Gregorian Date
March 3, 2026
Lunar Date
1/15
Day of Week
Tuesday
The Lantern Festival (元宵节) took shape in the Han Dynasty (202 BCE – 220 CE). One well-known origin is Emperor Wu's night-long lantern rites for the deity Taiyi; another is Daoist observance of Tianguan (the Heavenly Official), whose birthday falls on the first full moon. By the Tang Dynasty it was a nationwide festival of light; lantern riddles became popular later, in the Song Dynasty.
The Lantern Festival (元宵节/元宵節) falls on the 15th day of the first lunar month, marking the end of the Chinese New Year celebrations. It symbolizes the first full moon of the new year.
Activities include displaying colorful lanterns, solving lantern riddles, eating tangyuan (sweet glutinous rice balls), and watching lion and dragon dances.
Yuan Xiao Jie Kuai Le (Happy Lantern Festival)
Tangyuan or Yuanxiao (sweet glutinous rice balls symbolizing family unity)
The Jade Emperor planned to burn a village, but villagers hung red lanterns to trick him into thinking it was already on fire.
Lending money is frowned upon as it may lead to financial loss in the new year.
Chinese New Year
Feb 17
Qingming Festival
Apr 5
Easter
Apr 5
Hung Kings Festival
Apr 26
Vietnam Reunification Day
Apr 30
Dragon Boat Festival
Jun 19
Qixi Festival
Aug 19
Vietnam Independence Day
Sep 2
Mid-Autumn Festival
Sep 25
Chinese National Day
Oct 1
German Unity Day
Oct 3
Double Ten Day
Oct 10
Double Ninth Festival
Oct 18