Chinese Festival and Holidays

Festivals in China are Numerous and Diverse

China is a very old country with a rich and storied history full of traditions known all over the world.  Among those traditions are many festivals that are celebrated annually.  Spread around the Chinese calendar, these festivals are exciting events for Chinese and others alike, and they offer an opportunity to enjoy some incredible spectacles.  Of those festivals, seven are typically considered more relevant than others and should be studied to understand Chinese culture.Chinese New Year – By far the most widely known a celebrated across the world, Chinese New Year is the most important festival of all.  It takes place in the end of January or beginning of February and is the largest of the celebrations.  It features fireworks, gift giving, fairs, and serves as a chance to look upon the past year and learn from it.

Lantern Festival – The Lantern Festival marks the end of Chinese New Year events.  It takes place on the first full moon of the New Year and features bright lanterns that are hung from buildings and taken through the streets.  Dragon dances, which many Westerners can identify, often take place on this day.

Qingming – Qingming is one of the more solemn festivals in China.  It features memorial ceremonies, the cleaning off of graves after winter, and the honoring of ancestors.  Kite flying often takes place on this day as well.

Dragon Boat Festival – The Dragon Boat Festival, while once a religious event, is now a water celebration that involves boat races and Zong Zi, a special Chinese dish.  The festival is in honor of the ancient poet Qu Yuan, who, in order to draw attention to the corrupt government of the time, drowned himself.

QiXi Festival – The Chinese equivalent to Valentine’s Day, QiXi is a time for love and romance.  While in the past it involved acts of prayer for marital bliss for girls later in life, it is now more like a Western commercial holiday.

Mid-Autumn Festival – Like the Dragon Boat Festival, this event also has boat races and great food treats.  Once a day, for lovers, the Mid-Autumn Festival is now primarily focused on sharing among families and enjoying treats.

Chongyang – The last of the great festivals, Chongyang has been honored in the past by climbing mountains or hills to escape epidemics and plagues.  While rarely done for the same reasons today, many people still travel to high spots to celebrate this festival.

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