Chinese festivals 2010 / 2011
Last updated: 1st June 2010.
Spring Festival (Chinese New Year of the Tiger)
13th-19th Feb 2010 / 2nd - 8th Feb 2011
Chinese New Year’s Eve 13th Feb, Chinese New Year’s Day 14th Feb.
In China, the spring festival begins on the first day of the lunar calendar and the celebrations often last for several weeks. The festival is regarded as the most important of the year and the Chinese people invest huge amounts of time into preparations for the grand tradition. Consequently the festival is an enormous event and is truly magnificent to behold.
Festivities centre on family members coming together for a reunion feast. Every family member, regardless of location in China or throughout the world, will try their hardest to return home and join in the celebrations. In the evening family members chat, burn incense and pay respect to their ancestors. Special television programs are broadcast to mark the occasion and families gather around their TV sets.
In the streets fireworks are set and continuously light up the evening sky, reaching a pinnacle as midnight arrives. Throughout major cities, activities take place; lion dancing, lantern festivals, dragon lantern festivals and temple fairs occur for several days. The spring festival eventually comes to an end when the lantern festival celebrations are completed.
Practically speaking, travel throughout China, over the spring festival can be tight, with large crowds of Chinese people moving around the country. Trains and hotels will often be fully booked, and rates increase for the duration of the holiday. Tourist related industries usually remain open during the celebrations and will welcome guests warmly.
Travel at this time can be rewarding if you come well prepared. Having been granted a week’s holiday, the Chinese people are even more open and friendly during the celebrations; opportunities to interact with the local people will come thick and fast.
Chinese Lantern Festival
28th Feb 2010 / 17th Feb 2011
The Chinese Lantern Festival originates from the Eastern Han dynasty, in the period AD 25 – AD 220. The festival is held each year on the 15th day of the first lunar month and marks the final day of a two week long celebration for Chinese New Year, (The Spring Festival). The festivities coincide with the first full moon of the year.
During the festival, people throughout China, decorate the streets and their homes with lanterns and brightly coloured ribbons. Traditional Chinese red lanterns can be seen in their droves, but lanterns can, and do, come in all shapes and sizes. The lanterns commonly represent traditions, popular stories and animals from the Chinese zodiac. A popular activity amongst local people is to wander the streets, trying to solve the riddles that are traditionally attached to the lanterns. The lantern festival is considered by some people, throughout China, to be an equivalent of St Valentine’s Day. Young couples may be allowed out to celebrate the evening without the usual constraints of a curfew.
The traditional food for the festival is a dumpling made with rice flour known as Yuan Xiao, (or tang yuan). The dumpling is said to symbolise family unity and can be made to suit any particular taste; sweet or savoury. Popular fillings include sugar, sesame seeds, red bean paste, walnut kernels and jujube powder.
Qingming Festival
5th April 2010 / 5th April 2011
Qingming is a festival of contrasts; throughout china it is a traditional day for mourning the dead and to celebrate the arrival of spring. Families leave their homes to sweep the graves of the departed and to clean family tombs.
To celebrate the coming of spring, families may take to the countryside for long walks amongst the newly blossomed trees. Flying kites is a folk tradition on Qingming and is believed to ward off illness and misfortune.
Fire and smoke are not permitted during Qingming and people are only allowed to eat cold food for the entire day. This tradition came about when Qingming was amalgamated with another Chinese festival known as Hanshi or Cold Food Day.
Dragon Boat Festival
16th Jun 2010 / 6th Jun 2011
There are many stories regarding the origin of the Chinese Dragon Boat festival, but the most widely accepted is that of the poet Qu Yuan. Qu Yuan served the Zhou Emperor and was much loved by the common people for his attempts to rid the court of corruption. Qu Yuan was outspoken, urging the Emperor to avoid conflict with the mighty Qin Kingdom, in so doing he set himself against the other members of the court. Coerced by the other officials the Emperor decided to send Qu Yuan into exile and removed him from service. He is then believed to have travelled for many years writing poetry about his despair at the corruption that afflicted the state. Upon hearing of the fall of Zhou to Qin, Qu Yuan threw himself into the Milou River where he drowned. Local fishermen are said to have rushed out in their longboats. They beat violently upon their drums to scare away the fish and threw food into the water to prevent them from eating Qu Yuan’s body. To this day, throughout China, people celebrate by holding spectacular dragon boat races and eating the traditional food, Zong Zi.
The celebration also marks the occasion when Chinese families try to protect themselves from evil spirits. Fragrant herbs are hung on doors and around the necks of small children. Adults drink a local rice wine known as Hsiung Huang thereby warding off illness and disease.
Double Seventh Festival
16th Aug 2010 / 6th Aug 2011
The Double Seventh Festival is considered, by some Chinese people, to be an equivalent of St Valentine’s Day in China. The festival is held in mid-summer when the weather has warmed, and is the most romantic of Chinese traditions.
The traditional story has been passed from generation to generation. It tells tale of the Cowherd and the Weaver Maid and is a beautiful story of how they came to fall in love, only to be forced into separation. The festivities mark the occasion, once per year, where the couple are able to come together, this is said to happen on the 7th day of the 7th lunar month.
In modern China, ancient traditions of the festival are rarely observed. The exceptions to this rule are few and far between, located in very rural areas of the country. Youths in cities and larger towns sometimes regard the festival as a St Valentine’s Day and choose to send flowers, and other tokens of affection to loved ones.
Hungry Ghost Festival
24th Aug 2010 / 14th Aug 2011
The Ghost Festival is a traditional Chinese holiday and is celebrated throughout the country each year, it occurs on the fifteenth day of the seventh lunar month. The entire seventh month is known throughout China as the Ghost Month, with the Ghost Festival being the height of festivities. It is believed, that during the Ghost Month, the gates of heaven and hell are unlocked and each evening the spirits are free to walk the earth.
Common sights during the Ghost Festival include traditional offerings of food, and the burning of incense and ghost money. It is believed that this will please visiting spirits and ensure good fortune and luck throughout the year. Paper boats and water lanterns can frequently be seen afloat on lakes and rivers during the festival and are said to guide lost ghosts back into the realms of the dead.
Mid-Autumn Festival
22nd Sep 2010 / 12th Sep 2011
The Mid-Autumn Festival falls upon the 15th Day of the eighth lunar month when the moon is at its roundest and brightest, known as the Harvest Moon. During the Mid-Autumn Festival, families will come together for a celebration of thanksgiving. This is considered to be a time of abundance following a successful harvest, and families can look forward to a short period of well deserved rest. In Hong Kong and Malaysia the festival is known as the Lantern Festival, not to be confused with the aforementioned Chinese Lantern Festival which marks the end of Chinese New Year celebrations.
During the Mid-Autumn Festival people eat special sweet cakes known locally as ‘Moon Cakes’. The cakes are very filling and are meant for sharing, they come with a variety of fillings which may include, amongst other things, ground lotus paste, egg-yolk and sesame seed paste. Local shops will be decked out with Chinese paper lanterns for sale. On this night families will allow their children the great joy of staying up well after midnight. Parents will accompany their children up to high vantage points to light their lanterns and stare at the moon. Large open spaces such as public parks are resplendent with hundreds of paper lanterns shining out in all shapes and sizes and young couples holding hands in the moonlight.
Double Ninth Festival
16th Oct 2010 / 5th Oct 2011
The double ninth festival falls on the 9th Day of the 9th lunar month, in China it is known as Chong Yang Jie. According to the ancient Chinese philosophy of yin (feminine) and yang (masculine), the number nine is a yang number. The 9th Day of the 9th month is considered to have too much yang and this carries certain negative connotations. To protect against bad luck and ensure longevity, families follow traditional customs; climbing high mountains, drinking chrysanthemum wine, eating Chong Yang cakes and wearing a fragrant zhuyi or dogwood plant.
Because the Double Ninth Festival takes place in autumn, a great number of people take the opportunity to get outside and enjoy the wonderful, bright weather. Local Chinese people will take to the hills, going hiking and mountain climbing. The very brave may venture out to climb Mount Huashan near Xi’an for a truly memorable experience of the Double Ninth Festival.
Winter Solstice Festival
12th Dec 2010 / 1st Dec 2011
The Winter Solstice Festival was founded during the ancient Han Dynasty and today is regarded as one of the most important festivals in China. The winter solstice takes place in mid-winter, the shortest day, and hence longest night of the year. The Chinese people believe that, as the days following Winter Solstice will become longer, the positive influences in their lives will simultaneously gain strength.
The Winter Solstice Festival is a time for giving gifts, rejoicing and celebrating with family. People dress up in new clothes and hold family parties that endure late into the night. The traditional food for Chinese Winter Solstice Festival varies by region. In Northern China people will eat dumpling soup with wantons, whilst in the South people enjoy solstice rice balls and long noodles.
International New Year’s Eve
31st Dec 2010 / 31st Dec 2011
International New Year is not a traditional holiday in China. However, this year the public holiday allows for a lovely long weekend.
China Festivals 2011
| International New Year | 1st – 3rd Jan 2011 |
| Spring Festival (Year of the Rabbit) | 2nd – 8th Feb 2011 |
| Chinese Lantern Festival | 17th Feb 2011 |
| Qingming Festival | 5th Apr 2011 |
| Dragon Boat Festival | 6th Jun 2011 |
| Double Seventh Festival | 6th Aug 2011 |
| Hungry Ghost Festival | 14th Aug 2011 |
| Mid–Autumn Festival | 12th Sep 2011 |
| Double Ninth Festival | 5th Oct 2011 |
| Winter Solstice Festival | 1st Dec 2011 |
Chinese regional festivals
The Bun Festival, Cheung Chau, China.
12th May 2010 / 10th May 2011
A unique festival indeed! 30 minutes from Hong Kong lays the small island of Cheung Chau, once called home by some of the most notorious pirates in the south China Sea. For three days prior to the procession, the entire island will turn vegetarian, not even McDonalds will be seen to sell meat, converting their menu to sell veggie-burgers instead. On the final day of the festival there is an extravagant procession featuring lion dancers, dragon costumes and floating costumed children. Yes that’s right, floating costumed children. They are carefully mounted on seats and raised up with hidden poles, concealed beneath their costumes. The climax of the festival occurs at midnight when people gather at Pak Tai Temple. There they are greeted by three huge towers, no less than 15 metres tall and covered in 20,000 steamed buns. They come stuffed with lotus, sesame or red bean paste! Each bun is a small part of a grand offering to the gods and is said to bring good fortune and the power to cure all ills. When the gods have eaten their fill of the buns the islanders are allowed to climb the towers, the most athletic scrabbling for the luckiest buns at the peak of the towers and distributing the rest to the frenzied crowds.
A-Ma Festival, Macau.
6th May 2010 / 25th Apr 2011
Macau is said to derive its name from the goddess A-Ma, the Goddess of Seafarers. The ancient tale tells of a boat stranded at sea in a storm, the goddess A-ma demanded that the elements ease and the ship eventually made it to shore. It is on this spot that the A-ma temple was built and each year seafarers and their families gather here to ask for safety whilst at sea.
The Procession of Our Lady of Fatima, Macau.
13th May 2010 / 13th May 2011
The Procession of Our Lady of Fatima is a Catholic tradition that has been held in the region since Macau was a Portuguese colony. The procession dates back to 1917 when it is said that the Virgin Mary appeared to three young children in a small village called Fatima in Portugal. The solemn procession starts at the Santa Domingos Church where it winds through to streets until reaching the Penha Chapel. On arrival at the chapel a large open air mass is held for believers and respectful onlookers.
Hong Kong Shopping Festival, Hong Kong.
1st Jul – 31st Aug each year
The Hong Kong shopping festival is any fasionista’s dream. Big name designers’ offer discounts of up to 80% off their clothing ranges, it is truly a shopping extravaganza. In the Hong Kong markets professional hawkers can be found selling everything from cheap t-shirts through to silk collectibles and curios.
International Film Festival, Shanghai, China.
12th – 20th Jun 2010 / 2011 TBA
The Shanghai International film festival has been held since 1993 making it young in comparison to the likes of Cannes and Berlin Film Festivals. Each year in the month of June, the festival host drawers open the curtains, providing a sensory feast for the critics and cinema-lovers to gorge themselves upon.
Hong Kong Food Expo, Hong Kong.
12 – 16th Aug 2010 / 2011 TBA
Each year Hong Kong lives up to its reputation as the culinary capital of Asia. The five day annual food expo is a meeting of cooking styles and food varieties from all over the world and is bursting with gourmet delights. Visitors can expect to receive cooking tips from professional chefs, view live demonstration, and sample foods from any number of regions throughout the world. Definitely something to dazzle the taste buds. In 2010 this event will be taking place in the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Hong Kong International Arts Carnival, Hong Kong.
9th Jul – 15th Aug 2010 / 2011 TBA
The Hong Kong International Arts Carnival features a series of productions, aimed at entertaining children and family groups. Each year performers gather from across the world to lay on highly entertaining acts and pay homage to great artists. Many styles of performance and workshop are present at the festival including dance, drama, music, clowning, mime, puppetry, acrobatics and martial arts.
Macau International Fireworks Display Contest, Macau.
11, 18, 22, 25 Sep and 1 Oct 2010
Over 100 international teams meet in Macau for the International Fireworks Display Contest. For 5 nights the skies over Macau are lit up by some of the most amazing fireworks displays in the world.
Hong Kong Arts Festival, Hong Kong.
17th Feb – 27th Mar 2010 / 17th Feb – 27th Mar 2011
Of great cultural importance the Hong Kong arts festival is an exhibition of overseas and local artists. The arts festival has grown into one of the most important events in the local arts calendar, in terms of number of visitors, stature of the artists and the diversity of the performances. The Festival begins with a spectacular open air event and performances continue for an entire month.
Hong Kong International Film Festival, Hong Kong.
21st Mar – 6th Apr 2010 / 20th Mar – 5th Apr 2011
Every year the Hong Kong Film Festival presents movie-lovers with a plethora of films and events to get their teeth into. The festival sees the screening of approximately 300 films, a mixture of entertainment from within Asia but also from all over the world.
Disclaimer
Public holidays are subject to change, astrological interpretation, and regional variation. To the best of our knowledge the information provided is accurate, and has been thoroughly researched. However, the information provided is only a guide, we will take no responsibility for any loss arising from its use.
Useful Links
China Holidays by TravelChinaGuides.com
China Beijing Tours from ChinaTour360.com
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