Chinese festivals are for commemorating ancestors/figures, celebrating agriculture, praying for health, strengthening family/social bonds, and carrying forward culture.

Spring Festival

It is the most important traditional festival in China, usually falling in late January or early February according to the lunar calendar. Families get together to celebrate, with customs like posting spring couplets, displaying lanterns, having the New Year’s Eve dinner, and exchanging New Year’s greetings.

Lantern Festival

Celebrated on the 15th day of the first lunar month, it marks the end of the Spring Festival. People enjoy lantern shows, guess lantern riddles, and eat tangyuan, a kind of glutinous rice ball.

Qingming Festival

Occurring around April 4th to 6th, it’s a time for commemorating ancestors and sweeping tombs. People also go on spring outings and fly kites during this festival.

Dragon Boat Festival

Celebrated on the 5th day of the 5th lunar month, it’s in memory of the patriotic poet Qu Yuan. People hold dragon boat races and eat zongzi, a pyramid-shaped dumpling made of glutinous rice wrapped in bamboo leaves.

Mid-Autumn Festival

Falling on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, it’s a time for family reunions. People admire the full moon, eat mooncakes, and enjoy various fruits.

Double Ninth Festival

Observed on the 9th day of the 9th lunar month, it’s a day to respect the elderly. People often climb mountains, admire chrysanthemums, and drink chrysanthemum wine.

Apart from these, there are also some other festivals like the Minor New Year, the Qixi Festival and so on. Each festival has its unique cultural connotations and traditions, reflecting the rich history and culture of China.

Next, we will gradually unfold the stories and customs behind each festival through a series of articles.