Traditional culture in plain words
Traditional Chinese festivals
These festivals include traditional holidays and the birthdays of deities. They follow the lunar calendar and have long been part of Chinese life. Communities in mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, Malaysia and overseas celebrate them in much the same way. Western dates for 2026 to 2028 are shown, to help you plan ahead.
Lunar New Year (農曆新年)
the 1st day of the first lunar month
Renri (人日), Human Day
the 7th day of the first lunar month
Lantern Festival (元宵節)
the 15th day of the first lunar month
Earth God Festival (土地誕)
the 2nd day of the second lunar month
Qingming (清明): the Tomb-Sweeping Festival
the day of the Qingming (清明) solar term
Mazu's Birthday (Tin Hau, 天后誕)
the 23rd day of the third lunar month
Buddha's Birthday (佛誕)
the 8th day of the fourth lunar month
Dragon Boat Festival (端午節)
the 5th day of the fifth lunar month
Guan Di Festival (關帝誕)
the 24th day of the sixth lunar month
Qixi, the Double Seventh Festival (七夕)
the 7th day of the seventh lunar month
Yu Lan Festival (盂蘭節)
the 15th day of the seventh lunar month
Mid-Autumn Festival (中秋節)
the 15th day of the eighth lunar month
Double Ninth Festival (重陽節)
the 9th day of the ninth lunar month
Winter Solstice (冬至)
the day of the Dongzhi (冬至) solar term
Thanking the Kitchen God (謝灶)
the 24th day of the twelfth lunar month
Lunar New Year's Eve (除夕)
the last day of the lunar year