Beijing‘s event calendar is driven by the lunar calendar, meaning Chinese traditional festivals shift dates each year. The city also hosts international film, music
art events. This guide covers major annual events with typical timing, locations, and practical details.
Beijing Festival Calendar by Season
Chinese New Year (Spring Festival)
Chinese New Year falls between January 21 and February 20. Temple fairs are the main attraction: Ditan Park (8 Ditan Park, Andingmenwai, 10 CNY) is the largest with folk performances and snack stalls.
Longtan Park (8 Longtan Road, 10 CNY) features dragon dances. Changdian Temple Fair runs along Hepingmen Street for traditional crafts. Fairs operate 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM during the first 5-7 days. Fireworks are banned within the Fifth Ring Road. Many restaurants close for the holiday week. Tourist attractions remain open but are extremely crowded.
Beijing International Film Festival (Mid-April)
An 8-day festival with screenings at China National Film Museum (9 Nanying Road, Chaoyang), China Film Archive (3 Wenhuiyuan Road, Haidian), and Broadway Cinematheque MOMA (1 Xiangheyuan Road, Dongcheng). Tickets: 30-80 CNY standard, 100-200 CNY premieres. Buy through the Maoyan app or venue box offices. English subtitles on international films.
Dragon Boat Festival (June)
Fifth day of the fifth lunar month. Dragon boat races on Kunming Lake at the Summer Palace and in Tongzhou Canal Park. Zongzi (sticky rice dumplings) sold everywhere. Usually a 3-day holiday.
Mid-Autumn Festival (September/Early October)
15th day of the 8th lunar month. Best moon-viewing spots: Jingshan Park (2 CNY), Beihai Park, and Houhai Lake (boat rental 80-120 CNY/hour). Traditional Beijing mooncakes from Daoxiangcun bakeries cost 15-30 CNY each. If the festival falls near National Day (October 1-7), the two combine into an 8-day Golden Week, the busiest travel period of the year.
National Day Golden Week (October 1-7)
Tiananmen Square has massive floral displays. A flag-raising ceremony at sunrise on October 1. Major attractions sell out weeks in advance. Hotel rates double. Avoid traveling to Beijing during this week. The week after (October 8-15) has normal crowds and perfect weather.
Beijing Music Festival (October)
Classical music performances at the National Centre for the Performing Arts (2 West Chang’an Avenue, Xicheng) and Forbidden City Concert Hall (inside Zhongshan Park). Tickets: 80-880 CNY. Buy at venue box offices or through Damai platform online.
Winter Events: Ice Skating and Longqing Gorge Festival
Ice skating rinks open at Houhai Lake (20-30 CNY/hour) from late December. The Longqing Gorge Ice and Snow Festival in Yanqing District (85km northwest) runs mid-January through late February with ice sculptures, entry 100 CNY. Christmas is a commercial event with light displays at Sanlitun and CBD malls but not a public holiday.
See the best time to visit Beijing for a full seasonal breakdown.