Cover image via Ng Sze Han
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Reports that Selangor is "celebrating Chinese New Year early" next month have caused confusion, with people wondering whether the festival itself is being brought forward
It isn't.
Chinese New Year in 2026 still falls on Tuesday, 17 February, according to the lunar calendar. Public holidays remain on 17 and 18 February, with families observing reunion dinners and traditional celebrations as usual.
Only Selangor's state-level Chinese New Year celebration, which is the government's official public open house, is being moved.
Here's what's actually happening
According to an Astro Awani report, Selangor Executive Councillor for Investment, Trade, and Mobility Ng Sze Han announced that the state will hold its official CNY celebration on Saturday, 7 February 2026, at Taman Rekreasi Wawasan, Puchong.
The event is expected to run from 5pm to 10pm and draw more than 10,000 visitors.
It's being held earlier because of a calendar conflict.
In 2026, CNY on 17 February falls almost just before the expected start of Ramadan, around 18 or 19 February.
According to the exco, holding a large public feast during the fasting month would create practical constraints for attendance and food-related activities. Shifting the open house to 7 February avoids that clash.
The event will feature cultural performances, children's angpau distributions, and souvenir rice packs for visitors. It will also introduce a new "rice mixing" ceremony in place of the usual yee sang tossing.
The state is encouraging attendees to use public transport due to traffic concerns around the Puchong venue.
Crucially, the date change applies only to the state government's official celebration
It does not affect the real CNY date.
It also does not affect the public holidays, reunion dinners, religious or family traditions, as those remain fixed on 17 and 18 February.
