Winter Solstice Festival
Also called: Dongzhi Festival
What is Winter Solstice Festival?
The Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year, is a family festival. Families in the north eat dumplings and families in the south — and in Singapore and Malaysia — eat sweet rice balls.
Winter Solstice Festival dates 2026–2030
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | |
| 2027 | |
| 2028 | |
| 2029 | |
| 2030 |
Where it comes from
Dongzhi is one of the 24 solar terms and was once one of the most important days of the year: an old saying goes 冬至大如年, "the Winter Solstice is as big as New Year". After it, the days start to get longer.
How people celebrate
- Northern China: eat dumplings (饺子)
- Southern China, Singapore, Malaysia: eat sweet rice balls (汤圆)
- Have a family dinner
Words and greetings
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 冬至快乐 | PinyinDōngzhì kuàilè | EnglishHappy Winter Solstice |
| 饺子 | Pinyinjiǎozi | Englishdumplings |
| 汤圆 | Pinyintāngyuán | Englishsweet rice balls |
| 冬至大如年 | PinyinDōngzhì dà rú nián | English"The Winter Solstice is as big as New Year" |
| 冬至吃饺子了吗？ | PinyinDōngzhì chī jiǎozi le ma? | EnglishDid you eat dumplings for the Winter Solstice? |
冬至快乐 is common in the south and in Southeast Asia; in the north people ask 冬至吃饺子了吗？
Is it a public holiday?
Not a public holiday in mainland China or Hong Kong; a public holiday in Macau. Widely marked in Taiwan, Singapore and Malaysia.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Winter Solstice Festival in 2026?
Tuesday 22 December 2026 (and Wednesday 22 December 2027).
Dumplings or rice balls?
Dumplings in northern China; sweet rice balls (汤圆) in the south and in Singapore and Malaysia.
Why is the Winter Solstice important?
It is the turning point of the year: after the shortest day, the days grow longer. An old saying calls it "as big as New Year".