17 Lunar New Year Nail Ideas to Wear in 2024

Close-up of manicure with red and gold glitter French tips and black dragon nail design — @glosshouse / Instagram

It's almost time for Lunar New Year, when East Asian cultures worldwide ring in the arrival of spring. “Lunar New Year is the beginning of a new year based on the lunar calendar,” says nail artist Narina Chan. “Since the lunar calendar follows the lunar phase, the exact date of lunar new year varies every year.” This year, the Lunar New Year, also known as the Chinese New Year or Spring Festival, begins on February 10, with festivities continuing through the 24. “The event is celebrated by numerous cultures in various ways,” Chan says. “But pretty much the same as new year in the US, families and friends gather together to eat and celebrate. Traditional Lunar New Year foods include longevity noodles, a whole steamed fish for abundance, sticky rice balls for togetherness, and more.” If you're looking for some mani inspo to look your best as you celebrate the year of the dragon, you've come to the right place. Ahead, you’ll find 17 Lunar New Year nail ideas perfect for this year's festivities (or whenever you’re looking to lean into the themes of the festival).

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3D Festivities

Red, gold, and white 3D Lunar New Year Nails with rabbit and lantern details — @naominailsnyc / Instagram

“I love red and gold and Chinese calligraphy nail designs to celebrate [Lunar New Year],” says nail artist Naomi Yasuda, who is Japanese but has experience creating decorative Lunar New Year nails for her clients. Each year, she gets requests to incorporate the year’s zodiac sign into her festive manicures. “This year is the year of the dragon,” she says, noting that she’s been doing dragon nail art for her clients.

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Red Velvet Nails

Red manicure with velvet texture — @brushedbyb_ / Instagram

The trick to creating a Lunar New Year nail look is to incorporate the right colors—from there, you can play into your favorite trends and aesthetics, like velvet nails. “[You] definitely [want] red and gold, which symbolizes luck, prosperity, and wealth,” Chan says. The red here—Cirque Colors' Lucky Jelly ($13)—is inspired by Chinese culture and buildable to your desired look.

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Abstract Gold Foil Mani

Close-up of short nails with neutral base and abstract gold foil designs — @madnails / Instagram

If you prefer minimalist manicures, check out this abstract gold foil nail look. You can DIY a similar look using clear polish and gold nail foil, like the WFAUIBR Gold Leaf Flakes ($6) available on Amazon.

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Bejeweled Lunar New Year Nails

Red nails with gold jewels - Byrdie Lunar New Year Nails — @narinanails / Instagram

“If you want to really stand out, you can buy these small gold hardware to put on top of a red color base,” Chan says. “You can use nail glue to adhere the hardware, and it will give you a super over-the-top look for the new year.” Love the idea? Amazon has a bunch of gold nail gem sets, like the Blulu 120 Pieces Multi Shapes Gold Gems Crystals ($12).

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Glossy Red Supermodel Nails

Hands with cherry red polish and cuticle half-moon negative space - Byrdie Lunar New Year Nail Ideas — @madnails / Instagram

A glossy red manicure is an on-trend and versatile option for Lunar New Year. If you don't have the patience to trace on picture-perfect arches, make it easy on yourself with the Chillhouse '90s Supermodel Chill Tips ($15). For extra Chinese New Year flair, try layering them with Deco Miami's Jackpot Nail Stickers ($10), which feature dragon decals.

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Glitter Dragon Nails

Gold glitter nails with black, gray, red, and white dragon nail art - Byrdie Lunar New Year Nail Ideas — @naominailsnyc / Instagram

Yasuda created this intricate dragon nail art, which features all the elements of Lunar Year. Here, a glittery gold background sets the stage for a black-and-white dragon with red accents. To recreate such a detailed manicure, you'll definitely want to enlist the help of a pro.

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Gold Confetti Lunar New Year Nails

Half-and-half red and neutral nails with gold dot design - Byrdie Lunar New Year Nail Ideas — @narinanails / Instagram

We love the simplicity of this confetti-dotted, half-and-half Lunar New Year look. “Start with a nude base, then use red polish on one side of the nails,” Chan says. Follow up with top coat and, before it dries, layer a few gold sequins on top, like HTVRONT's Holographic Chunky Glitter ($7). For best results, Chan says to apply your top coat one finger at a time so you have time to place the sequins and cover them with another clear layer to seal the look.

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Red and White Dragon Nails

Manicure with white base and red dragon design - Byrdie Lunar New Year Nail Ideas — @bhambnails / Instagram

“Lunar New Year is a time for families and friends to get together to eat amazing food with one another, share gifts, and witness the tradition of the dragon and lion dances,” says Nailing Hollywood nail artist Morgan Dixon. Hoping to lean into that theme? Milky white nails have been a popular pick for a few years now. To elevate them for the Chinese New Year, consider adding red dragon designs on top. If you're looking to DIY, the QDSUH Dragon Nail Stickers ($7) are worth checking out.

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Matte Red Nails

“This is a very simple look that you can also achieve at home,” Chan says. “Paint a red base, wait for it to dry, use a gold metallic polish [to] draw a small smile line at the cuticle area, then put a matte top coat over everything for a super simple and chic look for the new year.” If you have trouble creating crisp arched lines, use the Orly Half Moon Guides ($6) for a flawless application.

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Red and White Ombre Stiletto Nails

For an edgier Lunar New Year nail look, consider this ombré stiletto manicure. To create the shape at home, try the Aprés Gel-X Natural Stiletto Long Nails ($30) and top them off with a red and white fade, which you can achieve using a sponge.

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Red French Mani

Red manicure with four French tips and one solid red nail - Byrdie Lunar New Year Nail Ideas — @heluviee / Instagram

There's always the option to update your go-to French mani with Lunar New Year-inspired shades. Here, you can see how a bright red French tip could look quite festive, despite being simple to achieve.

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Matte Red Swirl Nails

To emulate the ribbon dance, consider a matte red French mani with subtle ribbon-inspired swirls. Remember: You can turn any glossy polish into a matte with a matte top coat, like the OPI Matte Top Coat ($12).

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Gold Glitter Nails

Manicure with gold shimmery cracked polish and almond shape — @melanated.mani / Instagram

You can skip nail art altogether, too. This mani features Cracked Polish in Rockin' Roadster Wheels ($13), which is full of gold flecks and shimmer for an instantly festive look.

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Minimalist Year of the Dragon Nails

Minimalist red and gold French manicure with black dragon design - Byrdie Lunar New Year Nail Ideas — @glosshouse / Instagram

Here's another minimalist Lunar New Year nail look we adore. To recreate it, all you need is the Le Mini Macaron Dragon Queen Gel Trio & Stickers Bundle ($38).

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Mint Green Dragon Nails

Mint green manicure with dragon designs - Byrdie Lunar New Year Nail Ideas — @nailsbymei / Instagram

“The Lunar New Year festival typically lasts for 15 days, with each day marked by various customs and traditions, such as displaying red decorations, giving red envelopes containing money, and the lighting of firecrackers to ward off evil spirits,” Dixon says. With the envelopes (and their contents) in mind, you could also opt to use money-inspired polish colors for your festive manicure, as with this cash-influenced dragon nail art.

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Simple Cherry

Close-up of red manicured hand with gold rings holding tan leather blazer lapel — @lolo.nailedit / Instagram

If you love the cherry red beauty trend, lean into it for Lunar New Year by opting for a glossy, simple manicure in the shade. Paired with gold rings, you have both of the holiday's traditional colors with minimal effort.

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Subtle Gold Shimmer Nails

Manicure with neutral base and subtle gold shimmer polish - Byrdie Lunar New Year Nail Ideas — @paintboxnails / Instagram

Last but not least, we have a simple gold, art deco-inspired nail look that works well for Lunar New Year and beyond. This one is particularly easy to recreate: All you need to do is glue on the Paintbox Turning Point Press Ons ($28).

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