Shenzhen Events and Festivals

Chinese New Year: this worldwide event is celebrated in style in Shenzhen. Because the Chinese follow the lunar calendar, it either falls at the end of January or the beginning of February. While Shenzhen does not see the crowds of people that descend on Beijing or Shanghai, it does see many people return to the city for this holiday period. The entire festival lasts for 15 days and in this time you will be able to watch spectacular dragon dances, streets filled with colour and music, parades throughout the main thoroughfares and generations of local Chinese feasting and merry-making. The Lunar calendar gives each New Year the name of an animal, and for every person born in that year; it is believed that the assigned animal will have a significant influence on their personality. Homes are extravagantly decorated and most hotels are fully booked, so make your booking early.

Shenzhen Grand Theatre Festival: is a popular event that celebrates dance, music and theatre. It has become more international over the years with actors arriving from countries across the world to participate.

Lantern Festival: signifies the end of Chinese New Year festivities and sees locals hanging coloured lanterns throughout the streets and adoring many of the city’s landmarks. Candles are lit and placed inside the lanterns, helping to create a dreamlike effect across the city. If you are in Shenzhen during this period, try yuanxiao, sticky rice dumplings which are traditionally eaten on this day.

Kuan Yin's Birthday: Kuan Yin was the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy and is highly revered across the whole of China. This day is a time for families to get together and pay their respects to the goddess at temples throughout the city. Many couples who are hoping to conceive pray to the shrines in hope of a healthy child.

Ching Ming Festival: this unique event is also known as Tomb Sweeping Day because it is literally a time for families to visit the graves of loved ones and clean the gravestones. Food, wine and flowers are offered to the deceased and paper money is burnt so that it can be used by the dead in their next life.

Dragon Boat Festival: is the third-largest festival in China. This one-time unique sport has become recognised throughout the world and is now enjoyed by many countries. The festival sees teams competing against one another in traditional long, narrow boats, rowing to the beat of a drum.

Qi Qiao Jie: is a small festival, similar to Valentines Day, and is therefore mainly celebrated by lovers. People remember and pay tribute to the old folk legend of Niu Lang and Zhi Nu. It also sees women who are looking for love make offerings of fruit and pray that a happy union will come their way during the forthcoming year.

Moon Festival: is also known as Mid-Autumn Festival and is a family occasion when the older generations recite the moon fairy story to young children. Both adults and children alike listen with great enthusiasm as the story is brought to life. The storytelling is followed by dancing and the eating of moon cakes.

Double Ninth Festival: is a celebration of Yin and Yang. The cooler autumn weather is appreciated by all and many outdoor activities are enjoyed.

Christmas: despite Buddhism being one of the dominant religions in the country, Christmas is beginning to receive recognition. Shenzhen has embraced some of the holiday traditions and visitors can enjoy customs such a gift-giving, decorations and the playing of Christmas music.