Mandarin Monday is a recurring series aimed at enhancing your Chinese skills by highlighting enjoyable and practical phrases and characters.
Since today marks the Laba Festival, it seems fitting to explore some of the traditions and unique dishes associated with Chinese festivals. We have compiled a month-by-month guide to inform you of the foods to look for throughout the year.
JANUARY
Laba congee 腊八粥 làbāzhōu, Laba Festival 腊八节 làbā jié – celebrated on the 8th day of the 12th lunar month (Jan 26, 2026)
Laba congee is a rich dish made with rice, beans, dried fruits, nuts, and proteins like bean curd. The Laba Festival originally served as a time to honor ancestors; therefore, when consuming laba congee, people first make an offering and leave a small amount after eating to symbolize abundance in the upcoming year. In northern China, this day is also when laba garlic is prepared—whole cloves of garlic preserved in black vinegar, perfect for dipping dumplings during the Spring Festival.
FEBRUARY
Dumplings 饺子 jiǎozǐ, Spring Festival 春节 chūnjié – occurring on the 1st day of the 1st lunar month (Feb 17, 2026)
Dumplings are traditionally eaten on the first day of the Spring Festival, symbolizing change and prosperity in the new year. Their shape resembles ancient Chinese gold ingots (sycee), signifying wealth. In a similar fashion to the British custom of hiding a silver sixpence in Christmas pudding, some people place a one-jiao or five-jiao coin inside dumplings, believed to bring good luck to those who find them.
Yuanxiao 元宵 yuánxiāo, Lantern Festival 元宵节 yuánxiāo jié – celebrated on the 15th day of the 1st lunar month (Mar 3, 2026)
As the final dish of the Spring Festival, yuanxiao (or 湯圓 tāngyuán) are glutinous rice balls served in a light sugar syrup, available in various sizes and fillings. Yuanxiao literally translates to “first evening,” referring to the first full moon after the Chinese New Year, which coincides with the Lantern Festival.
Spring Pancakes 春饼 chūnbǐng, Longtaitou Festival 龙抬头 lóngtáitóu – celebrated on the 2nd day of the 2nd lunar month (Mar 12, 2026)
This festival marks the arrival of spring. Chunbing are thin pancakes filled with different meats and vegetables, allowing common people to welcome the new season by literally "biting the spring."
APRIL
Qingtuan 青团 qīngtuán, Qingming Festival 清明节 qīngmíng jié – occurring 104 days after the winter solstice (Apr 5, 2026)
These green glutinous rice dumplings, typically filled with sweet red bean paste, are linked to the Qingming, or Tomb-Sweeping Festival. Qingtuan is a seasonal delicacy, as the barley grass used for their color and flavor is only available around Qingming.
JUNE
Zongzi 粽子 zongzi, Dragon Boat Festival 端午节 duānwǔ jié – celebrated on the 5th day of the 5th lunar month (Jun 19, 2026)
Beyond the famous dragon boat races, zongzi, which are steamed glutinous rice dumplings wrapped in banana or reed leaves, are a highlight of the Dragon Boat Festival. Legend has it that zongzi originated during the Warring States Period when poet Qu Yuan drowned himself in the Miluo River, and villagers threw rice packets into the water to prevent fish from consuming his body.
AUGUST
Qiaoguo 巧果 qiǎo guǒ, Qixi Festival 七夕 qīxī – occurring on the 7th day of the 7th lunar month (Aug 19, 2026)
Qixi commemorates the love story of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl, whose forbidden romance resulted in their separation across the Milky Way, allowing them to meet only once a year on this day. Traditionally a women’s festival, young girls make qiaoguo—thin, fried pastries crafted from flour and sugar syrup.
OCTOBER
Mooncakes 月饼 yuèbǐng, Mid-Autumn Festival 中秋节 zhōngqiū jié – celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month (Sep 25, 2026)
The round shape of mooncakes symbolizes the full moon and
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Culturopolis has arrived, and next week in Beijing, there will be a bag-making workshop and a unique Spittoon event.
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This week in Beijing, you can enjoy discounted crêpes, a comedic love story, and a pet-friendly celebration for the Chinese New Year.
Live performances, engaging dancing, a Battle of the Bands, and additional activities.
The largest day in American football is approaching next week!
Below are responses to frequently asked questions regarding the event, as well as directions to the venue.
When you choose to visit China, you’re entering a vast nation rich in thousands of years of history and culture. It’s a society influenced by significant events and governed by strict control over what you perceive and hear. While it may outwardly seem impressive and orderly, there are genuine contradictions and complexities that are crucial to grasp before your journey.
Stay informed about the traditional Chinese festival calendar by using this useful guide.