Xi’an’s event calendar is dominated by Chinese traditional festivals that follow the lunar calendar, meaning dates shift by 2-4 weeks each year. The city also hosts a growing roster of modern events including the Xi’an City Wall Marathon and the Silk Road International Film Festival. This guide lists all major Xi’an events with approximate timing, locations, and what to expect.
Xi’an Events and Festivals Calendar
Chinese New Year (Spring Festival) – Late January to Mid-February
Chinese New Year transforms Xi’an for 15 days with the city’s most elaborate celebrations. The City Wall hosts a large-scale lantern exhibition with illuminated sculptures and light displays installed along the South Gate section. Tickets for the lantern show cost approximately 60 CNY. The Tang Paradise theme park runs nightly Tang Dynasty-themed performances. The Muslim Quarter stays open throughout the holiday with special festival foods. This is simultaneously the best and worst time to experience Xi’an: the atmosphere is unmatched, but crowds at the Terracotta Warriors can exceed 100,000 daily visitors, hotel rates triple, and train tickets sell out within seconds of release. If visiting during Spring Festival, book everything 2-3 months ahead.
Lantern Festival – 15th Day of the First Lunar Month (February or March)
The Lantern Festival marks the end of Chinese New Year celebrations. In Xi’an, the main event is the City Wall Lantern Show that runs from the beginning of the Spring Festival through the Lantern Festival, typically 30-40 days. The South Gate section of the wall fills with large illuminated displays depicting Tang Dynasty scenes, zodiac animals, and mythological figures. The city also launches floating lanterns on the moat around the South Gate. Fireworks have been banned within the city since 2018 for air quality reasons.
Xi’an City Wall International Marathon – April
The Xi’an City Wall Marathon takes place on top of the 13.7km Ming Dynasty wall, making it one of the world’s most unusual race courses. The event includes a full marathon (42.2km requiring multiple laps), half marathon, and 5km fun run. Registration opens in January through the official race website; the 5,000 participant cap fills within hours. Race fees run approximately 150-200 CNY depending on the distance. Spectators can watch from the wall top (regular entry fee of 54 CNY applies). The race starts at the South Gate at 08:00.
Tang Paradise Imperial Music and Dance Show – March Through November, Nightly
Tang Paradise at 99 Furong West Road is a Tang Dynasty-themed cultural park built around a large lake. The nightly outdoor show recreates Tang Dynasty court music and dance with 300 performers, elaborate costumes, and water-screen projections. Shows start at 20:00 and run approximately 50 minutes. Park entry costs 120 CNY (March-November) with the show included. The park is a 5-minute walk from Dayanta Metro station (Line 3). The best seats are in the central viewing area facing the lake; arrive by 19:30 to claim a spot.
Silk Road International Film Festival – September (Annual)
Established in 2014, the Silk Road International Film Festival rotates between Xi’an and Fuzhou, with Xi’an hosting in odd-numbered years and co-hosting annually since 2019. Screenings take place at multiple venues including the Xi’an Qujiang International Conference Center. The program emphasizes films from Silk Road countries (Central Asia, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe) alongside Chinese premieres. Most screenings are in original language with Chinese subtitles. Ticket prices range from 20-60 CNY. The specific dates are announced 6-8 weeks in advance on the festival’s official website.
Mid-Autumn Festival – 15th Day of the 8th Lunar Month (September or October)
The Mid-Autumn Festival brings mooncake vendors to every street corner, and Xi’an’s parks fill with families in the evening. The Big Wild Goose Pagoda North Plaza hosts a moon-viewing event with traditional music performances. The Muslim Quarter sells special Mid-Autumn mooncakes made with local walnuts and red dates. The City Wall is a popular spot for moon-viewing; the South Gate area stays open until 22:00 during the festival.
