Are you yearning for a new travel experience to a destination that you’ve never been to before? Interested in learning more about local culture and experiencing an interesting festival up close? We suggest you head to Thailand and experience Chinese New Year 2026. Welcome the Year of the Horse in style.
Thailand has a large Chinese community, and the holidays associated with Chinese New Year are widely celebrated. The celebrations are unique and well worth witnessing in person. So, why not travel to Thailand and experience Chinese New Year for yourself?
What exactly is Chinese New Year?
Perhaps you have heard of Chinese New Year, but are still wondering what it is all about. It is the most important holiday for Chinese people around the world.
Chinese New Year not only marks the start of a new year. It is also a time to celebrate with family and friends. Festivities include parties, ceremonies, elaborate meals and gift-giving. It is a time of togetherness, feasting and loud fireworks. All this is wrapped up in the colour red which symbolises good fortune and hope while deterring evil spirits.
Year of the Horse
The date of the Chinese New Year depends on the Chinese lunar calendar. In 2026, it will fall on Tuesday, February 17, commencing the Year of the Horse.
The Horse is the seventh animal in the Chinese zodiac and is associated with people known for being energetic, active, and adventurous. Those born in the Year of the Horse are often enthusiastic, independent, and love to travel. They are charismatic and have a sharp wit, though they can also be impatient at times. The years of the Horse are 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, and 2026.
Ring in Chinese New Year in Phuket
Discover how Phuket rings in the Year of the Horse. Sometimes, Chinese New Year coincides with the Old Town Festival in the heart of the beautiful Sino-Portuguese old town district. The festival features many colourful processions. One that you must see is the Dragon Procession. The colourful procession weaves through the streets and usually takes place on the 2nd day of the festival.
Throughout the festivities, there’s a chance to watch cultural shows. You can also shop and sample the vibrant street food that Phuket is so famous for, in addition to traditional Chinese desserts. Phuket’s numerous Chinese shrines will host small celebrations during Chinese New Year 2025. These are worth visiting for an authentic, local experience.
Chinese New Year in Samui
Chinese New Year in Koh Samui centres around the festivities at the Chinese temple in Maenam. Expect to see colourful lion and dragon processions as well as a variety of beach parties. Maenam is family-friendly, and the festivities here cater to families visiting during this special time of the year.
Witness small-scale, authentically Chinese-Thai celebrations at the Hainan temple on Samui’s west coast in Nathon. A word of caution – celebrations here aren’t for the faint of heart. They are similar to Phuket’s Vegetarian Festival and feature face piercings and self-mutilation. Hua Thanon also has Chinese New Year celebrations at the Guan Yu Shrine.
Discover an elite haven in Thailand
Whether you are travelling to Phuket or Koh Samui, we have the perfect luxury villa for you. Spacious accommodations with private swimming pools and stunning vistas, you will love our stunning villas, ideal for couples, groups of friends and families.
Ask the Elite Concierge for whatever you need and they will take care of it all. They can also offer superb local advice regarding Chinese New Year festivities at your selected destination. And don’t forget the luxury of your private chef preparing scrumptious meals for you in the comfort of your villa.
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