day public holiday – an extension of one day compared to previous years. This extension is explicitly intended to “boost consumption.”

Official Observances & Cultural Significance

The Lunar New Year is not only a personal and familial celebration but also a significant national event. A high-profile gathering of Communist Party leaders and senior officials, including President Xi Jinping, was held, demonstrating the importance placed on the holiday by the government.

Culturally, the horse is deeply symbolic in Chinese tradition. It embodies “vigor, strength, and resilience,” and is seen as representing “a promising future and steady progress and lasting prosperity.” This symbolism is reflected in the horses-shaped installations appearing across the country, like the one highlighted in Beijing.

Festive Traditions & Broadcast Events

Beyond official ceremonies, the Lunar New Year is celebrated through numerous traditional activities. A grand, colorful gala broadcast on state television consistently attracts a massive audience. Additionally, lantern festivals and light displays are taking place nationwide, contributing to the festive atmosphere.

Notable Quotes

• “I wish everyone a happy new year and all the best.” – Speaker expressing New Year greetings.
• “I wish you all of you and your families good health, success and happiness. Best wishes for the year of the horse.” – Speaker offering traditional blessings.

Synthesis

The approaching Lunar New Year in 2026 is a period of immense national significance in China, marked by extensive preparations, record-breaking travel volumes, and a concerted effort by the government to stimulate economic growth through an extended public holiday. The holiday is deeply rooted in cultural traditions, with the Year of the Horse symbolizing positive attributes like strength and prosperity, and is celebrated through both official events and widespread festive activities.