Kaifeng Festivals And Activities

Kaifeng (开封) is one of China’s most famous ancient capitals and a city where traditional festivals are deeply connected with Song Dynasty culture, folk customs, and local heritage. Throughout the year, Kaifeng hosts a wide range of cultural events, from the spring Kaifeng Qingming Culture Festival (开封清明文化节) and autumn China Kaifeng Chrysanthemum Culture Festival (中国开封菊花文化节) to summer Song-style cultural celebrations and winter traditional temple fairs.

Many festivals in Kaifeng are not only celebrations but also immersive tourism experiences. Visitors can wear traditional Song-style costumes, watch ancient-style performances, join folk activities, taste traditional food, and experience the lifestyle of the Northern Song Dynasty when Kaifeng was the world-famous capital of Dongjing (东京).

Spring Festivals (March–May): Qingming Culture and Flower Celebrations

Spring is the opening season of Kaifeng’s annual festival calendar, with the Kaifeng Qingming Culture Festival (开封清明文化节) as the most representative event.

The festival recreates the prosperous atmosphere of Northern Song Kaifeng through Song-style costume parades, traditional performances, folk customs, and immersive cultural activities. Major attractions such as Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden (清明上河园) organize special programs featuring Song Dynasty life scenes, allowing visitors to experience the historical atmosphere depicted in the famous painting Along the River During the Qingming Festival (清明上河图).

Other spring events include traditional temple fairs and historical cultural activities such as the Dongjing Yuwang Temple Fair (东京禹王大庙会) and Yue Fei Culture Festival (岳飞文化节), which combine folk traditions with historical education.

Summer Festivals (June–August): “Happy Song” Summer Tourism Season

Summer in Kaifeng focuses on refreshing cultural experiences under the theme of “Happy Song (欢乐宋)”, combining Song Dynasty culture with modern tourism activities.

The Kaifeng Summer Cultural Tourism Consumption Season (开封暑期文旅消费季) brings together major scenic areas across the city, creating a citywide summer festival atmosphere.

Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden: Song Dynasty Lotus Summer Festival (大宋·荷风夏凉季)

Held during July and August, this event combines lotus culture with Song-style summer traditions. Activities include lotus-themed performances, interactive NPC experiences, traditional games, summer markets, and creative cultural activities. The lotus-themed decorations and ancient-style scenes create popular photo opportunities.

Wansui Mountain Martial Arts City: Summer Water Carnival (万岁山武侠城清凉狂欢)

Inspired by traditional water festivals and combined with martial arts culture, this event features large-scale water games, interactive performances, water challenges, and entertainment programs. It has become one of the most popular summer activities in central China.

Kaifeng City Wall Summer Carnival (开封城墙夏日吃瓜狂欢)

This summer event uses local watermelon culture as its theme, combining games, stamp-collecting activities, cultural markets, and traditional-style experiences.

Kaifeng Prefecture Summer Activities (开封府暑期活动)

Visitors can enjoy traditional performances, taste local summer fruits, and experience the immersive night show “Nanya Qianqiu Moon (南衙千秋月)”.

Iron Pagoda Song-Style Lotus Festival (铁塔景区千年铁塔·宋风荷韵游园会)

Held around July and August, this festival combines lotus viewing, traditional performances, cultural experiences, and leisure activities around the historic Iron Pagoda (铁塔).

Dragon Boat Festival Activities (端午文化节)

During the Dragon Boat Festival, Kaifeng attractions organize traditional activities including dragon boat performances, making zongzi (rice dumplings), throwing pots, folk games, and intangible cultural heritage markets.

Autumn Festivals (September–November): China Kaifeng Chrysanthemum Culture Festival

Autumn is the most internationally recognized festival season in Kaifeng, centered on the China Kaifeng Chrysanthemum Culture Festival (中国开封菊花文化节).

The chrysanthemum has been cultivated in Kaifeng for more than 1,500 years. During the Northern Song Dynasty, chrysanthemum cultivation reached a peak, and Kaifeng became famous for its varieties and gardening techniques.

Since chrysanthemum was officially named Kaifeng’s city flower in 1983, the city has held an annual chrysanthemum festival that has become one of China’s major flower tourism events.

The festival usually features:

• Large-scale chrysanthemum exhibitions
• Song Dynasty cultural performances
• International cultural exchanges
• Folk art activities
• Food and cultural tourism experiences

During the festival, major areas such as Longting Park (龙亭公园), Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden (清明上河园), and ancient city areas are decorated with millions of chrysanthemum displays, creating the atmosphere of “a city filled with chrysanthemum fragrance.”

Winter Festivals (December–February): Song New Year Culture and Folk Temple Fairs

Winter in Kaifeng is the season of traditional Chinese New Year celebrations. The city recreates the festive atmosphere of ancient Bianjing (汴京) through the Song Dynasty New Year Culture Festival (大宋年文化节).

During the Spring Festival period, visitors can experience:

• Folk performances
• Lantern exhibitions
• Traditional markets
• Local food festivals
• Song-style cultural activities

Spring Festival Folk Culture Festival (春节民俗文化节)

At Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden (清明上河园), visitors can enjoy hundreds of performances, folk activities, traditional handicrafts, and large-scale lantern displays.

Lantern Festival (元宵节上元灯会)

During the Lantern Festival, areas such as Longting Park (龙亭公园), Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden (清明上河园), and Daliang Gate (大梁门) are decorated with thousands of lanterns. Traditional performances include lion dances, stilt walking, land boats, and folk music.

Traditional Kaifeng New Year customs include worshiping the Kitchen God on the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month, making dumplings shaped like ancient gold ingots, giving lucky money, and visiting relatives during the Spring Festival.

Ethnic Minority Festival Activities

Kaifeng (开封) is a multi-ethnic city with communities including the Hui ethnic group (回族) and other minority groups.

The most important minority festival is Eid al-Fitr (开斋节) celebrated by Hui Muslim communities.

During Eid al-Fitr:

• Muslims gather at mosques for prayers.
• Families visit relatives and exchange greetings.
• Traditional halal food is prepared and shared.
• Community cultural activities are organized.

Important celebration locations include Muslim communities and mosques such as Tongxu County Chengguan Mosque (通许县城关清真寺).

Festival Tours with Yaso Trip: Kaifeng Annual Festival Activities List