Chinese New Year 2026 Date Revealed — And It Starts With a ‘Ring of Fire’ Eclipse

On February 17, 2026, a unique celestial convergence will occur when a “ring of fire” annular solar eclipse results from the same new moon that announces the beginning of the Chinese Lunar New Year (the Year of the Fire Horse) and, 24 hours later, the beginning of the Islamic fasting month Ramadan.

Key Facts

An annular solar eclipse on February 17 will produce a “ring of fire” visible for more than 2 minutes from Antarctica. It will be followed two weeks later by the last total lunar eclipse until 2029, which will be visible across North America.

The new moon on February 17 marks both Lunar New Year (the start of a new year on the lunisolar calendar, especially for East Asian civilisations) and the beginning of Ramadan (the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar and a holy period for fasting from dawn to dark).

The Year of the Fire Horse, which begins February 17, 2026, was last seen in 1966. It takes over for the Year of the Wood Snake. According to the South China Morning Post, the Chinese lunisolar calendar is one of the oldest methods of timekeeping.

Background

Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year or Spring Festival, begins on the second new moon following the winter solstice, which occurs in January or February. This year, it falls on February 17. The same new moon generates an annular solar eclipse, which appears as a brilliant “ring of fire” over Antarctica. The Chinese zodiac, which includes 12 animals and five elements, repeats every 60 years.

The following day, on February 18, the Islamic calendar will most likely observe the sighting of the crescent moon, signalling the start of the holy month Ramadan. It’s known as the Ramadan Moon since it appears marks the end of the Islamic month of Shaban and the start of Ramadan. Clerics in Mecca, Saudi Arabia — the Prophet Muhammad’s birthplace — will watch for the crescent moon to mark the beginning and end of the fasting month, though many Muslims around the world rely on local sightings.

The Year of the Fire Horse And The ‘Ring of Fire’

The Year of the Fire Horse last appeared in 1966, and it will not return until 2086. It begins, appropriately, with a real “ring of fire” – an annular solar eclipse on February 17. During the rare event, the moon will cover 96% of the sun, creating a brilliant annulus in the sky for up to 2 minutes and 20 seconds.

However, it will only be seen from distant Antarctic research outposts such as Concordia and Mirny. Partial phases will be visible in parts of southern Africa and South America, as well as on isolated islands such as Mauritius and Reunion. This zodiac year will end exactly as it began: with another annular solar eclipse on February 6, 2027, visible from South America and West Africa.

The total lunar eclipse of March

Skywatchers will not have to wait long for another celestial treat after the stunning eclipse on February 17 and the New Year’s celebrations. On March 3, 2026, the Lantern Festival will coincide with a total lunar eclipse, the year’s sole “blood moon.” This somewhat shallow eclipse, visible before dawn in the United States, will tint the moon reddish for 58 minutes when it enters Earth’s centre shadow. It’s the only total lunar eclipse of the year, and the last one on Earth until December 31, 2028. Western North America will get to witness it all.