Culture and Engagement How to celebrate Lunar New Year in your workplace Learning more about your colleagues and their cultural backgrounds is a great way to build inclusion and employee engagement. Tricia Burton 5 minute read • Updated January 6, 2026 Table of contents You might also like… Intranet use cases Learn about effective intranet use cases ThoughtFarmer examples See our LookBook intranet examples Navigate intranet vendors See how G2 ranks industry competitors It’s time to get festive! The Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year, will be celebrated on February 17th, 2026 this year. It is the year of the Horse according to the 12-year Chinese zodiac cycle. The Lunar New Year is a 15-day celebration that celebrates all things positive while wishing peace, longevity, health, and luck for the new year. It starts on a slightly different day in January or February of each year, as it follows the Chinese lunisolar calendar, instead of the Gregorian calendar. We’ve put together a few ways to learn about traditions, as well as some innovative ideas to celebrate the Year of the Horse in your workplace. The Year of the Horse The Year of the Horse in the Chinese zodiac symbolizes energy, freedom, and enthusiasm. People born under this sign are often seen as spirited, independent, and charismatic. They are known for their warmth, optimism, and natural ability to inspire others with their confidence and passion for life. The Horse also represents progress and forward momentum, suggesting a year of action, adventure, and positive change. Those born in the Year of the Horse are considered hardworking, honest, and sociable. They have a strong desire for freedom and new experiences, often thriving in dynamic environments where they can express their creativity and take initiative. In Chinese culture, the Horse is viewed as a noble and powerful animal, embodying both strength and grace. This year encourages us to embrace spontaneity, pursue our goals with determination, and maintain an optimistic outlook even when facing challenges. It’s a time to gallop forward with courage and enthusiasm toward new opportunities. Creative ways to celebrate Chinese New Year in your workplace Participate in cultural learning Acknowledging religious and cultural holidays is an important step towards fostering diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Chinese New Year focuses on starting fresh for the year and removing anything negative. This history of the Chinese New Year goes back over 3000 years and originated within the Shang Dynasty. Take the time to educate employees on the history of the Lunar celebration and its meaning by creating a post on your intranet. From there you can add links to educational resources, local festivals, or a photo gallery. It’s fun for people to learn about their Chinese zodiac signs, as well as the characteristics and personality traits associated with each sign. Decorate your office or virtual workspace An easy way to celebrate Chinese New Year is to decorate your workplace (or intranet). Transform your office space with vibrant dragon motifs. Hang red lanterns and streamers, and place dragon figurines or artwork around the office to bring in the festive spirit. The color red symbolizes luck and joy in Chinese culture, and these red decorations will energize and uplift your workspace. Red lantern decorations are very traditional for Chinese New Year celebrations as they symbolize wealth, fame, and prosperity. Red envelopes are also associated with Chinese new year. Red is associated with luck, happiness, and good fortune, so when you hand out red envelopes with money, you are wishing your colleagues blessings, happiness, and prosperity! Clean your workplace/workspace While tidying up may not seem relevant to Lunar New Year, it is traditional for families to clean their houses and the areas surrounding before the start of the new year. The word ‘dust’ in Chinese is a homophone for ‘old’, therefore cleaning your house is symbolic of driving away the bad luck of the previous year to allow for a new start. Celebrate with a traditional lucky lunch If the majority of your employees work onsite, why not organize a cultural potluck? A potluck to celebrate the Chinese New Year is the perfect way to encourage diversity and inclusion within your workplace. Dumplings are not only delicious, they also represent wealth and prosperity. Noodles represent a long life, and tangerines represent good luck. You could also organize a prosperity salad, also known as Yu Sheng. It typically consists of a platter of salmon with shredded carrot, white radish, green radish, cucumber, pickled ginger, sesame seeds, sesame oil, spices and more. Get inspired by award-winning intranets Create a digital workplace that builds community and celebrates culture Download now Attend a traditional celebration Lunar New Year is a festive occasion around the world. Grab some colleagues and take a field trip to your local Chinatown to take in the sights, sounds, and smells of this celebration. Enjoy a festive lunch, catch a dragon dance, or attend a lantern parade. Don’t forget to share photos on your intranet afterwards. Host art and creativity sessions You can organize Chinese New Year-themed arts and craft sessions. Employees can create sculptures, paintings, or even try their hand at Chinese calligraphy. This not only fuels creativity but also serves as a stress-reliever. Let’s celebrate 2026, together Lunar New Year is an occasion for millions across the globe, and something your employees already celebrate. Learning more about your colleagues and their cultural backgrounds is a great way to build inclusion and, in turn, employee engagement. On behalf of the ThoughtFarmer team, we want to wish everyone prosperity and good fortune throughout this Chinese New Year.