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Xiamen Events and Xiamen Festivals
(Xiamen, Fujian, China, CN)



The locals' hospitable attitude towards foreigners ensures that they are welcome to join in any of the many Chinese festivities taking place throughout the year. These exciting events, which commonly feature the lucky colour red, are not only lively and photogenic, but are a great way to gain insight into the region's long-standing traditions. Music is also well featured, with the city boasting a rich musical history, so be sure to check local listings for visiting orchestras.

There is a variety of things to see and do in Xiamen including many annual events and seasonal festivals, including the vibrant Lantern Festival, which is held at Zhongshan Park in March and the popular Dragon Boat Festival, at Jimei during June, attracting large c rowds.




Xiamen National Public Holidays - Xiamen, China, CN
The People's Republic of China features a total of nine national public holidays each year:

• New Year's Day - January 1st
• Chinese New Year (Spring Festival) - February
• International Women's Day - March 8th
• International Labour Day - May 1st
• Youth Day - May 4th
• International Children's Day - June 1st
• Birthday of the Chinese Communist Party - July 1st
• Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Liberation Army (August 1st)
• National Day - October 1st

Xiamen Calendar of Festivals and Events

Xiamen Events and Festivals in January - Xiamen, China, CN

• No significant events and festivals in Xiamen in the month of January

Xiamen Events and Festivals in February - Xiamen, China, CN

• Sending off the Gods Day - the 12th lunar month sees earthly gods report to the emperor of heaven on mortals and their behaviour in a way not dissimilar to how parents report to Santa on whether their children have been good or bad during the year. In Xiamen offerings are made to sway the earthly gods into giving a positive report, and houses are cleaned while the gods are away so as not to upset them during the cleaning process
• Chinese New Year (Chun Jie) - also referred to as Spring Festival, this is the most important event in the Chinese lunar calendar. Normally occurring in January or February, moving around at this time is near impossible as the local population makes their way back to their ancestral homes to swap gifts. This family time is spent carrying out traditions to ensure good luck in the forthcoming year, eating special foods and setting off firecrackers

Xiamen Events and Festivals in March - Xiamen, China, CN

• Lantern Festival (Yuan Xiao Jie) - early March, sometimes late February, held on the 15th day of the lunar calendar, Zhongshan Park becomes the site of colourful shows and performances. The city fills with brightly lit lanterns, which are said to bring luck in finding a husband if carried by a girl
• Xiamen International Marathon - held annually at the end of March, the marathon has been hosted yearly since 2003 and attracts over 12,000 competitors. With runners from across the globe participating, including Olympic participants, the event draws an enthusiastic crowd which line the marathon route to cheer on the athletes

Xiamen Events and Festivals in April - Xiamen, China, CN

• Cold Food Festival - 4th April, in memory of the death of a Chinese hero, the Prince of Jin, who died in a forest fire. Traditionally his death was commemorated by the people through the abstinence of fire for an entire month, yet this has now diminished to a one-day fire fast. As fire is not used on this day, locals in Xiamen dine on cold food including cold noodle soup and spring rolls, though foreigners aren't expected to adhere to this
• Qing Ming Je Festival - 5th April, commonly referred to as Grave-Sweeping Day, this festival is held in honour of the dead. In addition to cleaning graves, other strange yet fascinating customs are performed to appease spirits including burning paper money, which can then be used by the deceased, and making offerings of food and wine, which can also be taken into the spirit world by the dead. Separate offerings are made to ill-intentioned spirits to prevent them getting jealous and stealing food and money intended for ancestors

Xiamen Events and Festivals in May - Xiamen, China, CN

• Tourism Festival - held on 1st May, this festival is intended to allow tourists to experience Xiamen's culture close at hand through spectacular performances and activities, as well as an extravagant opening ceremony

Xiamen Events and Festivals in June - Xiamen, China, CN

• Dragon Boat Festival - falling on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, centuries-old traditions are carried out on this day to keep ill-intentioned spirits away and make way for the year ahead. Typically, Xiamen residents will clean their houses from top to bottom and eat sweet sticky rice snacks. The highlight however is the International Dragon Boat Race, which takes place at Jimei and attracts huge crowds. Rice parcels are thrown into the water during the festivities to appease water gods and the ancient poet Qu Yuan, who is said to have drowned himself

Xiamen Events and Festivals in July - Xiamen, China, CN

• No significant events and festivals in Xiamen in the month of July

Xiamen Events and Festivals in August - Xiamen, China, CN

• Ghost Month (Guf Yué) - early August (the seventh lunar month), a superstitious festival, where ghosts from hell are believed to roam the earth

Xiamen Events and Festivals in September - Xiamen, China, CN

• Mid-Autumn Festival (Zhongqiujie) - September / October, Moon Festival occurs on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month and has its origins in a legend about a moon goddess. To appease the goddess, Xiamen residents burn paper money and make offerings of moon cakes on this day. The cakes are also given to family and friends, as is money, handed to the recipient in a red Hongbao envelope. Gambling for moon cakes is also a popular pursuit on this day

Xiamen Events and Festivals in October - Xiamen, China, CN

• National Day (Guo Qing Jie) - begin on 1st October spanning three or four days, National Day celebrations where workers are usually awarded three or four days off for the festivities. Friends and family gather together for meals, while special events take place around the city including musical shows, dances, fireworks displays and opera performances. Those who don't like crowds can stay home and watch the action on TV

Xiamen Events and Festivals in November - Xiamen, China, CN

• No significant events and festivals in Xiamen in the month of November

Xiamen Events and Festivals in December - Xiamen, China, CN

• Christmas - 25th December, as home to China's first Protestant church, Christian influence on the city is evident, with many churches still in use today. The Christian population in Xiamen attend religious services on Christmas Day and gather together for present giving and other customs. Musical concerts are held at Gualangyu's Trinity Church around Christmas time, attracting both Christians and non-Christians
• Winter Festival (Dongzhi) - winter solstice, the shortest day of the year, is marked by the Winter Festival which is considered to be a lucky day for trading and entering into business agreements. Don't forget to eat a plate of winter dumplings - each serving is said to add a year to your life!

 
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