Chinese New Year 2026
Welcoming the Year of the Fire Horse in Auckland and Queenstown
Chinese New Year runs from Tuesday 17 February 2026 to Tuesday 3 March 2026, marking the beginning of the Year of the Fire Horse. Associated with energy, confidence, boldness, and the colour red, this year is all about movement and momentum, which feels fitting in the middle of a New Zealand summer.
Whether you are celebrating in Auckland or Queenstown, there is plenty happening.
Auckland leads the celebrations
Auckland is home to one of the largest Chinese communities in New Zealand, and Chinese New Year celebrations here are vibrant and full of life.
A major highlight for 2026 is the 2026 Chinese New Year Festival & Market Day, taking place on 14 February 2026 at the Auckland Showgrounds. Hosted by the Auckland Chinese Community Centre, the event features:
Traditional cultural performances
Lion dances
Food stalls and market vendors
Community celebrations and family activities
Full details and updates can be found here
https://chinesenewyear.nz/
Another standout event is The Happy Chinese New Year Concert 2026, a special performance blending Chinese opera, Western opera, and Māori folk songs alongside a symphony orchestra. It is a great example of Auckland’s multicultural character coming together in one celebration.
With multiple venues and events across the city, having your own car makes everything easier. You can move between locations, avoid crowded public transport, and combine celebrations with a beach visit, harbour walk, or dinner in a different suburb.
A relaxed summer celebration in Queenstown
Queenstown offers a more understated but equally enjoyable way to mark Chinese New Year. With its strong international visitor base, many restaurants and venues acknowledge the occasion with themed menus and festive touches.
Picture a waterfront dinner, a warm evening stroll along Lake Wakatipu, and perhaps a scenic drive before or after. It is a calm and beautiful way to welcome a year focused on fresh starts and forward movement.
You can also turn the celebration into a short regional escape. Visit Arrowtown, explore Glenorchy, or enjoy a Central Otago winery during the day, then return to town for an evening meal.
If you would like to see how Queenstown celebrated last year, you can revisit our 2025 guide here
Make it more than a single event
Chinese New Year is about renewal. It is a time to try something new, visit somewhere different, and set the tone for the year ahead.
In Auckland, that might mean exploring neighbourhoods beyond the CBD. In Queenstown, it might mean finally taking that scenic drive you have been putting off.
Having a rental car gives you the freedom to shape the experience your way. Stay longer, leave later, and move at your own pace rather than following fixed transport times.
Start the Year of the Fire Horse with freedom
If you are celebrating Chinese New Year 2026 in Auckland or Queenstown, make getting around simple.
Book directly with Evolve Rentals and enjoy a personalised, stress free rental experience that lets you explore properly.
New year, fresh energy, and the freedom to make the most of it.