Planning your year ahead requires knowing the official public holidays in China. In 2026, the country will observe seven major national holidays with a total of 13 statutory days off. Consequently, understanding these dates helps residents, travelers, and businesses schedule their activities effectively. This comprehensive guide covers only the confirmed nationwide holidays as announced by the General Office of the State Council in November 2025.
Official Public Holidays in China 2026
The Chinese government officially released the 2026 holiday schedule, featuring extended breaks for major festivals. Meanwhile, the calendar includes two “Golden Week” holidays lasting seven to nine days, providing ample time for family reunions and domestic travel. All dates listed below are confirmed by official government sources and apply throughout mainland China.
| Date | Day | Holiday Name | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 1-3 | Thursday-Saturday | New Year’s Day | 3 days |
| February 15-23 | Sunday-Monday | Spring Festival (Chinese New Year) | 9 days |
| April 4-6 | Saturday-Monday | Qingming Festival (Tomb-Sweeping Day) | 3 days |
| May 1-5 | Friday-Tuesday | Labor Day | 5 days |
| June 19-21 | Friday-Sunday | Dragon Boat Festival | 3 days |
| September 25-27 | Friday-Sunday | Mid-Autumn Festival | 3 days |
| October 1-7 | Thursday-Wednesday | National Day | 7 days |
Understanding China’s Holiday Schedule System
China employs a unique system of adjusted working days to create extended holiday breaks. However, this means certain Saturdays and Sundays become regular working days to compensate for the extra time off. On the other hand, this arrangement allows workers to enjoy longer consecutive holidays without reducing total working days per year.
Adjusted Working Days (Make-up Days)
For 2026, the following weekend days are designated as regular working days:
- Sunday, January 4: Compensates for January 2 (Friday)
- Saturday, February 14: Compensates for February 18 (Wednesday)
- Saturday, February 22: Compensates for February 20 (Thursday)
- Sunday, April 12: Compensates for April 4 (Saturday)
- Saturday, May 9: Compensates for May 2 (Saturday)
- Sunday, September 27: Compensates for October 6 (Tuesday)
- Saturday, October 10: Compensates for October 7 (Wednesday)
Detailed Holiday Breakdown
New Year’s Day (January 1-3, 2026)
The year begins with a three-day celebration marking the Gregorian calendar’s first day. Nevertheless, this is not a traditional Chinese festival; it has been observed as a national holiday since 1949. Shopping malls typically offer promotions during this period, making it an excellent time for retail purchases.
Spring Festival (February 15-23, 2026)
China’s most significant holiday marks the lunar new year, ushering in the Year of the Horse. The 2026 Spring Festival holiday is the longest in Chinese history at nine consecutive days. Furthermore, this period sees the largest human migration on earth as millions travel to their hometowns. Chinese New Year falls on February 17, with celebrations extending from Lunar New Year’s Eve through the following week.
Traditional customs include family reunion dinners, giving red envelopes (hongbao) containing money, setting off fireworks, and watching the CCTV New Year’s Gala. Most businesses close during this period, though hotels and major restaurants remain open.
Qingming Festival (April 4-6, 2026)
Known as Tomb-Sweeping Day, Qingming falls on April 5 and is a time for honoring ancestors. Families visit cemeteries to clean graves, offer food, and burn incense. On the other hand, it’s also a season to welcome spring with outdoor activities and kite flying. The three-day break provides opportunities for both solemn remembrance and spring outings.
Labor Day (May 1-5, 2026)
International Workers’ Day has been a public holiday in China since 1949. The five-day break makes it one of the peak domestic travel periods. Accordingly, popular tourist destinations become crowded, and prices for flights and accommodations rise significantly. Booking early is essential for travel during this “Golden Week.”
Dragon Boat Festival (June 19-21, 2026)
Celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, this festival commemorates the patriotic poet Qu Yuan. Traditional activities include dragon boat races on rivers and lakes, eating sticky rice dumplings (zongzi) wrapped in bamboo leaves, and hanging calamus and Chinese mugwort. The festival has been observed for over 2,000 years and represents an important cultural heritage.
Mid-Autumn Festival (September 25-27, 2026)
The Moon Festival celebrates family reunion and harvest under the full moon of the eighth lunar month. People gather to admire the moon, share mooncakes filled with lotus seed paste or red bean paste, and light lanterns. The festival honors the legend of Chang’e, the moon goddess, and symbolizes family harmony and togetherness.
National Day (October 1-7, 2026)
National Day commemorates the founding of the People’s Republic of China on October 1, 1949. The seven-day “Golden Week” holiday is the second major travel season of the year. Consequently, tourist attractions nationwide experience peak crowds, and transportation systems operate at full capacity. Grand celebrations and military parades mark milestone anniversary years in Beijing.
Practical Planning Tips
Travel Considerations
The Spring Festival and National Day holidays represent China’s busiest travel periods. Train tickets and flights sell out weeks in advance, while prices increase substantially. Therefore, booking transportation and accommodation at least one month early is strongly recommended. Additionally, expect large crowds at popular tourist sites during these Golden Weeks.
Mid-length holidays like Labor Day also see significant travel activity. However, shorter three-day breaks for Qingming, Dragon Boat, and Mid-Autumn festivals create opportunities for weekend getaways without extreme crowding.
Business Operations
Government offices and banks close on all public holidays but maintain skeleton staff for emergencies. Private companies must observe statutory holidays, though they can offer additional days off. Employees working on official holidays must receive at least 300% of their regular wage.
Most retail establishments, restaurants, hotels, and tourist attractions remain open during holidays, often with extended hours. Nevertheless, during Spring Festival, many businesses close for up to a week as staff return to their hometowns.
Long Weekend Opportunities
Several 2026 holidays create attractive long weekends by bridging with adjacent days. The Spring Festival’s nine-day break allows for extensive travel or family time. Similarly, the five-day Labor Day holiday and seven-day National Day offer substantial rest periods for domestic tourism.
Additional Observances
Beyond the seven major holidays, China recognizes partial observances for specific groups:
- International Women’s Day (March 8): Women receive a half-day off
- Youth Day (May 4): People aged 14-28 receive a half-day off
- Children’s Day (June 1): Children under 14 receive a full day off
- Army Day (August 1): Active military personnel receive a half-day off
These partial holidays do not affect most employees but are worth noting for planning purposes if applicable to your household.
Using This Calendar Effectively
This official calendar helps with multiple planning scenarios. For travel purposes, checking current local times around the world ensures you coordinate properly across time zones when booking international trips around Chinese holidays. Business professionals scheduling meetings benefit from knowing blackout dates when Chinese counterparts are unavailable.
Event planners should consult this calendar when setting dates for conferences or celebrations. Avoiding major holidays prevents scheduling conflicts and ensures better attendance. Moreover, understanding the adjusted working days helps maintain productivity schedules throughout the year.
For time-sensitive planning, you can use helpful tools like a 15-minute timer to structure your day efficiently between meetings and deadlines. These practical resources complement your holiday planning by keeping daily schedules organized.
Regional Variations
While these seven holidays apply nationwide, certain regions celebrate additional local festivals. For instance, Guangxi observes the March 3rd Festival, while Xinjiang’s Uygur communities celebrate traditional Islamic holidays. Nonetheless, these regional observances don’t affect the national holiday calendar and vary by location.
Tibet, Hong Kong, and Macau maintain separate holiday schedules that differ from mainland China. This guide specifically covers mainland China’s official holidays as established by the State Council.
Historical Context and Future Outlook
China’s current holiday system evolved from the National Annual Leave and Memorial Days regulation enacted in 1949, which has undergone multiple amendments. The extended “Golden Week” concept promotes domestic tourism and stimulates consumer spending during holiday periods.
The 2026 calendar maintains the structure introduced in recent years, balancing work productivity with leisure time. The record-breaking nine-day Spring Festival reflects continued emphasis on family values and traditional culture. For more detailed planning guides and cultural insights, explore our comprehensive travel and culture guides.
Key Takeaways for 2026
China’s 2026 public holiday calendar offers 13 statutory days off across seven major holidays. The Spring Festival’s unprecedented nine-day break highlights the government’s commitment to work-life balance and cultural preservation. Three-day weekends for traditional festivals provide regular opportunities for rest and cultural celebration throughout the year.
Understanding adjusted working days is crucial for accurate scheduling. These make-up days create longer consecutive breaks while maintaining annual working hours. Whether planning family time, business operations, or travel adventures, this official calendar serves as your authoritative reference for the year ahead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which holidays are recognized nationwide in China?
China recognizes seven official nationwide public holidays: New Year’s Day, Spring Festival (Chinese New Year), Qingming Festival (Tomb-Sweeping Day), Labor Day, Dragon Boat Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival, and National Day. These holidays apply to all regions of mainland China, though Hong Kong, Macau, and Tibet maintain separate calendars. All residents receive these days off with full pay, and private companies cannot reduce or eliminate these statutory holidays.
Which holidays create long weekends in 2026?
The Spring Festival creates a record nine-day break from February 15-23, making it the longest holiday period. National Day offers seven consecutive days off from October 1-7, while Labor Day provides five days from May 1-5. These “Golden Week” holidays are ideal for extended travel. Additionally, Qingming (April 4-6), Dragon Boat (June 19-21), and Mid-Autumn (September 25-27) festivals each create three-day weekends perfect for short trips.
Are any holidays subject to change?
The dates announced by the State Council in November 2025 are official and final. However, lunar calendar-based holidays like Spring Festival, Dragon Boat Festival, and Mid-Autumn Festival shift annually according to the lunar calendar. While the 2026 dates are confirmed, future years will have different dates for these traditional festivals. The government typically announces the following year’s calendar each November or December.
What are adjusted working days?
Adjusted working days are Saturdays or Sundays that become regular working days to compensate for extended holiday breaks. In 2026, seven weekend days are designated as working days to balance the additional days off during major holidays. Employees work their normal schedules on these days and receive regular wages, not overtime pay. This system allows longer consecutive holidays without reducing total annual working days.
Do businesses close during public holidays?
Government offices and banks close on all public holidays. However, most retail stores, restaurants, hotels, and tourist attractions remain open, often with extended hours to accommodate holiday shoppers and travelers. During Spring Festival, many businesses close for up to a week as employees return to their hometowns. Hotels and major restaurant chains typically remain operational throughout all holidays to serve travelers.
How should I plan travel around Chinese holidays?
Book transportation and accommodation at least one month in advance for Spring Festival and National Day Golden Weeks, as these are peak travel periods with sold-out trains and flights. Prices increase significantly during these times. Consider traveling during shoulder seasons or shorter three-day holidays for better availability and lower costs. Popular tourist sites become extremely crowded during Golden Weeks, so plan for longer wait times and arrive early at attractions.
What is the difference between statutory holidays and partial observances?
Statutory holidays are mandatory days off for all employees nationwide, with 13 total days in 2026. Partial observances apply only to specific groups: women get a half-day off on Women’s Day (March 8), youth aged 14-28 get a half-day off on Youth Day (May 4), children under 14 get a full day off on Children’s Day (June 1), and active military personnel get a half-day off on Army Day (August 1). These partial observances don’t affect most employees.