Lunar New Year falls on February 16 this year. According to the Chinese zodiac, 2018 will be the Year of the Earth Dog, following the Year of the Fire Rooster in 2017. Lunar New Year is the most important holiday for the Chinese and some of the East and Southeast Asian countries. Celebrations traditionally run from the evening preceding the first day, to the Lantern Festival on the 15th day of the first calendar month. Lunar New Year preparations — in pictures.