17 Lunar New Year Nail Ideas to Welcome the Year of the Dragon (2024)

3D Festivities

“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.

Red Velvet Nails

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.

Abstract Gold Foil Mani

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.

Bejeweled Lunar New Year Nails

“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).

Glossy Red Supermodel Nails

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.

Glitter Dragon Nails

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.

Gold Confetti Lunar New Year Nails

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.

Red and White Dragon Nails

“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.

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.

More Beauty

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.

Red French Mani

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.

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).

Gold Glitter Nails

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.

Minimalist Year of the Dragon Nails

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).

Mint Green Dragon Nails

“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.

Simple Cherry

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.

Subtle Gold Shimmer Nails

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).