Festivals & Events in China
Experience the Heartbeat of Chinese Culture
To witness a festival in China is to see the country’s soul at its most vibrant, colorful, and joyful. These events are the living heartbeat of Chinese culture, a time when ancient legends, family traditions, and communal celebrations spill into the streets. Planning your trip around one of these festivals offers an incredibly immersive experience, allowing you to participate in traditions that have been passed down for centuries.
From the explosive energy of Chinese New Year to the serene beauty of the Mid-Autumn Festival, these events provide a unique window into the values and stories that shape Chinese life. Browse our guide to China’s most spectacular festivals and discover how you can make your journey even more unforgettable.
Chinese New Year
Spring Festival – 春节 Chūnjié
The most important festival in China! It’s a time for family reunions, feasting, and wishing for good fortune in the year ahead. The celebration officially lasts for 15 days, culminating in the Lantern Festival. The country is painted red, the color of luck and happiness.
What to See and Do:
- Watch mesmerizing dragon and lion dances in public squares
- Visit lively temple fairs (庙会 – miàohuì) in cities like Beijing, filled with snacks, crafts, and folk performances
- Enjoy the spectacle of fireworks and firecrackers (in cities where they are permitted)
- Join a family to make and eat dumplings (饺子 – jiǎozi), which are shaped like ancient Chinese money and symbolize wealth
Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival
哈尔滨国际冰雪节
Not a traditional festival, but arguably the most spectacular winter event in the world. The entire city of Harbin in China’s frigid northeast transforms into a frozen fantasyland, with colossal buildings, massive sculptures, and entire castles carved from ice and snow.
What to See and Do:
- Be awestruck by the giant, life-sized ice buildings in Ice and Snow World, brilliantly illuminated at night
- Admire the gigantic and intricate snow sculptures at the Sun Island Scenic Area
- Wander through Zhaolin Park to see the magical ice lanterns
- Embrace the cold with activities like ice skating, ice slides, and even swimming in the frozen Songhua River!
Lantern Festival
元宵节 Yuánxiāo Jié
A beautiful and enchanting festival that celebrates the first full moon of the new year. Parks, temples, and public spaces are decorated with countless intricate and beautiful lanterns of all shapes and sizes.
What to See and Do:
- Stroll through parks and public areas to admire the stunning lantern displays
- Solve lantern riddles, a fun tradition where riddles are written on notes attached to the lanterns
- Eat sweet, glutinous rice balls called tangyuan (汤圆), which symbolize family togetherness
- Watch folk performances and see smaller, local dragon dances
Dragon Boat Festival
端午节 Duānwǔ Jié
A lively summer festival full of energy and tradition. It commemorates the ancient poet Qu Yuan, who, according to legend, drowned himself in a river. Local people raced out in boats to save him and threw rice into the water to distract the fish from his body.
What to See and Do:
- Watch thrilling dragon boat races with teams paddling to the beat of drums
- Eat zongzi (粽子), delicious parcels of glutinous rice wrapped in bamboo leaves
Mid-Autumn Festival
中秋节 Zhōngqiū Jié
The second most important traditional festival after Chinese New Year. It’s a harvest festival centered around the full moon and family reunion. It’s often compared to Thanksgiving in its spirit of gratitude and togetherness.
What to See and Do:
- Gather with family and friends for a reunion dinner
- Eat mooncakes (月饼 – yuèbǐng), dense pastries with sweet fillings
- Admire the full moon from a beautiful spot, like a park or by a lake
- Light and carry lanterns, creating a magical evening atmosphere
