💡 Quick answer: Chinese New Year 2027 falls on Saturday 6 February, the start of the Year of the Fire Goat. You can set off fireworks on private land with the landowner's permission, and the curfew runs until 1am rather than the usual 11pm, one of only four nights in UK law where that applies. Red and gold effects are the traditional choice, and a proper garden display starts from under £50.
I get asked about Chinese New Year fireworks every year, usually from customers planning a family reunion, a restaurant opening, or just wanting to mark the occasion properly at home. For Chinese New Year, fireworks are the main event, not a decoration bolted onto the evening. The noise and colour are meant to see off bad luck and bring in a good year. So here's a proper guide, with the actual dates, the actual law, and real fireworks at real prices.
When is Chinese New Year 2027?
Chinese New Year 2027 falls on Saturday 6 February 2027, marking the start of the Year of the Fire Goat (sometimes translated as the Year of the Sheep). The date moves every year because it follows the lunar calendar rather than the fixed Gregorian one, landing on the second new moon after the winter solstice. That's why it can fall anywhere between 21 January and 20 February depending on the year.
Celebrations traditionally run for 15 days from New Year's Day, but the main event for most households is New Year's Eve (5 February 2027) and New Year's Day itself. That's when reunion dinners happen, and when fireworks and firecrackers are traditionally set off to welcome the new year in.
Why do people set off fireworks for Chinese New Year?
Fireworks and firecrackers trace back to China, with early bamboo crackers dating back roughly 2,000 years. The tradition comes from an old legend about a beast called Nian, said to attack villages at the turn of the year until people discovered that loud noise, bright light, and the colour red frightened it off. That story is why Chinese New Year is still marked with firecrackers, fireworks, and red decorations everywhere you look, from lanterns to envelopes to clothing. Our piece on when fireworks were invented covers the fuller history if you want to read more.
Red symbolises luck and prosperity, and gold represents wealth, which is why those two colours dominate Chinese New Year displays specifically, rather than the full rainbow you'd see on Bonfire Night or New Year's Eve.
What time can you set off fireworks for Chinese New Year in the UK?
The standard UK fireworks curfew runs from 11pm to 7am under the Fireworks Regulations 2004. But Chinese New Year is one of only four occasions in the year where that curfew is extended, and on this occasion it's extended further than most:
- 5 November (Bonfire Night) – curfew extended to midnight
- New Year's Eve – curfew extended to 1am
- Chinese New Year – curfew extended to 1am
- Diwali – curfew extended to 1am
So on Chinese New Year's Eve (5 February 2027), you can legally set fireworks off right through until 1am on 6 February, the new year itself. Every other night of the year, you'd need to stop by 11pm. This applies in England and Wales. Scotland runs a stricter regime under the Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Act 2022: the public may generally only use fireworks between 6pm and 11pm, extended to 6pm–1am on New Year's Eve, Chinese New Year and Diwali, and 6pm to midnight on 5 November.
You still need permission to use the land you're firing from (your own garden, or somewhere you have the landowner's consent), and only F1–F3 category consumer fireworks are legal for the public to use; F4 fireworks are professional-only. For the complete rundown on ages, categories, and noise limits, see our UK fireworks law 2026 guide, and for a wider look at which nights of the year carry extended curfews, our why are there fireworks tonight? guide has the full grid.
Can you buy fireworks for Chinese New Year whenever you want?
Under the Fireworks Regulations 2004, retailers without an all-year licence can only sell consumer fireworks during set windows: 15 October to 10 November, 26 to 31 December, and for Chinese New Year, the day itself plus the three days immediately before it. For 2027, that unlicensed window is 3 to 6 February.
Galactic Fireworks holds an all-year selling licence, so you're not restricted to that four-day window with us. Order from our Chinese New Year Fireworks collection any time you like and plan your display properly, rather than scrambling in the last few days before the date.
What fireworks should you buy for Chinese New Year?
Red and gold effects are the traditional choice, but the honest answer is: buy what suits your space and budget. A small garden display doesn't need the same fireworks as a big family reunion in a field. Here's what I'd actually recommend at three different budgets, all real products with current prices.
Small garden display, under £50
If you're firing from a standard garden, stick to F2 category fireworks (8 metre safety distance) and keep it simple. Oriental Stars (£5.99) is a low-noise F2 cake that fires a constant stream of red and green pearls with a lively crackle over about 30 seconds, a genuinely good fit for a Chinese New Year garden show and priced so you can buy two or three. Pair it with Reign of Fire (£29.99), another F2 cake that trades shot count for size, 19 big single breaks rather than a fast scatter. Add a box of gold sparklers for the kids and you've got a proper show for well under £50.
A proper show, £150–£250
Step up to F3 category (25 metre safety distance, so you'll need a larger garden or field) and you're into serious red-and-gold territory. Golden Goblin (£49.99) does exactly what the name suggests, 36 shots of red and gold pearls fired straight up for big, attention-grabbing breaks. For the centrepiece, Gold Rush (£149.99) is one of our own-brand pieces and it's built for exactly this occasion: 80 shots of dark-golden willow breaks over ground-level gold mines, running a full 80 seconds on one fuse. Add Bellagio (£189.99) if you want a longer show, 114 shots choreographed to sweep the whole sky.
Go big, £300+
Orders over £300 ship free, and at this budget you can put together a display that runs several minutes without a gap. Combine Gold Rush (£149.99) with Infamous (£199.99), an F3 fan firework that spreads 210 shots wide on a single fuse for wave after wave with no let-up, plus a box of ice fountains for the table if part of your celebration is indoors or under cover. That's a full display with an actual finale, not three fireworks in a row, all in traditional red and gold.
Whatever budget you're working to, check the safety distance printed on the firework itself before you buy, not just the category. Browse the full range in our Chinese New Year Fireworks collection, or if you want to build a wider display around compound fireworks, our compound fireworks range has more chain-fused options.
What colours are traditional for Chinese New Year fireworks?
Red and gold dominate for a reason. Red is the colour most associated with Chinese New Year across decorations, clothing, and gifts, symbolising luck, happiness, and protection from bad fortune. Gold represents wealth and prosperity for the year ahead. That's why Golden Goblin and Gold Rush, both built around gold pearl and willow effects, make this list, and why a red cake like Oriental Stars is the natural starting point if you're on a budget.
- Fire after the reunion dinner, once it's properly dark, rather than rushing it in at dusk.
- Check your firework's safety distance label, not just its F-category, and clear that space of spectators before lighting.
- Keep a bucket of water or a hose nearby, and never return to a firework that hasn't gone off.
- If you're firing near neighbours, a quick knock on the door beforehand goes a long way, especially since the 1am curfew is later than they might expect.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Chinese New Year 2027?
Chinese New Year 2027 falls on Saturday 6 February 2027, marking the start of the Year of the Fire Goat. The date follows the lunar calendar, so it moves each year and can fall anywhere between 21 January and 20 February.
What time can you set off fireworks on Chinese New Year in the UK?
You can set off fireworks until 1am on Chinese New Year in England and Wales, an hour later than the standard 11pm curfew. It's one of only four occasions with an extended curfew, alongside New Year's Eve, Diwali, and Bonfire Night (which extends to midnight rather than 1am). Scotland runs a similar extension from an earlier 6pm–11pm baseline.
Can you buy fireworks for Chinese New Year all year round?
Under the Fireworks Regulations 2004, retailers without an all-year selling licence can only sell fireworks in the four days up to and including Chinese New Year itself, 3 to 6 February for 2027. Galactic Fireworks holds an all-year licence, so you can order from us any time.
Do you need a licence to set off fireworks for Chinese New Year?
No. Any responsible adult aged 18 or over can buy and fire F1–F3 category consumer fireworks with no licence required in England, Scotland, or Wales. You just need permission to use the land you're firing from. Only F4 professional display fireworks require a licensed operator.
What are the best fireworks for Chinese New Year?
Red and gold effects suit the occasion best. Oriental Stars (red and green pearls with crackle) is a solid budget garden option, Golden Goblin delivers proper red and gold bursts, and Gold Rush is our standout centrepiece, 80 shots of gold willow breaks over gold mines built specifically for occasions like this one.
How much do Chinese New Year fireworks cost?
Small garden cakes start from £5.99. A solid garden display comes together for under £50. Step up to F3 compounds and centrepiece fireworks and you're in the £150–£250 range for a proper show. Orders over £300 ship free UK mainland.
What safety distance do you need for Chinese New Year fireworks?
It depends on the firework's category, always check the label rather than assuming. F2 fireworks need a minimum 8 metre safety distance from spectators, suited to most gardens. F3 fireworks need 25 metres, so you'll need a larger garden or a field.
Why are fireworks used for Chinese New Year?
Fireworks and firecrackers originated in China and became linked to New Year celebrations through a legend about a beast called Nian, which was said to be frightened off by loud noise, bright light, and the colour red. That's why the tradition, and the colour scheme, has stuck for centuries.
