Gregorian Date
April 5, 2026
Lunar Date
2/18
Day of Week
Sunday
Qingming Festival (清明节 / Tomb-Sweeping Day) combines an ancient solar term with the Cold Food (Hanshi) custom. Folk tradition links Hanshi to Jie Zitui, a loyal official of the Spring and Autumn state of Jin. In 732 CE, Emperor Xuanzong of Tang limited formal tomb rites to around Qingming, helping merge ancestor veneration, tomb sweeping, and spring outings into the festival known today.
Qingming Festival (清明节/清明節), also known as Tomb-Sweeping Day, is both a solar term and a traditional festival. It is a time to honor ancestors and deceased family members.
Families visit the graves of their ancestors, clean tombstones, offer food and incense, and burn joss paper. It is also a time for spring outings (踏青) and flying kites.
Qingtuan (green glutinous rice balls), cold foods
Derived from the Cold Food Festival commemorating Jie Zitui, a loyal man who died in a fire.
Do not visit friends or relatives, do not wear bright colors.