Overview
- Many communities follow lunar, solar, or religious calendars, so their new year falls outside Jan. 1, which is often observed separately under local names.
- Lunar observances in January and February include Chinese New Year with multi-day celebrations and regional versions such as Vietnam’s Tết.
- Solar new years cluster in April, including Thailand’s Songkran (April 13–15), Laos’ Pi Mai, Myanmar’s Thingyan, and Cambodia’s Choul Chnam Thmey.
- India observes multiple regional new years in March–April, including Ugadi/Gudi Padwa, Puthandu/Vishu, Bohag Bihu/Poila Boishakh, and Vaisakhi.
- 2026 highlights include Korea’s Seollal on February 17, a Chinese New Year window between February 17 and March 3, Bali’s Nyepi on March 19 with a 24-hour shutdown, and the Hijri New Year around June 16–17.