Chinese Festival 中国节日

Developed from remote antiquity, the splendid and colorful living context of that time is vividly presented in these unique and interesting customs of circulated festivals. Most traditional Chinese festivals took shape during Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC) and major festivals greatly celebrated today were fixed by the time of Han Dynasty (206 B.C.–220 A.D.). Chinese traditional festivals are celebrated according to the Chinese lunar calendar or Chinese agriculture calendar (农历:nóng lì); Therefore, dates of each festival are varied in western calendar every year. But all festivals make no difference to be celebrated for good wishes for happiness, health, luck, wealth and most important, family reunio.

important Festivals for Chinese

about eight traditional festivals are celebrated nationwide in China, namely, Spring Festival, Lantern Festival, Tomb-sweeping Day, Dragon Boat Festival, Qiqiao Festival, Ghost Festival, Mid-autumn Day and Double Ninth Festival. Some other festivals are also celebrated but varied in different areas such as Laba Rice Porridge Festival, Double Sixth Festival, and Winter Solstice Festival. In addition, unique festivals are celebrated among different ethnic groups, e.g. Torch Festival among Yi people, Lusheng Festival among Miao people, Water-sprinkling Festival among Dai people and the like. The following table is a brief overview on general information of the eight major festivals in China.

 

Festival	Date (lunar/western calendar)	Activities
Spring Festival	From the last day of lunar December to the fifteenth day of the lunar year/ late January or early February	Set off fireworks, paste spring couplets and new year paintings, shousui (stay up late), worship to gods, have a family reunio dinner, have dumplings, pay New Year visits, watch dragon dances and lion dances, watch the Spring Festival Gala.
Lantern Festival	The 15th day of the lunar year/ around February	Burn incenses, enjoy festive lanterns, guess lantern riddles, and go to temple affairs.
Qingming Festival (Tomb-sweeping Day)	The 106th day after Winter Solstice (around Dec.21-23)/ around April 4 and April 5.	Worship to ancestors, go outing, do spring ploughing and sowing, wear and plant willow shoots, ride on the swing, fly kites.
Dragon Boat Festival (Duanwu Festival)	May 5th / late May or early June	Hang calamus and Folium Artemisiae argyi on doors, race dragon boat, have rice dumplings (zongzi) and eggs.
Qiqiao Festival/Double Seventh Festival (Chinese Valentine's Day)	July 7th / around August	Do needle works, make Qiqiao lights and food, watch Cowherd and Weaving maid meet in the courtyard.
Ghost Festival (Zhongyuan Festival)	July 15th / late August or early September	Worship to ancestors, set lanterns on the river, have dumplings and fruits.
Mid-Autumn Festival	August 15th / late September or early October	Have family reunio, appreciate the full moon, have moon cakes and fruits.
Double Ninth Festival (Chongyang Festival)	Sep. 9th / around October	Climb high places, wear medicinal cornels, have family reunio, eat Chongyang cakes, visit elder citizens.