As a city brimming with Chaoshan culture, Shantou invites you to celebrate the 2025 Chinese New Year with a dazzling array of cultural and tourism activities. Come to this coastal city in south China's Guangdong Province to immerse yourself in rich folk traditions and explore Chaoshan culture through various intangible cultural heritages.
1. Chao'nan District Yingge dance banquet
To be held in Dongli Ancient Village (东里古寨), this event includes Yingge dance, dining, and a cultural fair.
📅Date: January 31–February 1, afternoons
📍Location: Dongli Village, Dongxian Community, Longtian Town, Chaonan District (潮南区陇田镇东仙社区东里寨)
2. Chaoyang District Yingge dance carnival
A grand parade featuring 30 Yingge dance and lion dance teams, with a special performance by 18 "Shi Qian" characters.
📅Date: February 2, 9 AM–12 PM
📍Location: Wenguang Tower Square (文光塔广场) and nearby main roads, Chaoyang District
3. Regular Yingge dance performances
📅Date: Saturdays 2:30–5:00 PM and additional daily shows on January 30–February 1
📍Location: Lianhua Peak Scenic Area (莲花峰风景区), Chaoyang District
4. Chenghai Toy Culture Market
Showcasing and selling toys from major companies, with a food street featuring traditional intangible cultural heritage cuisine.
📅Date: January 30–February 1
📍Location: Bao'ao Toy Cultural Tourism Industrial Park (宝奥玩具文旅产业园), Chenghai District
5. Guanshan pig competition (冠山赛大猪)
Traditional pig competition to ward off bad luck and ensure peace.
📅Dates: February 14–15
📍Location: Guanshan Community, Chenghua Street, Chenghai District
6. Jinping District cultural experience
📅Dates: January 31–February 1
📍Location: Small Park Chaozhou Artistic Talents Street (小公园潮汕文艺人才一条街)
7. Longhu District cultural performances
Lion dances, Yingge dances, and interactive games and intangible cultural heritage exhibitions.
📅Date: January 31–February 2, 3 PM–5 PM
📍Location: Mayu Island (妈屿岛)
8. Folk culture parade
Performances featuring Yingge dances, lion dances, flute ensembles, large gongs and drums, and flag displays to celebrate and promote Mazu (妈祖) culture.
📅Date: February 3, 8 PM–12 PM
📍Location: Houxi, Mianbei Sub-district, Chaoyang District (潮阳区棉北街道后溪)
9. Chenghai District cultural parade
Large gong and drum team performance with approximately 300 performers.
📅Date: January 29 (Chinese New Year's Day), 10:30 AM–1:30 PM
📍Location: Zhanglin Ancient Port, Dongli Town, Chenghai District (澄海区东里镇樟林古港)
10. Nansha Lantern Parade
Families carry lanterns representing their surnames to ancestral halls for worship.
📅Date: February 16
📍Location: Nansha Village, Xinan Town, Chenghai District (澄海区溪南镇南砂乡)
11. Yanzao deity battle (盐灶拖神)
Villagers parade with deity statues secured in palanquins, with a team of guards protecting the deity and spectators trying to "pull down" the statues.
📅Date: February 18–19
📍Location: Shangshe Village, Yanhong Town, Chenghai District (澄海区盐鸿镇上社村)
12. Nan'ao Fishing Lantern Parade and Competition (南澳渔灯赛会)
Over 20 parade formations featuring performances by town and village residents.
📅Date: January 29 (Chinese New Year), 9:30 AM
📍Location: Houzhai County Cultural Plaza (后宅县文化广场县城主干道), Nan'ao County
13. 2025 Chao-Style Life Festival
The festival features "Golden Snake" Yingge dance performances, local handicraft and painting experience for good fortune, and fun farm activities such as catching loaches.
📅Date: January 28–February 3
📍Location: Golden Coast Cultural Tourism Town (中海黄金海岸文旅小镇)
14. Spring Festival Lantern Riddle Plaza (新春灯谜广场)
Over 10 sets of lantern riddles for interactive entertainment.
📅Date: February 7
📍Location: Aofei Citizen Square (奥飞市民广场), Chenghai District
More events:
Celebrate Chinese New Year in China's Shantou: modern festivities and cultural performances
Celebrate Chinese New Year in China's Shantou: art, science, and sports
Author | Chen Longyan
Photo | Wu Caiqian
Editor | Wei Shen, James, Shen He