China is a country rich in history and culture, and its holidays are no exception. From Lunar New Year to Mid-Autumn Festival, each holiday has its own unique meaning and traditions. In this article, we will give American readers a brief overview of some of the most important Chinese holidays.
2024 China Public Holidays Calendar
| 2024 Date | Holiday Name | Holiday | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan. 1 | New Year’s Day | Dec. 31 – Jan. 2 | |
| Jan. 11 | Spring Festival | Jan. 10 – 16 | Chinese New Year, the most significant and celebrated festival in China |
| Mar. 28 | Qingming Festival | Mar. 28 | Tomb Sweeping Day where people pay respects to their ancestors and clean their gravesites |
| May 1 | Labor Day | Apr. 29 – May 3 | A ‘golden week’ for tourism where people can enjoy a long holiday break with family and friends |
| Jun. 12 | Dragon Boat Festival | Jun. 12–14 | A festival where people eat sticky rice dumplings and attend dragon boat races |
| Sep. 19 | Mid-Autumn Festival | Sep. 19–21 | Mooncake Festival celebrated by family gatherings, the eating of mooncakes and admiring of the full moon |
| Oct. 1 | National Day | Sep. 29–Oct. 7 | Another ‘golden week’ for tourism where people can travel domestically and abroad |
7 Major Chinese Holidays
Chinese people celebrate seven major public holidays every year, which are listed below:
- New Year’s Day
New Year’s Day is a public holiday celebrated on January 1st, much like in other countries. While it’s not a traditional Chinese festival, it’s still a time of festive decorations and sales promotions in malls. - Spring Festival (Chinese New Year)
Spring Festival, or Chinese New Year, is the most important and celebrated festival in China. It falls in late January or early February and runs for 15 days. It’s a time for family reunions, fireworks, and many cultural traditions unique to China. - Qingming Festival (Tomb-Sweeping Day)
Qingming Festival is celebrated on April 4th or 5th and is a day to honor one’s ancestors. It’s customary to visit and clean the graves of family members and make offerings of food and incense. - Labor Day (May Day)
Labor Day on May 1st is commemorated with a three-day holiday to celebrate workers and their contributions. It’s also a popular time for domestic travel and tourism in China. - Dragon Boat Festival (Duanwu Festival)
Dragon Boat Festival takes place on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month in June and features dragon boat races, traditional foods like sticky rice dumplings, and other cultural activities that date back over 2,000 years. - Mid-Autumn Festival (Moon Festival)
Mid-Autumn Festival occurs on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month in September or October. The festival celebrates family reunions, harvest moon viewing, and the eating of mooncakes. - National Day (Golden Week)
China National Day on October 1st marks the anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. It’s a national holiday and the beginning of a seven-day period called Golden Week, which is peak travel season within China.
Other China Festivals and Holidays 2024
| 2024 Date | Holiday | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Feb. 24 | Lantern Festival | Chinese festival celebrated with lantern decorations, riddles, and sweet sticky rice balls called tangyuan. |
| Feb. 10 | Tibetan New Year | One of the largest festivals in Tibet. |
| Mar. 8 | Women’s Day | Half day off for all adult females. |
| Apr. 11 | Double Third Festival | People in Guangxi have two days off for this local festival. |
| May 4 | Youth Day | Half day off for youths aged 14–28 years old. |
| Jun. 1 | Children’s Day | One day off for children under 14 years of age. |
| Aug. 1 | Army Day | Half day off for soldiers in service. |
| Aug. 10 | Qixi Festival | Also known as Chinese Valentine’s Day. |
| Aug. 18 | Ghost Festival | A traditional Chinese festival for ancestor worship. |
| Oct. 11 | Double Ninth Festival | A day in honor of senior citizens. People visit and bring them gifts. |
Culture to Know 