Ethnic Minority Festivals

China is a large country with 55 ethnic minorities. There are public holidays celebrate by certain ethnic minorities in certain regions, which are decided by local governments. It is estimated that more than 1,200 of the 1,700 Chinese festivals belong to ethnic minorities. All these traditional ethnic minority festivals are regarded as indispensable components of the minorities’ customs. Ethnic festivals are always fulled with beautiful legends and featured activities to celebrate. Below are some major ethnic minority festivals celebrated in China widely. 

Popular Ethnic Festivals in China

1. Double Third Festival

Date: 3rd day of the 3rd lunar month
Place: Guangxi
Celebrated by: Zhuang, Yao, Dong, Miao, Buyi, etc
Activities: Singing, Dancing

Double Third Festival is a traditional festival of many ethnic groups in China, among which the Zhuang nationality is the typical one. In ancient times, young men and women of the Zhuang nationality gathered in the streets singing happily and gathered by the river for a banquet. During the festival people would cook  five-colored rice and colorful eggs to eat and celebrate. It is not only a traditional spring outing festival, but also an important day for the Zhuang people to worship their ancestors, Pangu and Buluotuo. People in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region have 3 days off. More about Double Third Festival.

2. Nadam Fair of the Mongolian

Date: July or August
Place: Inner Mongolia
Celebrated by: Mongolian
Activities: wrestling, horseracing, archery, etc

Naadam Festival is Olympic Games of Mongols and held in the most enjoyable and festive month of July or August. It is the only one of its kind, which is a sophisticated and eloquent expression of nomadic culture. It is also the celebration of a national independence, and an outstanding combination of arts and sports. The wrestling, horseracing and archery are the top three sports during the festival. It is not only sports game including art, tricks, tactics but also ethic and cultural performance such as singing, dancing, traditional costume, parade, etc. More about Nadam Fair of the Mongolian. 

3. Shoton Festival in Tibet

Date: the last day of the sixth month in Tibetan Calendar 
Place: Lhasa, Tibet
Celebrated by: Tibetan
Activities: Great Buddha Display, Tibetan Opera Show and Horsemanship & Yak Race Show

Shoton Festival, commonly known as the Yogurt Festival, is a great festival in Tibet, starting on the last day of the sixth month in Tibetan Calendar and lasting for a few days. It is one of the most popular traditional festivals in Tibet and an annual festival held at Norbulingka in Lhasa, Tibet. It began in the 16th century with a banquet given by the lay people for the monks featuring yogurt. The beautiful grounds of the Norbulingka are filled with partying groups shielded from the wind by gaily coloured hanging walls of rugs and printed canvas. More about Shoton Festival in Tibet.

4. Water Splashing Festival

Date: April 13–15
Place: Xishuangbanna, Yunnan
Celebrated by: Dai
Activities: splashing water

The Water Splashing Festival (Water Spray Festival) is the grandest traditional festival of Dai nationality. During three days in the mid April every year, people splash water to each other to express best regards during the water splashing festival, which is also the New Year for the Dai ethnic group. The person who got sprayed the most water and hared most will be the luckiest. In the evening, they will hold a grand entertainment party and sing, dance, set off fireworks and guess lantern riddles continuously till mid-night. More about Water Splashing Festival.

5. Torch Festival

Date: from 24th to 27th of the sixth lunar month
Place: Guizhou, Yunnan, Sichuan
Celebrated by: Yi, Bai, Naxi, etc.
Activities: lighting up a bonfire, singing and dancing

The Torch Festival is a traditional festival celebrated by Yi ethnic group in Southwest China. It falls on the 24th or 25th day of the sixth month in Chinese calendar and last for three days. The people would light up a bonfire in front of their house and celebrate it by holding wrestling matches, horse racing, dance shows. The purpose of lighting fires is used to drive away  disease and bad energy and celebrate for a good coming harvest. It is recognized as the grandest traditional festival of the Yi ethnic minority. More about Torch Festival.

6. Lusheng Festival

Date: the first month or the ninth month in lunar calendar
Place: Guizhou
Celebrated by: Miao, Dong
Activities: singing, bullfighting, horse racing, dancing to the rhythm of the Lusheng

A lusheng is a reed instrument made of bamboo. The Lusheng Festival is the most influential festival of the Miao community. It features a lot of Miao ethnic activities, such as singing, bullfighting, horse racing, and dancing to the rhythm of the Lusheng. The Lusheng Festival in Kaili, Guizhou is the most famous and grand of the bunch. Gulong Lusheng Festival in Huangping county is held from the 27th day to the 29th day of the ninth lunar month. Playing the Lusheng music and performing the Lusheng dance are an important part of many Miao festivals. More about Lusheng Festival.

Recommended Tour:
6 Days Autumn Lusheng Festival Tour in Guizhou

7. Sisters’ Meal Festival

Date: the 15th of third lunar month
Place: Guizhou
Celebrated by: Miao
Activities: colored rice, beautiful ethnic costumes, singing and dancing

The Sisters’ Meal Festival is an important festival of the Miao minority in China. Known as the ancient Chinese Valentines’ Day, it’s a celebration of love and spring, and the celebrations usually last for 3 days. There are different colored rice, beautiful ethnic costumes, and singing and dancing between single men and women. It offers opportunities for young people to find their marriage partners. There are also many other activities especially for the elders who already have a partner, including bullfighting, horseracing, drum dancing, rowing, and Lusheng music. More about Sisters’ Meal Festival.

Recommended Tours:
5 Days Guizhou Miao Sisters’ Meal Festival Tour
13 Days Hunan and Guizhou Tour

Categories of Ethnic Minority Festivals

• Art Festivals
• Bath Festivals
• Costumes Festivals
• Drink Festivals
• Exhibition and Expostion
• Festivals of Chinese Lunar Calendar
• Flowers Festivals
• Food Festival
• Fruit Festivals
• Harvest Festivals
• Mushroom Festivals
• Music Festivals
• Religious Festivals
• Song and Dance Festivals
• Sport Events
• Temple Fair
• Tourism Festivals
• Trade Fairs

Ethnic Minority Festivals by Minority