Lunar New Year
The Lunar New Year is an international holiday celebrated in many Asian countries, but not all, and the United States even has its own celebrations.
Unlike western New Year's, the date of Lunar New Year changes depending on the year. But regardless of the date, each culture that celebrates the Lunar New Year has lasting customs, traditions and beliefs.
Globally, around two billion people celebrate the Lunar New Year. Here is what you need to know about the Lunar New Year in 2025: when it is, how long it is and what the Year of the Snake represents.
UCSF EVENTS
HOW LONG IS LUNAR NEW YEAR?
Unlike western New Year, Lunar New Year lasts longer than one day. The amount of celebration days depends on the culture. Some observances are longer than others. The Lunar New Year is based on a different calendar than the Gregorian calendar, which many western countries, including the U.S., use. The calendar is based on the moon's 12 phases, based on the lunar calendar or lunisolar calendar. Each phase lasts about 29 days, and the full calendar is around 354 days long.
In China, Lunar New Year lasts from the new moon to the next full moon. This is a fifteen day span until the fifth day of the lunar month.
In 2025, Lunar New Year begins on Wednesday, January 29 and ends on Sunday, February 23, 2025
The upcoming Lunar New Year dates corresponding to the Gregorian calendar are:
- Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025
- Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026
- Saturday, Feb. 6, 2027
WHO CELEBRATES LUNAR NEW YEAR?
Lunar New Year is celebrated throughout many Asian cultures. Among those are Chinese, South Korean, Vietnamese, Singaporean, Malaysian, Filipino and Indonesian culture.
Additionally, each has its own name for New Year. In South Korea, Lunar New Year is called Seollal. In Vietnam, Lunar New Year is called Tết, short for Tết Nguyên Đán.
The number of celebration days also varies depending on the country. In South Korea, Seollal usually lasts for three days, while in China, Lunar New Year spans 15 days. In Vietnam, Tết Nguyên Đán is a week long.
LUNAR NEW YEAR ZODIAC
In the Chinese Zodiac, there are 12 animals; each with its own attributes and characteristics. These 12 animals coincide with the lunar calendar and fall in a 12-year cycle.
The order of the Chinese Zodiac is Rat, Ox (in China) or Buffalo (in Vietnam), Tiger, Rabbit (in China) or Cat (in Vietnam), Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig.
2025 is the Year of the Snake.
Personality Traits of Snake Signs
Snakes are sensitive, effective, and adaptable, positive personality traits often complemented by a considerable intelligence. They are usually amiable and even-tempered, showing a cool and calm exterior punctuated by occasional bouts of perfectly-timed energy and passion.
They move elegantly through the social sphere, armed with their wide range of interests and hobbies, which add to their intrigue and mystery. They’re often artistic, which makes them taste-makers others look to for guidance.
In emergencies, Snakes show their true value by remaining calm and collected, not losing an ounce of their ability to analyze the situation and come up with the best solution while remaining a dependable presence.
In daily life, Snake people are easy-going and fascinating for their mystery while also needing alone time to smooth their sensitivities. If they can learn to be vulnerable, Snake will find a new world opening to them.
Snake Strengths
Snakes are self-respecting and steadfast; therefore, external voices won’t shake their resolve. They’re goal-oriented, and while they don’t often appear outwardly passionate, they’re blessed with a keen intuition and ample inspiration, making them very creative.
Indeed, Snake may well choose a career in art because they make connections between subjects. They also possess excellent taste, glide among the elite with elegance, and can remain calm in the most stressful situations.
Snake Weaknesses
Snakes are emotionally detached, which can, at times, manifest as coldness or selfishness. Others distrust them, as they seem to be calculating and only concerned with their own welfare, and Snakes distrust others in return.
With their romantic partners, Snakes may struggle to be vulnerable and will try to protect themselves with their usual detachment—which spells romantic failure and will, unfortunately, reinforce Snakes’ distrust for others in the future.
IS LUNAR NEW YEAR AN OBSERVED HOLIDAY?
Lunar New Year is not a federal public holiday and is not a formally observed holiday at UCSF. However, a new bill signed by Governor Gavin Newsom is honoring an important cultural holiday in a new way. AB 2596 recognizes Lunar New Year as an official state holiday. The bill would authorize state employees, with specified exceptions, to elect to receive 8 hours of holiday credit for the “Lunar New Year” in lieu of receiving 8 hours of personal holiday credit, and to elect to use 8 hours of vacation, annual leave, or compensating time off, consistent with departmental operational needs and collective bargaining agreements, for “Lunar New Year,” as specified.
“The Lunar New Year celebrates a chance to leave behind the troubles of the past year and invite prosperity and good luck moving forward. Recognizing this day as a state holiday acknowledges the diversity and cultural significance Asian Americans bring to California and provides an opportunity for all Californians to participate in the significance of the Lunar Year.” – Governor Gavin Newsom
Legislation introduced to create Lunar New Year as a federal holiday
U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Queens), First Vice Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, announced in Jaunary 31, 2022, introducing new legislation to create a federal holiday for Lunar New Year. Meng’s measure would make Lunar New Year a federally recognized holiday in the United States, adding it to the list of eleven federal holidays that are currently recognized. The bill was introduced with 44 cosponsors.
A copy of Meng’s holiday bill, titled the “Lunar New Year Day Act,” can be viewed here. A copy of her resolution, called “Recognizing the cultural and historical significance of Lunar New Year in 2022,” which has 71 cosponsors, is available here.
CELEBRATING LUNAR NEW YEAR
The UC Asian Pacific Islander Staff Association (APISA) created a toolkit on Lunar New Year, which is copied here. TOOLKIT.
Taking Time Off
Lunar New Year is not a federal public holiday and is not a formally observed holiday at UCSF.
As of 2022, the new CA state law authorizes any state employee to receive eight hours of holiday credit rather than personal holiday credit and utilize eight hours of vacation, annual leave or compensating time off to observe the Lunar New Year. APISA is currently seeking guidance from leadership on how to report hours. Until further guidance, staff must take personal vacation hours to take time off. You can help spread awareness about Lunar New Year by requesting time off and noting to your supervisor it is specifically to celebrate Lunar New Year.
- Request time off ahead of a check-in with a supervisor. Here are some sample e-mail requests.
- Consider sharing that you are celebrating in your Out of Office reply. Gather inspiration with these fellow staff member examples.
Celebrating at Work
On site or remote, you can share your celebration with co-workers by:
- Suggest a team lunch outing (or order in) to a local restaurant in Chinatown Oakland.
- Focus a team check-in around reflections on Lunar New Year themes such as prosperity.
- Take a team walking tour or a snack break in Chinatown Oakland.
- Spread awareness by celebrating with a Lunar Year virtual background. UC-themed ones available here
Examples of Requests to Supervisor
Subject: Time off Request for Year of the Rabbit Lunar New Year
Dear ____________,
I am writing to request a day/week off to observe Lunar New Year. This year, the high holiday time falls on ________ [See calendar dates for upcoming Lunar New Year here], with Lunar New Year falling on ______.
Recognized as a state holiday, I would like to request eight hours of holiday credit rather than personal holiday credit and utilizing eight hours of vacation, annual leave or compensating tie off to observe Lunar New Year as recommended by state law.
Thank you for your consideration,
Subject: Taking Time Off For Lunar New Year of the Cat
Hello ___________,
As recommended by the 2022 state law recognizing Lunar New Year as a state holiday, I am writing to request eight hours of holiday credit rather than personal holiday credit, vacation time, annual leave or compensating time off to celebrate Vietnamese Lunar New Year on ______. Given the significance of this holiday (it’s like Christmas, Thanksgiving and everyone’s birthday rolled into one) it is important for me to be with my family.
Thank you for considering,
Example of Out of Office Reply
Thank you for your email. I am out of the office from ______ to ______ in observation of California state holiday, Lunar New Year of the Cat.
I will respond to you email upon return on __________.
Chúc mừng năm mới OR 새해 복 많이 받으세요 OR 新年快乐 OR 恭喜发财 (Happy New Year),