Lunar New Year 2027 in Canada: date, Year of the Goat, red envelopes and gold gifts

When is Lunar New Year 2027?

Lunar New Year starts on the first day of the first month of the lunar calendar. Each month starts on the day of the new moon. The new moon falls on February 6, 2027, so that is the first day of the new year in China and Vietnam.

Why is Seollal a day later? Korea is one hour ahead of China. The 2027 new moon happens just before midnight in China but just after midnight in Korea. The Korea Aerospace Administration's official 2027 calendar lists Seollal on February 7, with holidays in Korea from February 6 to 9.

In Canada, Lunar New Year is not a statutory holiday. Most families celebrate on the weekend of February 6 and 7, which makes 2027 an easy year to gather.

Is 2027 the Year of the Goat?

Yes. Royal Museums Greenwich lists 2027 as the Year of the Goat. The same animal is often called the Sheep or the Ram in English. In Vietnamese it is Mùi, and the year is called Đinh Mùi. The Year of the Goat runs until the next Lunar New Year in early 2028.

Zodiac animals often appear on gifts. Jewellers often offer zodiac designs, such as a charm, pendant or coin. A goat charm is a natural gift for a child born in 2027 or for someone whose own zodiac sign is the goat.

How is Lunar New Year celebrated in Canada?

Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and other East and Southeast Asian communities in Canada mark the new year. The Government of Canada describes families cleaning and decorating their homes ahead of time, wearing red, hanging red lanterns and couplets, and sharing a reunion dinner with dishes like dumplings, sweet rice cakes and fish.

Adults give young children red envelopes with money inside, as a blessing for a safe and peaceful year. Red envelopes are called hóngbāo in Mandarin and lai see in Cantonese. In Vietnamese the gift of lucky money is lì xì.

Cities with large communities, such as Toronto, Markham, Richmond and Vancouver, usually hold parades, fairs and temple events around the new year. Check your city's events page in January for 2027 details, as dates are set each year.

Common greetings, as used in the B.C. Premier's Lunar New Year message:

• Cantonese: Kung Hei Fat Choi
• Mandarin: Gong Xi Fa Cai
• Vietnamese: Chúc Mừng Năm Mới
• Korean: Saehae bok mani badeuseyo

Why is gold given at Lunar New Year?

Gold stands for wealth and good fortune in many Asian cultures, and it keeps its value. That makes it a popular new-year gift, especially for children, newlyweds and elders.

• Chinese and Korean families mostly give cash in red envelopes. Some families choose a small gold piece instead, such as a zodiac charm or a coin in a red pouch, because it lasts.
• Vietnamese families have a strong gold-buying custom. On the 10th day of the new year, God of Wealth Day (ngày vía Thần Tài), many people buy a little gold for luck and prosperity for the year. Shops in Vietnam open early to meet the crowds. Plain round rings are a popular choice because they are easy to resell. In 2027 the 10th day is Monday, February 15.

How do you buy gold for Lunar New Year in Canada?

1. Check purity. Look for the stamp: 24K is 99.9% gold, 22K is 91.6%, 18K is 75%, 14K is 58.5% and 10K is 41.7%.
2. Compare the gold value with the price. Ask for the weight in grams. Multiply by the day's 24K price per gram and the purity. The rest is the store's making charge and margin.
3. Ask for grams. If a shop quotes in a traditional unit, ask for the weight in grams so you can compare.
4. Shop early. Stores can get busy just before the new year.
5. Keep the receipt showing weight and purity, in case the gift is resold later.

If you send money home instead, check the gold price in that country first. Prices in Hong Kong, China and Vietnam can differ from Canada's. RemitBee Gold, coming in early 2027, plans to offer pure 24K gold from $10 at the live market price; the waitlist is at gold.remitbee.com.

What are good Lunar New Year gold gift ideas?

• A 24K goat zodiac charm or pendant for a child born in 2027
• A 1 g or 2.5 g gold bar in a red pouch, in place of a red envelope
• A plain 24K ring, the classic Vietnamese God of Wealth Day buy
• A gold coin for newlyweds celebrating their first new year
• A gold bracelet or bangle for a parent or grandparent

Compare prices with the gold price in Hong Kong, the gold price in China and the gold price in Vietnam. To check what a piece is really worth, use our gold value calculator.

Common questions

Sources

• Royal Museums Greenwich: Lunar New Year dates and zodiac animals
• Government of Canada: Statement on Lunar New Year (customs in Canada)
• Government of B.C.: Premier's statement on Lunar New Year (greetings)
• The Herald Business (Herald Corp, June 29, 2026): Korea Aerospace Administration 2027 calendar, Seollal February 7
• Moonsighting.com: new moon of February 6, 2027 (15:56 UT)
• Tuyensinh247: Tết Đinh Mùi 2027 date
• Viet Nam News (February 2024): Many people buy gold on God of Wealth Day

Checked against these sources on October 24, 2026. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.