Specific Events Guide
In addition to the regular bank holidays which are often also festival days, there are a number of other occasions traditionally celebrated in China:
Lantern Festival – February 9
This takes place on the night of the first full moon night after Chinese New Year and marks the end of the two week long Spring Festival/New Year holiday period. The lantern festival encourages people to enjoy the full moon, admire the collection of beautiful lanterns of various shapes and sizes hung everywhere, watch the fireworks, answer lantern riddles and eat yuanxiao (a sweet stuffed dumplings made of glutinous rice flour served in soup) together.
Children’s Day – June 1
Almost all entertainment places such as cinemas, parks and children museums are open free for kids or are heavily discounted to celebrate Children’s Day. Primary schools will throw celebration parties or organize events to celebrate the holiday while parents will give their children special gifts.
Chinese Valentine’s Day
Chinese Valentine’s Day is celebrated on the 7th day of the 7th lunar month in the Chinese calendar. The legend behind this holiday casts the 7th daughter of the Emperor of Heaven and an orphaned cowherd as forbidden lovers. The 7th daughter was forced to move to the star Vega and the cowherd moved to the star Altair. They are allowed to meet only once a year on the 7th day of 7th lunar month.
