Special Events & Festivals in China

There is an exciting and varied range of active, artistic and cultural festivals and events that take place in China each year. Take your pick from the world famous Dragon Boat Races of Suzhou and Hong Kong - a 2000 year old tradition, Chinese New Year - a cacophony of sound and light, the Float Festival in Hong Kong or the Weifang Kite Festival - considered to be the world's greatest kite flying event.

Luoyang hosts its colourful Peony flower blossom festival each April and Shanghai sets a beat with its 'Symphony of Fire' carnival where pyrotechs and musicians and from all over the globe team up to host a choreographed musical and fireworks extravagana.

Our events calendar below gives an introduction to a number of exciting and unusual festivals and events taking place in China this year. Many are hosted annually and a number are scheduled in accordance with the Chinese Lunar calendar. You could opt to arrive to China a little earlier or extend your holiday if you wish to attend. The date and details of each event are subject to change. For further information please visit the website of the particular event you are interested in or contact us. 

January

Float Exhibition: Hong Kong – Jan to Feb 2012

Incorporating fantastically decorated floats with international music acts and local Hong Kong performance groups and is part of The Spring Festival, the celebrations for Chinese New Year. The festival begins on the First Day of the first Chinese lunar month and ends on the 15th, typically during January or February.

Butter Lamp Festival: Lhasa - Jan to Feb 2012

The festival dates back centuries and honors the monk Sakyamuni who won a debate against Heretics in the 15th Century. To celebrate the occasion the locals use ghee (yak butter) to make extravagant works of art taking the shape of Buddha, landscapes, flowers, trees, birds and beasts and lanterns that light up the city.

Lusheng Festival: Kaili - Jan to Feb 2012

One of the most important festivals to the Miao community. The celebrations begin on the 16th day of the first Lunar month, climaxing on the 19th and 20th days usually in January or February. The festivities include much singing, dancing, horseracing and playing of the traditional bamboo instrument – the Lusheng.

April

Weifang International Kite Festival: Weifang - 20 to 25 April 2011

One of the most popular festivals in the Shandong province attracting up to 600,000 guests. With kite enthusiasts being drawn from all over the world with dancing kites, racing kites, acrobatic kites and extraordinarily large kites – some as long as 300 metres – it is no wonder Weifang is considered the kite capital of the world.

Peony Festival: Luoyang - Apr to May 2011

The Peony is one of the most revered flowers in China, every April the Luoyang Peony Festival takes place in Wangcheng Park, the largest park in the Henan Province covering around 40 hectares. The festival is not one to miss, radiant with the colour of thousands of peonies in bloom and festivities of singing and local music.

June

Dragon Boat Festival: Hong Kong - 6 Jun 2011

Huge crowds gather on the river banks to cheer on ornately carved and painted boats that can have as many as 80 – 100 rowers in a single boat. All done to the beating of drums and after the races dragon dancing and fireworks fill the night with noise.

Dragon Boat Festival: Suzhou - 6 Jun 2011

The Dragon Boat Festival in Suzhou is celebrated in the same manner as Dragon Boat races throughout the world with ornately decorated dragon boats all vying for victory while furiously rowing to the beat of drums. The tradition is centuries old, once the race is won the celebrations go well into the night.

September

Mount Tai International Climbing Festival: 6 to 10 Sep 2011

Celebrating the Emperors of feudal times who visited the mountain to make sacrifices to Heaven and Earth. Runners race up the mountain taking part in different levels of expertise and fitness while festivities continue at the base of the mountain. Located just north of Tai’an city in East China’s Shandong province.

Confucius Festival: Qufu - 26 Sep to 10 Oct 2011

Taking place in Qufu, Shandong Province, the birthplace of Confucius. After the opening ceremony the festival continues with traditional dance performances, exhibitions and seminars on the teachings of Confucius, calligraphy demonstrations and some years a Kung Fu competition.

Shanghai International Music & Fireworks Festival: 30 Sep to 6 Oct 2011

Celebrated annually since 2000 this festival attracts fireworks and music artists from all over the world. Previous years have seen acts from Britain, Argentina, Switzerland, Japan, Canada and the USA. The festival involves choreographed music with a fireworks display as each country puts its own unique spin on their “symphony of fire.”

November

Shanghai International Magic Show: 5 to 8 Nov 2011

The Shanghai International Magic Show is part of the ongoing Shanghai International Art Festival; it is an opportunity for international magicians to show their skills as well as amateur local magicians to get their lucky break.

Miao New Year Festival: Nov 2011

The most important festival to the Miao people. The festival falls in the tenth month of the Miao calendar, typically around November, and lasts for around 5 days. The festival includes parades featuring women in traditional Miao dress, traditional music of the Lusheng (a traditional instrument made of bamboo), bullfighting, horseracing and plenty of singing and dancing.