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).
| # | 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 |
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.
CelebrationThe 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 Week2026 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.
ZodiacAlso 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.
RemembranceInternational 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.
CelebrationCommemorates 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.
TraditionalAlso 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.
TraditionalCommemorates 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 WeekChina uses a unique "makeup workday" system where weekends are designated as working days to create longer holiday periods. In 2026:
China has three major "Golden Week" periods when hundreds of millions travel:
Chinese holidays maintain rich cultural traditions spanning thousands of years:
