Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is the most important holiday in China and for Chinese communities worldwide, marking the beginning of a new year based Lunisolar calendar. Which last for 15 days, it is a time for family reunions, and honoring traditions that date back to thousands of years ago.

Celebrations typically involve cleaning homes, setting off fireworks to scare away bad luck, and decorating with the color red to symbolize prosperity. The festival ends with the Lantern Festival, featuring, dances, and, and red envelopes filled with money.

The Chinese New Year, or Spring Festival, follows a 12-year cycle where each year is represented by a specific animal based on ancient Chinese folklore. According to legend, these animals earned their place in the zodiac by winning a celestial race, with the Rat taking first place and the Pig finishing last.

The twelve animals a Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig are believed to influence the personality traits of people born in that year. These zodiac animals are central to cultural traditions, symbolizing distinct characteristics and influencing fortunes throughout the year.

Where to find Chinese New Year Activities

Not only is Chinese New Year celebrated in Asia, but it’s also celebrated all throughout America. Just like many other states Nashville Tennessee has many ways to celebrate Chinese New Year. One of the most famous Chinese New Year attractions in Nashville is the Nashville Zoo’s Zoolumination event.

Zoolumination at the Nashville Zoo, is the country’s largest annual light show, features over 1,000 custom-made silk lanterns, live entertainment, and, through Feb. 8, 2026, themed displays at the Nashville Zoo. Held from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., this event offers a 3-mile, illuminated walking tour, including a 50-foot-tall lantern castle.

Centennial Park is also hosting a free Chinese New Year Celebration on Saturday February 21st from 11am-3pm.

This annual event welcomes the community to a discovery and celebration of Chinese culture. This coming Lunar New Year is the Year of the Horse, which symbolizes vitality, perseverance, warm heartedness, and success.

The Year of the Fire Horse is 2026, with the Lunar New Year starting on February 17, 2026, and ending on February 5, 2027. As a rare, 60-year cycle event (last in 1966), it represents a period of intense energy, passion, and, for many, a, fast-paced, and transformative year. It is characterized by boldness and action-oriented changes.

Every 60 years one of the Chinese Zodiac animals earn an element to go with that year. They could either be earth, water, fire or ground in which this year is the Year of the Fire horse of the year of the Yang Fire horse.

The Chinese Arts Alliance of Nashville are bringing many fun and amazing activities such as watching traditional lion dances, dragon dances, and street folk dances designed to bring good luck. Live music, including drumming and singing, is featured.

Also, crafts like creating origami, making, and, specific to the 2026 Year of the Horse, activities like tape-the-tail-on-the-horse and horse-themed arts. People especially children can learn about the Culture of Chinese New Year and how it reached America.

The event also brings together hundreds of attendees to celebrate in the park, with food and many other activities.

This event is sponsored by the Nissan Foundation, the Tennessee Arts Commission Staff, the Metro Arts center and many other companies or foundations.