Festivals and Events

Chinese festivals refer to the memorial days, celebrations and international festivals recognized by China. National holidays in China, also called public holidays, are: New Year, the Spring Festival (Chinese New Year), the Qingming Festival, Labor Day, the Dragon Boat Festival, the Mid-Autumn Festival, and National Day. Besides, the traditional Chinese holidays and the ethnic minority festivals are essential parts of China Festivals. In addition, there are tourism festivals in China, western festivals in China, etc.

1. National Holidays in China

Each year, China has 7 public holidays enjoyed by all citizens. Each year’s holidays are announced about three weeks before the start of the year by the General Office of the State Council. Weekends are usually swapped with the weekdays next to the actual holiday to create a longer holiday period. 

2019 Holiday Schedule of China

 Holiday Name  2019 2020 2021
New Year Dec. 30, 2018-Jan. 1, 2019 TBA TBA
Spring Festival (Chinese New Year) Feb. 4–Feb. 10, 2019 Jan. 24–Jan. 29 Feb. 11–Feb. 17
Qingming Festival Apr. 5-Apr. 7 TBA TBA
Labor Day May 1 TBA TBA
Dragon Boat Festival June 7-June 9 TBA TBA
Mid-Autumn Festival Sep. 13-Sep. 15 TBA TBA
National Day Oct. 1–Oct. 7 Oct. 1–Oct. 7 Oct. 1–Oct. 7

Besides, there are additional holidays for specific social groups such as International Women’s Day, Youth Day, etc.

Holiday Name Date Applicable to
International Women’s Day March 8 Women (half-day)
Youth Day May 4 Youth from the age of 14 to 28 (half-day)
Children’s Day June 1 Children below the age of 14 (1 day)
Army Day August 1 Military personnel in active service (half-day)

Main Public Holidays in China

Read more about National Holidays in China.

2. Traditional Chinese Holidays

The traditional Chinese holidays are an essential part of harvests or prayer offerings. All traditional holidays are scheduled according to the Chinese calendar (except the Qing Ming and Winter Solstice days). The most important Chinese holiday is the Chinese New Year (Spring Festival), which is also celebrated in Taiwan and overseas ethnic Chinese communities. 

Holiday Name Date Remarks
Spring Festival (Chinese New Year) 1st day of 1st Lunisolar month Based on Chinese calendar. Holidays last two full weeks up to the Lantern Festival.
Lantern Festival 15th day of 1st Lunisolar month Based on Chinese calendar
April 4 Qingming Festival(Tomb Sweeping Day) Based on the Qingming solar term.
Dragon Boat Festival 5th day of 5th Lunisolar month Based on Chinese calendar
Double Seventh Day 7th day of 7th Lunisolar month The Chinese Valentine’s Day, based on Chinese calendar
Spirit Festival (Ghost Festival) 15th day of 7th Lunisolar month Based on Chinese calendar
Mid-Autumn Festival (Moon Festival) 15th day of 8th Lunisolar month Based on Chinese calendar
Chongyang Festival 9th day of 9th Lunisolar month  Based on Chinese calendar
Winter Solstice Festival(Dongzhi) December 21st, 22nd or 23rd Based on Chinese calendar
Summer Solstice Festival(Xiazhi) June 21st or 22nd Based on Chinese calendar
Laba Festival 8th day of the 12th Lunisolar month Based on Chinese calendar

Read more about Traditional Chinese Festivals.

3. Ethnic Minority Festivals in China

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. All these traditional ethnic minority festivals are regarded as indispensable components of the minorities’ customs.

Holiday Name Date Celebrated by
Double Third Festival the third day of the third lunar month in Chinese calendar Zhuang, Yao, Dong, Miao, Buyi, etc
Water-Splashing Festival April 13–15 of the Dai calendar Dai
Torch Festival 24th to 27th of the sixth lunar month Yi, Bai, Naxi, etc.
Nadam Fair July or August Mongolian
Shoton Festival 4th of August Tibetan
Lusheng Festival 27th, 28th, 29th of the ninth month in lunar calendar Miao
Sisters’ Meal Festival 15th day of the third month in the lunar calendar Miao
Knife-Pole Festival 2nd day of the second lunar month Lisu
End of Ramadan The beginning of the tenth month on the Islamic calendar Hui, Uygur, Kazak, etc.

Read more about Ethnic Minority Festivals in China.

4. Tourism Festivals in China

In recent years, there are many tourism festivals administered by regional governments, who organize tourism festivals in order to make local scenic locations better known to people. 

Holiday Name Date
Harbin Ice and Snow Festival January 5 – February 5
Luoyang Peony Fair April 15 – 25
Qingdao International Beer Festival the second weekend of August, lasts for 16 days
Qufu International Confucius Culture Festival September 26 – October 10
Huangshan Mountain International Tourist Festival November
Pingyao International Photography Festival September
Shanghai Tourism Festival September
Hainan International Tourism Island Carnival November

Read more about Tourism Festivals in China.

5. Western Festivals in China

Many Chinese especially those on the Eastern Seaboard in China who have long contact with the West and Western people are familiar with Western Festivals. No one can have failed to notice the fact that Western festivals are gaining ever-increasing popularity in China. An increasing number of Chinese are fond of celebrating Western festivals today.

Holiday Name Date
April Fool’s Day  1st April
Saint Valentine’s Day 14th February
Mother’s Day the 2nd Sunday in May
Father’s Day the 3rd Sunday in June
Halloween 31st October
Thanksgiving Day the 4th Thursday in November
Christmas Day 25th December

Read more about Western Festivals in China.

6. China Festivals by Months

 Festivals in January  Festivals in February  Festivals in March  Festivals in April
 Festivals in May   Festivals in June  Festivals in July  Festivals in August
 Festivals in September  Festivals in October  Festivals in November  Festivals in December

7. Recommended Festival Tours with Us

Chinese festivals are diverse and rich in content, which is an integral part of China’s history and culture. Join our festival tours to celebrate and experience the real Chinese culture. We have many years of experience in operating Chinese festival tours. Below are some recommended festival tours with us.

2 Days Weifang Kite Culture and Festival Tour

3 Days Harbin Winter Tour Experience with Harbin Ice Festival

3 Days Luoping Rapeseed Flowers Festival Tour from Kunming

4 Days Pingyao International Photography Festival Tour

4 Days Inner Mongolia Naadam Festival Tour with Hohhot Sightseeing

Read more about China Festival Tours.