The traditional Qixi Festival, which is also referred to as Chinese Valentine's Day, is celebrated on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month. It is the annual date for a mythical Chinese couple, Zhinü, the fairy of weaving, and Niulang, a cowherder, separated by the Milky Way, to reunite on a bridge formed by magpies.
This year's Qixi Festival falls on August 10 and a series of activities are held across Guangdong. Here, you can immerse yourself in the romantic festive atmosphere.
Guangzhou
Qixi-themed cultural activities
In some Cantonese-speaking areas in Guangdong, the Qixi Festival is also called Qiqiao (Begging for Skills) Festival or the birthday of Qiniang (Zhinü). Worshiping Qiniang is a key ritual, with girls donning new clothes and jewelry, offering incense, fruits, and flowers to the Vega star, and praying for needlework skills and marital bliss.
(Photo: Nanfang Daily)
Zhucun is currently the most concentrated and largest village for these festive activities in Guangzhou. This year, the festivities will feature a worship ceremony of Qiniang, cultural performances, and a garden party. Tourists can enjoy diverse artistic displays, such as dance, opera, and modern drone shows.
Time: 20:00, August 10
Location: Qixi Square, Zhucun, Tianhe District, Guangzhou (广州天河区珠村七夕广场)
Wedding on water
The unique water wedding customs include boat parades along the river and traditional ceremonies, surrounded by firecrackers and folk songs. On the Qixi Festival, newlyweds will attend a group wedding ceremony in Nansha's Dongchong Town, celebrating their love in this romantic and time-honored tradition.
(Photo: Nanfang Daily)
Time: Morning, August 10
Location: Waterfront Platform, Water Street, Dongchong Town, Nansha District, Guangzhou (广州南沙区东涌水乡风情街亲水平台)
Shenzhen
Qixi lantern fair
From August 9 to 11, the Hakka Folk Customs Museum, also called "Hehu New Residence" or "Hehu Xinju," will host a mesmerizing lantern fair. The streets are illuminated with lanterns, each displaying the sentence "I love you" in different languages. The event also features traditional music and dance performances, a Hafu parade, a poetry light show, and a bustling food market offering local delicacies.
(Photo: Shenzhen Longgan Fabu)
Time: August 9-11
Location: Hehu Xinju, No.1, Luoruihe North Street, Longgang Sub-district, Longgang District, Shenzhen (深圳龙岗区龙岗街道罗瑞合北街1号鹤湖新居)
Qixi themed concert
Local bands will perform a mix of ethnic, jazz, and R&B music, providing a perfect romantic soundtrack for the festival.
(Photo: Yantian District Culture, Radio, Television, Tourism and Sports Bureau)
Time: 18:30-21:00, August 10-11
Location: Civic Square, Yantian District, Shenzhen (深圳盐田区政府市民广场)
Foshan
7th Self-Combing Women Qixi Cultural Festival
Jun'an Town Self-combing Women Qixi Cultural Festival blends the "Self-combing Women Culture" and the unique customs of the Qixi Festival, reviving traditional customs like "Bai Qi Jie". Furthermore, the venue will be adorned with items such as paper dolls, flowers, and fruits, vividly portraying the tale of Niulang and Zhinü's reunion.
(Photo: Foshan Municipal Culture, Radio, Television, Tourism and Sports Bureau)
Time: August 10
Location: Shatou Community, Jun'an Town, Shunde District, Foshan (佛山市顺德均安镇沙头社区)
Dongguan
Qixi celebration in Daojiao Town
From August 9 to 11, Daojiao Town will host nearly 30 Qixi-themed events, including a Song Dynasty-style fete on Xinlong Street, and a Coffee Life Festival featuring a food bazaar, live music, and outdoor movies at Nancheng Village's big lawn.
(Photo: Official WeChat account of Daojiao Town People's Government)
Time: August 9-11
Location: Xinglong Street, Nancheng Village, Yongqing Village, etc. in Dongguan's Daojiao Town
Shaoguan
2024 Shaoguan Qixi Romantic Carnival
The 2024 Shaoguan Qixi Romantic Carnival is underway at the Danxiashan UNESCO Global Geopark from August 2 to 25. Every Friday and Saturday evening, people can enjoy live music performances, intangible cultural shows, drone displays, and the spectacular iron flower show, set against the stunning backdrop of Danxia Mountain.
(Photo: Danxiashan UNESCO Global Geopark)
Time: Every Friday and Saturday until August 25
Location: Ecological Square, Danxia Mountain World Geopark, Renhua County, Shaoguan City (韶关市仁化县中国丹霞山世界地质公园生态广场)
Reporter: Holly
Poster: Mia, Rose Lee (intern)
Editor: Monica, James
