The Traditional Chinese Festivals or holidays have been part of Chinese tradition for thousands of years; they are an essential part of Chinese culture. Many holidays are associated with Chinese mythology and folklore tales, but more realistically, they probably originated from ancient farmer rituals for celebrating harvests or prayer offerings. The most important Chinese holiday is the Chinese New Year (Spring Festival), which is also celebrated in Japan, Korea, Vietnam, and other Asian countries. All traditional holidays are scheduled according to the Chinese calendar (except the Qing Ming and Winter Solstice days, falling on the respective Jie qi in the Agricultural calendar).
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Date
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English Name
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Chinese Name
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Last day of lunar year
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Chinese New Year Eve
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除夕(chúxī)，大年夜
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1st day of 1st lunar month
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Spring Festival (Chinese New Year)
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新年(xīnnián), 农历新年, 春節, 春节,大年初一
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15th day of 1st lunar month
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Lantern Festival
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元宵節(yuánxiāojié)/元宵节，小年
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2nd day of 2nd lunar month
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Zhonghe Festival (Zhong He Jie), Blue Dragon Festival
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中和節(zhōnghéjié)/中和节, 青龙节 (qinglong jie)/青龙節
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3rd day of 3rd lunar month
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Shangsi Festival (Shang Si Jie)
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上巳節 (shàngsìjié)/上巳节,
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At the jie qi known as qing ming, solar longitude 15 degrees, 104 days after winter solstice (around April 5)
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Qing Ming Jie (Tomb Sweeping Day)/Mourning Day / Ching Ming Festival
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清明節(qīngmíngjié)/清明节
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5th day of 5th lunar month
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Dragon Boat Festival (Dragon Festival) / Tuen Ng Festival
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端午節(duānwǔjié)/端午节
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6th day of 6th lunar month
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Bathing and Basking Festival (Xi Shai Jie)
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洗晒节 (xǐshàijié)/洗晒節
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7th day of 7th lunar month
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The Night of Sevens /Magpie Festival/ Qi Xi
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七夕(qīxī)
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15th day of 7th lunar month
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Spirit Festival (Ghost Festival)
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中元節(zhōngyuánjié)/中元节
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15th day of 8th lunar month
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Mid-Autumn Festival (Moon Festival)
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中秋節(zhōngqiūjié)/中秋节
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9th day of 9th lunar month
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Double Ninth Festival /Dual-Yang Festival/ Chung Yeung Festival
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重陽節(chóngyángjié)/重阳节
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15th day of the 10th lunar month
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Spirit Festival/ Water Lantern Festival
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下元節 (xiayuanjie)/下元节
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Day of the winter solstice (solar longitude 270 degrees), December 21, 2009
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Winter Solstice Festival/Mid-Winter Festival
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冬至(dōngzhì)
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8th day of 12th lunar month
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Laba Festival/Congee Festival
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腊八节(làbājié)
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