Year of the Horse: Lunar New Year 2026
February 13, 2026 – Defence Stories
Estimated read time – 1:04
By: The Defence Team Canadian Asian Network
Year of the Fire Horse
February 17 marks Lunar New Year, the annual 16-day celebration beginning with the new moon and concluding with the Lantern Festival on March 3. This year, it welcomes the Year of the Horse; a symbol of strength, freedom, perseverance, and energy.
Lunar New Year is celebrated by approximately two billion people worldwide, including across many diaspora communities around the world. It is also known as Spring Festival in China, Seollal in Korea, and Tết in Vietnam, to name a few. Celebratory traditions vary by culture and family, but commonly include sharing meals, exchanging gifts, and spending time with loved ones.
The holiday follows the lunisolar calendar and begins on the second new moon after the winter solstice. It is a meaningful period of cultural and spiritual observance for many communities.
This year, the Defence Team Canadian Asian Network (DTCAN) will host regional celebrations in recognition of Lunar New Year to foster a sense of community, cultivate cultural appreciation, and celebrate our diverse traditions.
DTCAN wishes everyone who celebrates a joyful and prosperous Lunar New Year. May the Year of the Fire Horse bring renewed energy, good health, and success in the year ahead.
For more information, please contact DTCAN at: dtcan-raced@forces.gc.ca.