From Feb. 17 to March 1, billions of people around the world will celebrate the Lunar New Year, a multi-day holiday that kicks off the beginning of a new year on the lunisolar calendar and marks the upcoming arrival of spring.
2026 ushers in the “Year of the Horse” – more specifically, the “fire horse” – which only happens every 60 years. The combination of the fire element with the Chinese zodiac’s horse is associated with certain traits, such as creativity, risk-taking, the pursuit of progress, and transformation.
The name “Lunar New Year” encompasses 15 countries that celebrate according to similar calendars, like Korea (“Seollal”) and Vietnam (“Tết Nguyên Đán”). China, Singapore, Brunei,and Malaysia officially recognize the holiday as “Chinese New Year.” In China, the new year is referred to as either “Chūnjié” (Spring Festival) or “Guònián” (passing the year).
While calling it “Lunisolar New Year” would be more accurate, especially considering the countries celebrating do so according to the dates on the lunisolar calendar, rather than the lunar calendar, referring to the holiday as Lunar New Year just stuck.
But not all Asian countries celebrate Lunar New Year. For example, Japan celebrates the new year according to the Gregorian calendar on Jan 1. Burmese, Cambodian, Lao, Sri Lankan, and Thai people base the new year on the Buddhist calendar and celebrate in the spring.
Although the holiday’s customs and dishes differ by culture, both are firmly rooted in symbolism and a shared purpose to connect with family.
In China, people celebrate different customs throughout the span of 15 days. Before the holiday begins, Chinese people clean their houses before the new year to sweep out all of the bad luck. Kids and unmarried adults receive “hongbao”, or red envelopes full of crisp money bills. They prepare symbolic foods for feasting throughout the holiday, including whole fish, from head to tail, meant to symbolize prosperity for the upcoming year. Dumplings resemble the silver ingot shape, symbolizing wealth. The more you eat, the more wealthy you’ll become in the new year.
In Korea, Seollal lasts just three days instead of the traditional 15 days of celebrations. Koreans also prepare by cleaning their houses before guests arrive, and celebrate with rice cake soup. The shape of the rice cakes mimic coins to symbolize wealth.
Families not only come together to enjoy meals during Lunar New Year, but to pay respect to their ancestors and play games.
In Vietnam, families convene during Tết to eat banh chung (for togetherness) or banh tet (for prosperity) – sticky rice cakes filled with mung beans and marinated pork belly. The difference between the two rice cakes come in the shapes and regions from which each originates.
Below, check out some of Candy Hom’s favorite Atlanta-area restaurants and festivals to celebrate Lunar New Year, including low-key banquet-style dinners, festivals with lion dances and food, and even a party with a K-pop dance competition.
(And to Candy’s fellow Cantonese (and non-Cantonese) people, she sends a greeting of “gung hay fat choy,” or “wishing you great happiness and prosperity” for the coming year!)
Lunar New Year restaurant events
Ruby Chow’s Lunar New Year Party 2026
When: Feb. 17
Where: Old Fourth Ward
What: $115.00 per person, including a selection of signature dishes, three cocktails, and live entertainment.
Jen Chan’s Lunar New Year Dinner
When: Feb. 17-22
Where: Cabbagetown
What: A special menu featuring dishes such as wealthy dumplings, prosperous whole fish, and longevity noodles.
For low-key, banquet-style dinners
- Royal China in Duluth
- Bobo Garden at Pinetree Plaza in Doraville
- Canton House on Pleasant Hill in Duluth
- Chef’s House Peking Duck on Peachtree Industrial Boulevard in Duluth
Lunar New Year festivals
Stone Mountain Lunar New Year Festival
When: Feb. 14 – March 1, Saturdays and Sundays, 4-9 p.m.
Where: Stone Mountain
What: $24.99 ticket not only offers access to park attractions, but Lunar New Year festivities, including K-pop competitions, a lighted parade with lion and dragon dances, food trucks, cultural activities, drone and light shows, and fireworks. Kids 2 and under get in free.
Atlantic Station Lunar New Year party
When: Feb. 21, 3-7 p.m.
Where: Atlantic Station
What: Lion dances, Kung Fu and Tai Chi performances, food vendors, and complimentary tarot readings. Free to attend.
Atlanta Chinatown “Year of the Horse” Celebration
When: Feb.21-22, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Where: Chamblee
What: Live music, arts, crafts, performances, and food at Atlanta Chinatown food court. Free to attend.
Atlanta Lunar New Year Festival
When: Feb. 21, 10 a.m.-5p.m.; Feb. 22, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Where: Chamblee
What: Held at the Culture Center of Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, this festival features dragon and lion dances, crafts, and a traditional Taiwan night market serving dishes like tea eggs, braised pork rice, and oyster vermicelli. Grab $10 tickets before Feb. 16.
Johns Creek Lunar New Year
When: Feb. 21, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Where: Atlanta Athletic Club fields in Johns Creek
What: Food and drink vendors and cultural performances. Free to attend.
Decatur Pan-Asian Lunar New Year Festival
When: March 1, 1-6 p.m.
Where: Ebster Courtyard @ Beacon Municipal Center in Decatur
What: Over 50 food and craft vendors, including Love It! Gluten Free, Manalo’s Bakery, Mighty Hans, Rebel Teahouse, and Tiff Blot. Lion dance at 3 p.m. $10 per person. Kids get in free. Proceeds will benefit Asian American Voices for Education.