Weifang Festivals and Events

Some festivals could be limited by time like those ones concerning with flowers, fruits, etc. so that tourists had better learn some details about activities if they want to take part in. Also, festivals in each place vary from one to another, which is quite helpful to know culture while enjoying in person. This part provides some special and popular festivals and activities that are worth to engage in and their corresponding details to refer to.

Yangkou Fishing Season Activities

Time: the 16th day of the first month of the lunar year
Location: Weifang Yangkou Fishing Port
The festival evolves from the local customs which fishermen offer sacrifices to the god of sea. During this festival, fishermen hold solemn ceremonies to pray for sea fishing boat safety and good harvest on fishing journey.

Dragon Heads-raising Day

Time: the 2nd day of the second month of the lunar year
Location: Beihai Fishing and Salt Culture Folk Museum in Weifang Binhai Economic Development Zone
The proverb, “February 2, the dragon heads up” which shows the arrival of spring, all things recovery and Jinzhe’s starting to be active, was used in ancient times in China. The word Jinzhe has the meaning of awakening of hibernated insects. The traditional Chinese farming culture said that during Jinzhe, thunderstorms will wake up the hibernated insects, which also means the weather is getting warm. And this means a year of farming activities are about to begin and farmers could resume to sow with new hope after winter.

In north China, the festival is also known as Chunlong (sping dragon) Festival. On the northern coast of Weifang, before the fishermen go on sea trips, they would proceed some ritual activities on the day of the first lunar February every year to worship the Dragon King, praying for the safe return and good harvest.

In order to protect and develop this kind of folk culture, the local people raised funds to build Beihai Fishing Culture Folk Museum and allowed people to visit freely in 2007. Therefore, the cultural festival, Dragon Heads-raising Day, came into being.

Zhigou Miaoshan Temple Fair

Time: the 3rd day of the third month of the lunar year
Location: Zhigou Miaoshan, Zhucheng city
The March Miaoshan temple fair in the town of Zhigou is a large-scale temple activity which has been handed down in Zhucheng city. On this day, people of all ages engage in the fair to worship the Buddha, burn incenses, and pray for a smoother life this year.

Weifang International Kite Festival

Weifang has the custom of kite flying in spring since ancient times. In 1984, the local government carried forward this outstanding folk cultural tradition and advocated the holding of the international kites meeting. Over 17 kite teams and beyond 100 participants engaged in the activities including individuals from America, Britain, Canada, New Zealand, etc. Since then, every year in the early April in Weifang, an international kite festival is held. The scale of the festival is bigger and bigger, and the level comes with more wonderful content.

Yangjiafu Kite Painting Art Festival

Time: April
Location: Yangjiafu, Weifang city
Yangjiafu is an important window for the opening and cultural exchange of Weifang, a bright pearl in the land of Qilu, and a beautiful card of Chinese folk custom tourism. Also, Yangjiafu, which is famous for Yangjiafu kite painting at home and abroad, is one of China’s three big wooden picture producing areas. In 2002, it was named as “the History and Culture Village” by Shandong provincial government. And it is also known as the first Chinese folk custom village. Its kite painting and New Year painting has been included in the first patch of world intangible cultural heritage in 2005.

In recent years, with the “Yangjiafu Kite Painting Art Festival” as the representative of the folk custom festival activities, its unique form and connotation, strong local color, elegant folk art, and high-quality folk service has constantly attracted tourists from Europe, the United States, Japan, South Korea and other global dozens of countries and regions.

China (Shouguang) vegetable Expo

Time: April 20th –May 20th
Location: Shouguang city
China (Shouguang) vegetable Science and Technology Exposition is the official approval of the National Ministry of Commerce annual meeting. It is the only international vegetable industry brand exposition. With the aim of serving “three agriculture ” for the purpose of promoting the construction of new socialist countryside and the development of modern culture, the exposition has successfully held 9 consecutive sessions since 2000, with more than 6,000 exhibitors of the world agricultural products producers and over 1.2 million visitors per year. It has a huge impact on domestic and foreign agriculture and related sectors.

Qingzhou Flower Expo Fair

Time: September
Location: Qingzhou city
The fair were started to be held since 2001. It offers a broad platform for farmers to harvest better and gain pleasant economic and social benefits. The fair is a good platform for those who like flowers. If you are fond of flowers and their culture, it will be a surprise for you.

Linqu Shimenfang Red Leaves Festival

Time: October
Location: Shimenfang, Linqu County
Shimenfang enjoys multitudes of mountains and rugged areas which bring exceedingly charming natural landscapes. In late autumn, the wonderful red leaves of smoke tree cover all the mountainous areas, and with other plants, representing appalling and gorgeous natural views in fall. Especially in the Double Nine Festival, thousands of tourists from home and abroad visit there to appreciate red leaves.

China (Changle) International Gem Festival

Time: October 2nd
Location: Changle County
Changle, which was ever the capital city of the State of Qi in ancient times, is known as the world's jewel capital. Changle sapphire and watermelon are famous all over the country and is world-renowned as well. China Changle International Gem Festival is a large-scale international festival which shows unique and humane spirit. Since 2002, it has successfully been held many consecutive sessions and attracted numerous participants from home and abroad. It has a deep impact on the domestic and foreign jewelry and related industries.