Welcome to our Snapshot Series! 📷 Where we bring you bite-sized insights into Chinese culture; from its rich culinary traditions to its vibrant festivals and customs. Today, we’re diving into the Dragon Boat Festival 端午节 (also known as Duanwu Festival), one of China’s most exciting and time-honored celebrations.
When Does the Dragon Boat Festival Start in 2025?
The Dragon Boat Festival falls on the 5th day of the 5th month of the Chinese lunar calendar. An annual festival for more than 2,000 years paying homage to the famous poet Qu Yuan (340-278 BC). Legend says that he famously drowned himself rather than see his beloved kingdom conquered, with this festival honouring his loyalty. The holiday also acts as a chance for Chinese people to take care of their bodies and dispel diseases, as the fifth lunar month is considered a “poisonous” month in the Chinese farmer’s almanac, due to the raised activity of pets and insects during this period, as well as it being a time of year where people are more likely to catch infectious diseases.
This year the festival will take place on the 31st of May – but be careful if you want to watch celebrations! They don’t always happen on the exact date of the festival.
What Do You Do During the Festival?
Dragon boat racing and eating zongzi, glutinous rice with a vegetable and/or meat filling wrapped in bamboo leaves have become the central customs of the festival. Traditions of making the special dish vary across different parts of China. Legend has it that the people, sad over Qu Yuan’s suicide, made zongzi to feed to the fishes, so they would not eat his body. In addition to zongzi, to commemorate the Dragon Boat Festival, children normally wear scented sachets, which is meant to ward off evil. A scented sachet is an ornament worn on the front of clothing containing various aromatic herbs.
Where Can I Watch Dragon Boat Races?
Every year, there are elaborate displays celebrating dragon boating across the globe. In the UK there will be celebrations taking place in Salford, Peterborough, Manchester, Cambridge and London.
Who We Are – Guanxi
The Dragon Boat Festival offers brands a unique chance to engage with audiences through sponsorships, events, and cultural promotions. If you want to create a festival-themed campaign or connect with consumers during this celebration, get in touch with us. Discover how your brand can make a splash this Dragon Boat Festival. To learn more email us at [email protected] or visit our ‘Contact’ page.