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Festivals

Traditional festivals, dates, and how they're celebrated — with lunar calendar and checklists.

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Kitchen-God Sendoff: A Custom with Regional Dates

Kitchen-God Sendoff: A Custom with Regional Dates

The kitchen-god sendoff belongs to New Year preparations and has regional calendar differences.

Xiaonian: Why a Local Calendar Matters

Xiaonian: Why a Local Calendar Matters

Xiaonian dates and customs vary; one date should not be imposed on every community.

大雪 (dà xuě): Great Snow Solar Term

大雪 (dà xuě): Great Snow Solar Term

大雪 (dà xuě), or Great Snow, is a Chinese solar term.

Tibetan Lamp Festivals: Distinguishing Two Observances

Tibetan Lamp Festivals: Distinguishing Two Observances

The lamp observance on Tibetan tenth-month day 25 should be distinguished from first-month lamp celebrations.

冬至 (dōng zhì): Winter Solstice Solar Term

冬至 (dōng zhì): Winter Solstice Solar Term

冬至 (dōng zhì), or Winter Solstice, is a Chinese solar term.

立秋 (lì qiū): Start of Autumn Solar Term

立秋 (lì qiū): Start of Autumn Solar Term

立秋 (lì qiū), or Start of Autumn, is a Chinese solar term.

处暑 (chǔ shǔ): End of Heat Solar Term

处暑 (chǔ shǔ): End of Heat Solar Term

处暑 (chǔ shǔ), or End of Heat, is a Chinese solar term.

Qixi: Skill, Folklore and the Seventh Night

Qixi: Skill, Folklore and the Seventh Night

Qixi is associated with the seventh night of the seventh Chinese calendar month.

Shoton in Lhasa: Read the Dated Programme

Shoton in Lhasa: Read the Dated Programme

Shoton programmes should be checked for the year and venue of the intended visit.

Naadam in China: Specify the Community and Event

Naadam in China: Specify the Community and Event

Naadam is a Mongolian gathering tradition; an event in China needs its own local programme.

Qingming: A Solar Term and a Commemorative Festival

Qingming: A Solar Term and a Commemorative Festival

Qingming names both a solar term and a festival associated with remembering the dead.

Hanshi and Qingming: A Jiexiu Heritage Example

Hanshi and Qingming: A Jiexiu Heritage Example

The Jiexiu heritage record documents linked Hanshi and Qingming commemorative customs.