China Calendar 2025 - Full List of Public Holidays And Observances: Dates and Celebrations
Overview - Chinese Holidays and Working Days in 2025
This is a summary of the most crucial dates you should keep in mind while organizing your marketing campaigns and activities in China for 2025.
• Usually, the government releases the complete list of Chinese holidays for the next year only in mid December of the present year.
• Enacted in 1949, the National Annual Leave and Memorial Days law specifies the precise days and lengths of national holidays. It has undergone many changes.
Learn more: 2025 China Official Calendar - Two More Public Holidays, 27 Days in Total
2025 Calendar China with Holidays |
There are many celebrations in China throughout the year, which can be great for businesses. Festivals, celebrations, and memorials that are held in a traditional way are special times for people to get together. A lot of refined foods, cosmetics, and other luxury items are bought and given as gifts around these important dates in the Chinese calendar. The economy is also growing because so many people are traveling across the country to spend time with family and friends. Along with these celebrations, there are also business events. These yearly marketing campaigns are a huge success, with sales through the roof.
India has seven official public holidays every year. These are National Day, New Year's Day, Chinese New Year (Spring Festival), Qingming Festival (Tomb-Sweeping Day), Labor Day, Dragon Boat Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival, and Chinese New Year (Spring Festival).
In China, people who work during the week get extra days off on the weekends to make up for days they don't work during certain holidays. There are eight Sundays this year when the Chinese will be off: February 4th and 18th, April 7th and 28th, May 11th, September 14th, Sunday, September 29th, and October 12th.
One thing that makes China special is that it can combine old traditions with modern ideas. Traditional holidays like Lunar New Year and the Mid-Autumn Festival are mixed with more modern business events like Singles' Day and the E-Commerce Festival on the Chinese calendar. It is possible for businesses to build stronger relationships with Chinese customers and get more sales and attention in this fast-paced market if they understand and use these traditions in their marketing. In fact, every holiday gives businesses a chance to provide appealing deals and establish strong ties with Chinese customers. You can have the most effect on this market if you plan your activities around these dates.
In China, the government usually announces the official dates for public holidays near the end of the previous year. However, it is helpful to have a forecast to help you plan. These predictions are based on patterns seen in the past and the dates that traditional festivals are usually held.
The table below shows when the Chinese public holidays will be in 2025, along with what they mean at that time.
Full List Of China’s Public Holidays In 2024 |
Full List of China’s Public Holidays in 2025
Chinese Public Holidays in 2025
Please keep in mind that the below is only China's official holiday schedule. CLI's academic calendar may be different. For the most up-to-date version of our school calendar, talk to the Admissions Manager at CLI or your teachers.
Chinese Public Holidays in 2025 |
► Learn more: 2025 Taiwan Calendar - Full List of Public Holidays And Observances: Dates and Celebrations
More Chinese Holidays and Observances in 2025
There are a lot of holidays that change every year because they are based on the Chinese Lunar Calendar. Some examples are the Chinese New Year, the Lantern Festival, and the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Other Chinese Holidays and Observances in 2025 |
China’s Public Holidays in 2025: Dates and Celebrations
New Year’s Holiday (January 1, 2025)
The Gregorian calendar year begins on January 1. It is celebrated on January 1 and means "new beginnings" and "fresh starts." It is a day for fireworks, parties, and family get-togethers.
Spring Festival (Chinese New Year) (January 29, 2025)
Spring Festival, or Chinese New Year, is China's biggest holiday. From January 29, 2025, it includes public holidays and adjusted rest days.
The Wooden Dragon lunar year begins with the Chinese New Year. Lantern Festival comes two weeks after New Year. The extended holiday season is preceded by intense commercial activity. Tourism is also booming. The productive economy slows during this week-long holiday because most shops and factories close.
The Spring Festival in China is the world's largest human migration, with over 400 million people leaving cities for rural homes.
The origin of Chinese New Year is ancient and obscured by time. It's called the Spring Festival and lasts 15 days. On the fifth day of the first lunar month, businesses reopen after a week of public holidays.
China calls the celebration "Spring Festival" even though it falls in January or February, winter months. Because of the ancient solar calendar, which has 24 periods, Spring begins from February 4th to 18th.
Like Western Christmas, people start buying gifts, decorations, food, and clothing a month in advance. Several days before the New Year, Chinese homes are thoroughly cleaned to remove bad luck and painted red on doors and windows.
International Women’s Day (March 8, 2025)
International Women's Day is March 8, and on that day, female employees get a half-day off. Women's achievements in many areas are recognized and celebrated on this day, which often includes events and activities that support women's rights and gender equality.
China has given women a half-day holiday every year since 2014 in honor of International Women's Day.
The first International Women's Day was set up at the International Socialist Women's Conference in Copenhagen in 1910. Clara Zetkin, a German author and activist for women's rights, came up with the idea.
Berlin, Austria, Switzerland, and Denmark were the first countries to celebrate the holiday on March 19, 1911. In 1917, the Soviet Union was the first country to make it a public holiday. In 1921, the date of March 8 was made official around the world.
The United Nations made March 8th International Women's Day in 1977. It is a day when everyone should celebrate, honor, and remember women and the things they have done for society. There is a theme every year.
Happy Women's Day: Top 200+ Best Wishes, Quotes And Messages for Girlfriend, Mother and Sister |
Tomb Sweeping Festival (Qingming Festival) (April 4-6, 2025)
The 15th day after the Spring Equinox is Ching Ming, also called Qingming, or Grave-Sweeping Day. It is a time to remember our ancestors. In western time, this means it usually happens on April 4th or 5th.
On the Chinese calendar, the festival's date is shown by the characters ching, which means "pure" or "clean," and ming, which means "bright." When put together, Ching Ming means fair and clean.
This date is also written on traditional Japanese calendars because this is a date that is important in Japanese culture. The holiday is called Hansik in Korean culture.
Tomb-Sweeping Festival has been going on for more than 2,500 years. A story says that around 650 BC, a man named Jie Zitui saved the life of a prince from the Jin principality named Chong'er who was about to die of hunger. The prince said he would reward Jie later. After 19 years, Prince Chong'er changed his name to Duke Wen. He told people to look for Jie, who had hid with his mother in the mountains far away. Jie was asked to be one of the duke's ministers.
The event day changed to Qingming, and many people believe that willow branches can keep evil spirits away from family graves.
In 2007, the Chinese government declared Tomb-Sweeping Day a national holiday. This gave private ceremonies held in honor of the dead legal support and backing from the government.
Celebrations of Spring Equinox Around the World |
Labor Day Holiday (May 1-5, 2025)
Labor Day is on May 1 and is a time to recognize the hard work of workers. With added rest days, the holiday lasts until May 5, giving people a long break to travel, relax, and do a variety of cultural and fun activities.
Dragon Boat Festival (June 8-10, 2025)
Dragon Boat Festival Traditions in China |
Celebrated June 8 through June 10, the Dragon Boat Festival honors the ancient poet Qu Yuan. Celebrations include zongzi (sticky rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves) and dragon boat races in which teams row in time to the beat of drums. Along with other cultural events and activities, this festival boasts several performances.
Today's festivities represent the meager efforts of the friends and citizens who rushed down the river in order to save the revered Chu Yuan. Today, half a dozen Hong Kong sites take part in the dragon boat races.
Traditionally fashioned from teak, a dragon boat is a large war canoe with a dragon's head carved in the bow and a dragon's tail carved at the stern. The boats vary in size and seat anywhere from 20 to 80 paddlers while their length can reach 100 feet. Said to "bring the boat to life," a holy custom takes place before the race when the eyes are painted on. All boats have a huge drum accompanied by a drummer seated mid-boat who maintains the oar stroke timing.
Daylong events are the dragon boat races. Travel to Hong Kong and join teams for the races; all kinds of companies from all around the world—including police, firemen, army, embassies, and even local journalists' unions.
A gunshot starts the boats, and the noisy harbours are filled with the beating drums and cymbals from the packed coasts. The races run all day; on Hong Kong's coast, people cheer on their team with energetic song and dance.
The Dragon Boat Festivals are supposed to ward evil and bring summertime luck.
Chinese National Day Holiday (October 1-7, 2025)
National Day commemorates the anniversary of the establishment of the People's Republic of China on October 1, 1949. Parades, fireworks, and patriotic celebrations comprise the holiday. The week-long holiday, which is referred to as "Golden Week," is a period of high travel activity, with a significant number of individuals visiting family and tourist attractions.
The holiday in China is officially three days in duration; however, it is typically extended by bridge holidays, which are compensated by working on weekends, contingent upon the holiday's placement in the week. This results in the establishment of a "Golden Week" of holidays. Thus, it is the second-largest holiday season in China. In 2000, this method was implemented to encourage domestic tourism and facilitate the long-distance travel of families to visit relatives. However, National Day is distinct from the majority of Chinese holidays in that it does not impose any obligations to visit one's family.
Mass rallies and military parades were held in 1984 and 1999 to commemorate the 35th and 50th anniversaries of the PRC's founding, respectively. Since then, grand celebrations have been infrequent.
The majority of individuals hold the belief that the national days of countries are of paramount cultural significance, serving as symbols of independent states and reflecting the government system of the country.
Mid-Autumn Festival (October 7-9, 2025)
People take part in a mooncake making activity during a mid-autumn festival gala in Malacca, Malaysia, Sept. 27, 2023. (Xinhua/Cheng Yiheng) |
The Mid Autumn festival commences on the fifteenth day of the eighth lunar month.
In the event that the day following the Mid Autumn Festival holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday will be a national holiday in Hong Kong.
The Moon Festival, also known as the Mid-Autumn Festival, is observed from October 7, 2025, to October 9, 2025.
It is a period for family reunions, moon gazing, and the consumption of mooncakes. The festival is a celebration of the harvest and the full moon, which symbolizes unity and togetherness. It is characterized by extended festivities and public holidays.
Activities consist of viewing lantern displays, participating in Fire Dragon dancing, and consuming mooncakes.
Popular Western Holidays in China
As globalization continues to change cultures around the world, more and more Chinese people are celebrating Western holidays. These celebrations give people a look into Western customs and give them a chance to meet new people, do business, and share their culture. Here are some Western holidays that are becoming more and more popular in China. We'll talk about how they are celebrated and how Chinese culture has adapted them in their own unique ways.
Christmas (December 25)
Particularly in cities, Christmas, observed on December 25, is growingly popular in China. Although it is not a public holiday, many people enjoy the Christmas-themed events, gift-giving, and festive decorations. With sales and unique menus, shopping centres and restaurants sometimes embrace the holiday mood.
Halloween (October 31)
Celebrated on October 31, Halloween has become rather popular among Chinese young people. It is marked by Halloween-themed decorations in stores and entertainment venues, costume parties, trick-or-treating events, Special Halloween celebrations hosted by many bars and clubs make tonight an exciting evening out.
Valentine’s Day (February 14)
Valentine's Day observed on February 14 is much observed by Chinese couples. This is a day for showing love and affection by means of flowers, chocolates, and romantic dinners. Although it is not a public holiday, it has grown to be a major commercial event since many companies run special offers.
Easter (Date Varies)
Though not very observed, Easter is becoming more and more important in China, especially among foreigners and among those drawn to Western culture. Schools and community centers are hosting themed events and Easter egg hunts increasingly often.
Thanksgiving (Fourth Thursday of November)
Celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November, Thanksgiving is growing in popularity in China particularly among expatriate groups and those living overseas. Certain eateries have Thanksgiving menus specifically for this holiday, and people get together for food to show thanks and savor classic dishes including turkey and pumpkin pie.
St. Patrick’s Day (March 17)
Celebrated on March 17, St. Patrick's Day is becoming popular in China, especially in cities with significant expatriate populations. Wearing green, going to themed events, and savoring Irish music and dance define the holiday. Special events featuring Irish cuisine and green beer abound in many bars and taverns.
New Year’s Eve (December 31)
New Year’s Eve, celebrated on December 31, is increasingly popular in China. Although China traditionally celebrates the Lunar New Year, many people now enjoy the festivities of the Gregorian calendar’s New Year’s Eve. Celebrations include countdown parties, fireworks, and gatherings with friends and family to welcome the new year.
Date | Name | Type | |
---|---|---|---|
1 Jan | Wednesday | New Year's Day | National holiday |
28 Jan | Tuesday | Spring Festival Eve | National holiday |
29 Jan | Wednesday | Chinese New Year | National holiday |
30 Jan | Thursday | Spring Festival Golden Week holiday | National holiday |
31 Jan | Friday | Spring Festival Golden Week holiday | National holiday |
1 Feb | Saturday | Spring Festival Golden Week holiday | National holiday |
2 Feb | Sunday | Spring Festival Golden Week holiday | National holiday |
3 Feb | Monday | Spring Festival Golden Week holiday | National holiday |
12 Feb | Wednesday | Lantern Festival | Observance |
1 Mar | Saturday | Zhonghe Festival | Observance |
8 Mar | Saturday | International Women's Day | Half day holiday |
12 Mar | Wednesday | Arbor Day | Observance |
20 Mar | Thursday | March Equinox | Season |
5 Apr | Saturday | Qing Ming Jie | National holiday |
1 May | Thursday | Labour Day | National holiday |
4 May | Sunday | Youth Day | Half day holiday |
31 May | Saturday | Dragon Boat Festival | National holiday |
1 Jun | Sunday | Children's Day | Other Observance |
21 Jun | Saturday | June Solstice | Season |
1 Jul | Tuesday | CPC Founding Day | Other Observance |
11 Jul | Friday | Maritime Day | Other Observance |
1 Aug | Friday | Army Day | Other Observance |
29 Aug | Friday | Chinese Valentine's Day | Observance |
6 Sep | Saturday | Spirit Festival | Observance |
10 Sep | Wednesday | Teachers' Day | Observance |
23 Sep | Tuesday | September Equinox | Season |
1 Oct | Wednesday | National Day | National holiday |
2 Oct | Thursday | National Day Golden Week Holiday | National holiday |
3 Oct | Friday | National Day Golden Week holiday | National holiday |
4 Oct | Saturday | National Day Golden Week holiday | National holiday |
5 Oct | Sunday | National Day Golden Week holiday | National holiday |
6 Oct | Monday | National Day Golden Week holiday | National holiday |
6 Oct | Monday | Mid-Autumn Festival | National holiday |
29 Oct | Wednesday | Double Ninth Festival | Observance |
8 Nov | Saturday | Journalists' Day | Other Observance |
21 Dec | Sunday | December Solstice | Season |
25 Dec | Thursday | Christmas Day | Observance |
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