Nanjing’s event calendar draws from imperial traditions, Republican-era history, and seasonal celebrations tied to plum blossoms and autumn harvest. The city hosts major national events, the Plum Blossom Festival in early spring and the Qinhuai Lantern Festival during Chinese New Year are the two standouts, plus smaller monthly flower festivals and temple fairs. Here is a practical month-by-month guide to Nanjing’s festivals and events with dates, locations, and what to expect. For a complete overview, see our Nanjing travel guide.
Nanjing Events and Festivals: Annual Calendar
Qinhuai International Lantern Festival – Chinese New Year (late January to mid-February, dates vary by lunar calendar). The Confucius Temple area becomes the largest lantern festival in China, a tradition dating to the Ming dynasty. Thousands of illuminated displays float on the river and line the streets. Crowds are enormous, shoulder-to-shoulder on weekend evenings. Open daily 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM. Free to walk the streets; Confucius Temple interior 30 RMB. Metro Line 3 to Fuzimiao Station. Pro tip: visit on a weekday at 5:00 PM right when lanterns switch on. See our weather by month guide for more.
Nanjing International Plum Blossom Festival – Late February through mid-March. Held at Plum Blossom Hill on Purple Mountain, home to 40,000 plum trees of 350 varieties. Peak bloom usually occurs the first two weeks of March. Entry 70 RMB (included in Ming Xiaoling ticket). Open 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Bus 20 from Metro Line 2 Muxuyuan Station. Go at 7:00 AM for empty trails. See our best time to visit guide for more.
Cherry Blossom Season – Late March to early April. Not a formal festival but a city-wide event. Best viewing: Jiming Temple Road (a 400-meter tunnel of cherry trees), Xuanwu Lake southern shore, and Nanjing Forestry University campus. Peak bloom lasts 7-10 days. Visit at sunrise (6:00 AM) for photos without crowds. See our things to do guide for more.
Nanjing International Kite Festival – Early April. Mochou Lake Park. Professional kite fliers from across China and Japan compete with dragon kites, centipede kites, and traditional swallow kites. Free entry. Metro Line 2 to Mochouhu Station. See our travel tips guide for more.
Lotus Flower Festival – July through August. Xuanwu Lake and Mochou Lake both host lotus festivals. Best viewing from causeways and teahouses on Xuanwu Lake islands. Early morning (6:00-8:00 AM) is best, lotus flowers open at dawn and close by mid-morning. Free entry.
Nanjing Osmanthus Festival – Mid-September to early October. Linggu Temple on Purple Mountain has 20,000 osmanthus trees. The temple hosts tea ceremonies and osmanthus-themed snacks. Entry included with Linggu Temple ticket (35 RMB). Bus 202 or Purple Mountain shuttle.
Qixia Mountain Red Leaf Festival – Late October through November. Qixia Mountain hosts a month-long autumn foliage festival. Peak color first two weeks of November. Entry 40 RMB. Bus 206 from Nanjing Railway Station. Go on a weekday, weekends see gridlock.
Nanjing Events and Festivals: Practical Tips
Book hotels 3-4 weeks ahead for the Qinhuai Lantern Festival and National Day week (October 1-7). During the Plum Blossom Festival, Purple Mountain shuttle buses develop long queues by 9:00 AM, arrive at 7:00 AM or take a taxi (30 RMB from downtown). Most festivals are free or under 100 RMB. The city does not shut down for any festival except Chinese New Year when small businesses close for 3-7 days.
