Chinese Winter 2026–2027: Starts 7 Nov

Exact instants · UTC+8

The six terms of winter

The season opens at 17:52:05 on 7 November 2026 and continues until 09:46:18 on 4 February 2027. The boundary instant belongs to the new season.

1 of six · 225° solar longitude
Beginning of Winter
Lìdōng · 立冬
7 November 2026 · 17:52:05
Opens the Pig branch month.
Water begins to freeze · The ground begins to freeze · Pheasants are said to enter the sea and become giant clams
2 of six · 240° solar longitude
Minor Snow
Xiǎoxuě · 小雪
22 November 2026 · 15:23:21
A principal term inside the branch month.
Rainbows hide from sight · Heaven’s qi rises; earth’s qi descends · All closes up as winter sets in
3 of six · 255° solar longitude
Major Snow
Dàxuě · 大雪
7 December 2026 · 10:52:32
Opens the Rat branch month.
The night-calling hedan falls silent · Tigers begin to mate · Chinese iris sprouts
4 of six · 270° solar longitude
Winter Solstice
Dōngzhì · 冬至
22 December 2026 · 04:50:14
A principal term inside the branch month.
Earthworms curl up · Milu deer shed their antlers · Springs begin to flow
5 of six · 285° solar longitude
Minor Cold
Xiǎohán · 小寒
5 January 2027 · 22:09:58
Opens the Ox branch month.
Wild geese turn north · Magpies begin to build nests · Pheasants begin to call
6 of six · 300° solar longitude
Major Cold
Dàhán · 大寒
20 January 2027 · 15:29:50
A principal term inside the branch month.
Hens begin to brood · Raptors grow fierce and swift · Ponds freeze solid to their depths

Three animal months inside the season

Pig · 亥

Fixed branch element: Water

7 November 2026, 17:52:05
until 7 December 2026, 10:52:32 UTC+8.

Beginning of Winter → Major Snow

Rat · 子

Fixed branch element: Water

7 December 2026, 10:52:32
until 5 January 2027, 22:09:58 UTC+8.

Major Snow → Minor Cold

Ox · 丑

Fixed branch element: Earth

5 January 2027, 22:09:58
until 4 February 2027, 09:46:18 UTC+8.

Minor Cold → Beginning of Spring

The seasonal group is associated with Water, while its final animal branch has Earth as its fixed element. These describe different levels of the same calendar.

Read the Three Meetings seasonal groups →

Festival dates during this seasonal span

These observances fall on civil dates from 7 November 2026 up to, but not including, 4 February 2027. Lunar-date festivals can shift within the season from year to year.