China Public
Holidays 2026
A comprehensive guide to all statutory holidays in China, including Chinese New Year (Year of the Horse), National Day Golden Week, and the unique makeup workday system (调休).
2026 China Public HolidaysComplete List
| # | Holiday | Date | Day | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 – January to March | ||||
| 1 | New Year’s Day (元旦) | January 1-3, 2026 | Thu-Sat | Jan 4 (Sun) makeup workday |
| 2 | Spring Festival (春节) | February 15-23, 2026 | 9 days | Feb 14 & 28 (Sat) makeup workdays |
| Q2 – April to June | ||||
| 3 | Qingming Festival (清明节) | April 4-6, 2026 | Sat-Mon | – |
| 4 | Labour Day (劳动节) | May 1-5, 2026 | 5 days | May 9 (Sat) makeup workday |
| 5 | Dragon Boat Festival (端午节) | June 19-21, 2026 | Fri-Sun | – |
| Q3 – July to September | ||||
| 6 | Mid-Autumn Festival (中秋节) | September 25-27, 2026 | Fri-Sun | Sep 20 (Sun) makeup workday |
| Q4 – October to December | ||||
| 7 | National Day (国庆节) | October 1-7, 2026 | 7 days | Oct 10 (Sat) makeup workday |
New Year’s Day
元旦 (Yuándàn)
The first day of the Gregorian calendar year is celebrated with a 3-day holiday. A relatively quiet holiday in China compared to traditional Spring Festival.
CelebrationChinese New Year / Spring Festival
春节 (Chūnjié)
The most important traditional holiday in China. 2026 marks the Year of the Fire Horse, beginning February 17. This 9-day “Golden Week” is when hundreds of millions travel home for family reunions. Features include red decorations, fireworks, lion dances, and the giving of red envelopes (红包). The celebration culminates with the Lantern Festival on March 3.
Golden WeekYear of the Fire Horse
2026 is a rare Fire Horse year, occurring once every 60 years (last in 1966). People born in Horse years are energetic, confident, free-spirited, and naturally charismatic with a love for adventure.
ZodiacQingming Festival
清明节 (Qīngmíng Jié)
Also known as Tomb Sweeping Day, this traditional festival honors ancestors through grave cleaning, offerings, and prayers. Families visit cemeteries to pay respects and enjoy spring outings.
RemembranceLabour Day
劳动节 (Láodòng Jié)
International Workers’ Day is celebrated with a 5-day holiday, making it one of China’s three “Golden Weeks.” A prime time for domestic travel with parades, cultural events, and concerts in major cities.
CelebrationDragon Boat Festival
端午节 (Duānwǔ Jié)
Commemorates the ancient poet Qu Yuan with dragon boat races and eating zongzi (sticky rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves). Features colorful dragon boat competitions on rivers across China.
TraditionalMid-Autumn Festival
中秋节 (Zhōngqiū Jié)
Also known as the Moon Festival, this celebration revolves around family reunions, mooncake eating, and moon gazing. The full moon symbolizes unity and completeness. Traditional mooncakes are exchanged as gifts and lanterns light up the night.
TraditionalNational Day Golden Week
国庆节 (Guóqìng Jié)
Commemorates the founding of the People’s Republic of China on October 1, 1949. This 7-day “Golden Week” is one of China’s busiest travel periods with major celebrations, flag-raising ceremonies at Tiananmen Square, fireworks displays, and patriotic concerts. The longest statutory holiday of the year.
Golden WeekThe Makeup Workday System (调休)
China uses a unique “makeup workday” system where weekends are designated as working days to create longer holiday periods. In 2026:
- January 4 (Sunday) – makeup for New Year’s Day
- February 14 & 28 (Saturdays) – makeup for Spring Festival
- May 9 (Saturday) – makeup for Labour Day
- September 20 (Sunday) – makeup for Mid-Autumn Festival
- October 10 (Saturday) – makeup for National Day
Golden Week Travel
China has three major “Golden Week” periods when hundreds of millions travel:
- Spring Festival (February 15-23) – 9 days, largest migration
- Labour Day (May 1-5) – 5 days
- National Day (October 1-7) – 7 days, peak domestic tourism
- Expect crowded transportation and higher prices during these periods
- Book travel and accommodations well in advance
Traditional Customs
Chinese holidays maintain rich cultural traditions spanning thousands of years:
- Spring Festival: Red envelopes, fireworks, family reunion dinners
- Qingming: Tomb sweeping, ancestor worship, spring outings
- Dragon Boat: Racing competitions, zongzi eating
- Mid-Autumn: Mooncake gifting, lantern displays, moon viewing
- Most holidays follow the lunar calendar with varying dates annually
