There’s nothing more exciting than a festival in China! Bright lanterns, delicious snacks, lively music, and traditions that go back centuries make every celebration a proper party. From the colourful parades of Chinese New Year to the exciting Dragon Boat races, these festivals are the perfect way to experience China’s culture up close, and have an unforgettable time doing it.

Many traditional festivals follow the Chinese lunar calendar, meaning their dates shift every year. If you’re planning a trip, understanding when and where these festivals occur can help you experience China at its most authentic and colourful.

In this guide, you’ll discover China’s top festivals month-by-month, including how to join the celebrations, the best cities to visit, and travel tips to make your cultural adventure smooth and unforgettable.

Unlike Western holidays tied to the Gregorian calendar, most Chinese traditional festivals follow the lunar calendar. This system bases months on moon phases, so celebrations like Chinese New Year, Lantern Festival, and Mid-Autumn Festival fall on different Gregorian dates each year.

That’s why festival planning in China requires checking the lunar dates in advance. Beyond timing, these festivals are steeped in mythology, family traditions, and regional rituals — from honouring ancient poets to celebrating celestial love stories.

While some holidays like National Day are fixed and celebrated nationwide, others — like Qingming or Qixi — have regional customs that vary across provinces. Knowing the difference helps you tailor your trip to match the festival experience you're after.

China’s biggest and most iconic festival marks the lunar new year with family reunions, red envelopes, fireworks, and dragon dances. Streets are decked in red, temple fairs come alive, and entire cities slow down for this cultural reset.

Chinese New Year in 2025 falls on 29 January, making it the perfect time to witness vibrant celebrations across China, from temple fairs in Beijing and stunning lantern displays in Xi’an to colourful flower markets in Guangzhou. As it’s the busiest travel season in the country, be sure to book your flights and hotels well in advance to avoid inflated prices and limited availability.

Held on the 15th day after Chinese New Year, this glowing event marks the end of the Spring Festival. Expect lantern displays, riddle games, and sweet tangyuan (glutinous rice balls).

The Lantern Festival in 2025 takes place on 12 February, lighting up cities like Pingxi in Taiwan with sky lantern releases, Nanjing with elaborate lantern fairs, and Xi’an with spectacular displays along the ancient City Wall.

For the best experience, visit parks or historic sites in the evening when the atmosphere is truly magical, offering a safe and family-friendly way to enjoy this luminous celebration.

Also known as “Tomb-Sweeping Day”, this solemn springtime festival sees families visiting ancestral gravesites to honour the departed. It’s also a time for spring outings, kite flying, and flower-filled park walks.

Qingming Festival in 2025 falls on 4 April, offering an ideal opportunity for spring travel to scenic cities like Hangzhou with its tranquil West Lake, Guilin’s karst landscapes, and Suzhou’s classical gardens. With mild weather and moderate crowds, this period is perfect for leisurely sightseeing and connecting with nature.

Honouring the poet Qu Yuan, this festival features zongzi (rice dumplings) and exhilarating dragon boat races on rivers and lakes across the country.

The Dragon Boat Festival in 2025 takes place on 31 May, bringing vibrant celebrations to cities like Hong Kong, Suzhou, and Hangzhou. Expect thrilling dragon boat races, lively food fairs, and the scent of traditional herb sachets filling the air

A romantic festival inspired by the legend of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl — star-crossed lovers who meet once a year. Today, it’s celebrated with romantic dinners, lanterns, and shopping promos.

Chinese Valentine’s Day, or Qixi Festival, falls on 4 August in 2025 — a romantic occasion best enjoyed in cities like Shanghai, Beijing, and Chengdu. It’s a lovely time for couples’ getaways, spa retreats, or scenic rooftop dining under the summer sky, making it a perfect excuse to slow down and celebrate love in style.

This moonlit celebration is all about family reunions, mooncakes, and lantern-lit strolls. It's a gentle, poetic festival filled with storytelling and sky gazing.

The Mid-Autumn Festival in 2025 will be celebrated on 6 October, lighting up cities like Xi’an, Hangzhou, and Hong Kong with lanterns, moon gazing, and festive cheer. It’s the perfect time to indulge in regional mooncake variations — from creamy custard fillings to classic lotus seed paste and rich salted egg yolks — each bite a taste of tradition.

From 1–8 October, China takes a nationwide break to mark its founding. Expect parades, patriotic displays, light shows, and mass travel. Combine it with the Mid-Autumn Festival for an extended cultural journey.

This is peak domestic tourism week. Book transport, tickets, and hotels well ahead of time.

This lesser-known winter celebration is marked by family dinners, hot dumplings, and sweet tangyuan. It symbolises the return of longer days and renewed energy.

The Dongzhi Festival in 2025 falls on 21 December, marking the arrival of winter and a season of comfort food and cosy traditions. Beijing is ideal for savouring warming dishes like dumplings and hotpot, while Yunnan offers a milder climate for those seeking gentler winter weather. It’s a wonderful time to embrace local culture and enjoy a slower, more intimate side of China.

China’s capital is unmatched when it comes to festival grandeur steeped in tradition. During Chinese New Year, the city comes alive with elaborate temple fairs, especially at places like Ditan Park and the Temple of Earth, where lion dances, folk opera, and calligraphy stalls create a festive carnival-like atmosphere.

During National Day in October, Tiananmen Square transforms into a patriotic showcase with enormous floral displays and flag-raising ceremonies that draw massive crowds. From Lantern Festival lanterns adorning historic parks to Qingming spring outings in imperial gardens, Beijing delivers a deeply cultural, historically immersive festival experience.

Shanghai offers a modern twist on traditional festivals, making it perfect for those who enjoy city lights and skyline spectacles alongside cultural festivities. During the Lantern Festival, the iconic Yu Garden transforms into a glowing wonderland of intricate lantern displays, dragon motifs, and photo-worthy installations.

Mid-Autumn Festival here is equally dazzling, with lanterns lining The Bund and mooncakes served in every flavour imaginable. Even during National Day, the city celebrates with light shows along the Huangpu River and festive events in Nanjing Road and People’s Square — blending old customs with contemporary flair.

For a magical winter celebration, few places top Harbin in northeastern China. While Dongzhi (Winter Solstice) is celebrated quietly with warm dumplings and family meals, it coincides with the start of the city’s world-renowned Harbin Ice & Snow Festival, where illuminated ice castles, towering sculptures, and frozen slides create a surreal, fairy-tale-like environment.

Temperatures can drop well below freezing, but the atmosphere is electric — especially when paired with grilled street skewers and steaming hotpot. Harbin turns the coldest season into an unforgettable cultural spectacle perfect for adventurous winter travellers.

Chengdu is a spicy, soulful destination for festival lovers seeking a vibrant mix of tradition, food, and fun. The city excels during Dragon Boat Festival, when locals gather at scenic riversides like Jin River to watch colourful boat races and snack on savoury zongzi. For couples, Qixi Festival is celebrated with romantic lantern releases and date-night dinners around Wide and Narrow Alleys.

Even outside these special dates, Chengdu’s year-round festival vibe is powered by its teahouse culture, open-air opera, and incredible street food — all adding up to a laid-back but culturally rich experience.

Hong Kong blends traditional Chinese celebrations with international spectacle, making it an unbeatable destination for festive travellers. During Chinese New Year, you’ll find parades with lion dancers, illuminated floats, and one of the region’s most iconic fireworks shows over Victoria Harbour.

Mid-Autumn Festival here is especially charming, thanks to massive lantern carnivals in Victoria Park and the captivating Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance, a 100-year-old tradition with a straw dragon lit by incense. From National Day pyrotechnics to Qixi and Ghost Festival rituals, Hong Kong offers a dynamic calendar of celebrations rooted in heritage and elevated by its cosmopolitan energy.

Experiencing Chinese festivals is one of the most unforgettable ways to connect with the country’s spirit, heritage, and people. From watching lanterns float into the night sky to cheering on dragon boat racers, these moments will stay with you long after the trip ends.

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