Dragon Boat Festival
Also called: Duanwu Festival, Tuen Ng Festival
What is Dragon Boat Festival?
The Dragon Boat Festival is famous for dragon boat races and zongzi — sticky rice wrapped in bamboo leaves. It falls in early summer, when people once believed illness and bad luck were strongest.
Dragon Boat Festival dates 2026–2030
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | |
| 2027 | |
| 2028 | |
| 2029 | |
| 2030 |
Where it comes from
The best-known story says it remembers the poet Qu Yuan (屈原), who drowned himself in the Miluo River around 278 BC. People raced boats to search for him and threw rice into the water so the fish would not eat his body.
How people celebrate
- Race dragon boats (赛龙舟)
- Eat zongzi (粽子): sweet in the north, often savoury with pork or egg yolk in the south
- Hang mugwort (艾草) on the door to keep illness away
- Wear fragrant sachets (香囊)
Words and greetings
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 端午节快乐 | PinyinDuānwǔjié kuàilè | EnglishHappy Dragon Boat Festival |
| 端午安康 | PinyinDuānwǔ ānkāng | Englishpeace and health at Duanwu |
| 粽子 | Pinyinzòngzi | Englishzongzi, sticky rice dumplings |
| 赛龙舟 | Pinyinsài lóngzhōu | Englishto race dragon boats |
| 屈原 | PinyinQū Yuán | EnglishQu Yuan, the poet the festival remembers |
| 香囊 | Pinyinxiāngnáng | Englishfragrant sachet |
Both 端午节快乐 and 端午安康 are used. Some people prefer 端午安康 because the festival remembers a death.
Is it a public holiday?
A public holiday in mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Dragon Boat Festival in 2027?
Wednesday 9 June 2027, the 5th day of the 5th lunar month.
Should I say "Happy Dragon Boat Festival"?
Yes, 端午节快乐 is common. Some prefer 端午安康, "peace and health at Duanwu", because the festival remembers Qu Yuan's death.
What is eaten at the Dragon Boat Festival?
Zongzi (粽子): sticky rice wrapped in bamboo or reed leaves, often pyramid-shaped, with sweet or savoury fillings.