Today's Chinese Calendar Date & Zodiac Year
How the Chinese Lunar Calendar Works
The Chinese calendar is lunisolar: months begin with the new moon, and leap months keep the year aligned with the sun. Each year is named by a combination of one of ten Heavenly Stems and twelve Earthly Branches — the 60-year sexagenary cycle — plus one of the twelve zodiac animals.
Chinese New Year falls on the second (occasionally third) new moon after the winter solstice, between January 21 and February 20 in the Gregorian calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Chinese zodiac year is it now?
It is currently the Year of the Horse (丙午). The full sexagenary designation is 丙午 - Year of the Horse (2026).
What is today's date in the Chinese lunar calendar?
Today, Thursday, August 27, 2026, corresponds to Month 8, Day 27 in the Chinese lunar calendar.
When is the next Chinese New Year?
Chinese New Year falls between January 21 and February 20, on the second new moon after the winter solstice. See our Chinese New Year countdown for the exact date.