Beijing Holidays 2026 Include Record-Breaking 9-Day Spring Festival

Beijing Holidays 2026

Beijing operates on a public holiday system that differs from Western calendars. The Chinese government announces official break dates each November, and 2026 brings something noteworthy—a nine-day Spring Festival holiday starting February 15, the longest consecutive break in the country's modern schedule. This extended period coincides with Chinese New Year celebrations and Year of the Horse traditions.

The holiday calendar also includes six other official breaks throughout the year. Some holidays trigger "adjusted workdays" where weekends become working days to compensate for longer vacation periods. Understanding these dates matters if you're booking flights or planning museum visits, since patterns shift dramatically during Golden Week periods in May and October.

2026 Beijing Holiday Calendar: Every Date You Need

Official Public Holidays in Beijing 2026

The beijing holidays 2026 calendar follows China's national schedule. Seven official breaks spread across the year, with the State Council's November 2025 announcement confirming specific dates. I've laid out the complete list below since mixing up rest days and makeup workdays can mess up travel plans pretty quickly.

Spring Festival stands out this year. Nine consecutive days off marks the longest official holiday China has scheduled since establishing the modern calendar system. The break starts on Lunar New Year's Eve (February 15) and runs through February 23. Most businesses shut down during this period, though major tourist sites stay open with adjusted hours.

How Adjusted Working Days Work

To know beijing holidays 2026 system, one has to know about makeup workdays. The Chinese extend the holidays by borrowing the neighboring weekends and compensate by necessitating work in different Saturdays or Sundays. This may seem strange, but this is what locals are accustomed to.

The pattern is as follows: Spring Festival will have two additional weekends (February 20 and 23), which means that February 14 and 28 will be working Saturdays. Likewise, October 6-7, i.e. September 20 and October 10, become working days due to National Day. Such modified dates are reflected in the official calendars with special indicators.

I have observed that foreigners are not always intuitive enough to pick up on this. They reserve weekends with the assumption that there is no work in the Saturday and then they find that their Chinese workmates are at work. The modified working days influence the traffic patterns as well trains and highways become busier during these working weekends as people travel or commute between holidays. Beijing holidays 2026 Check your exact dates and then make hotel bookings or business meetings before beijing holidays 2026.

Spring Festival 2026: Beijing's Epic 9-Day Celebration

February 15-23: Why This Year Is Different

Both length and cultural heft wise, Spring Festival leads beijing holidays 2026. This year the State Council gave the additional two days at the expense of late February, forming a block of nine days. This is in comparison to the last record of eight days that was recorded in 2019 when Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day occurred together.

The arithmetic goes like this: Chinese New Year is on February 17 (Tuesday) and the party is launched into the night before the Lunar New Year. The government has since set the break back to February 15 and forward to February 23 and set makeup workdays on February 14 and 28. It is the first year when the Spring Festival has become a nine consecutive day holiday.

Year of the Horse also comes with certain festival decorations that you will find in Beijing. In place of the snake image last year, red horse figurines are used in the temple fairs and shopping malls. The tradition of the horse zodiac signifies dynamism and motion in the Chinese culture thus it is likely that the cultural events will be vibrant. When I went to the Panjiayuan Market, I saw sellers there already had paper cuttings and clay sculptures with horse themes.

Beijing's Must-See Spring Festival Activities

The festival has anchored Longtan Lake Temple Fair (龙潭湖庙会) and Ditan Park Temple Fair (地坛庙会). Entry runs ¥10-20 at both venues. In TripAdvisor reviews, crowds are reported to be 100,000 a day, hence come before 10am. Longtan is concentrated on food booths - tanghulu candied fruit, roast chestnuts, whereas Ditan is oriented toward being traditional with folk performances and calligraphy demonstrations.

The ice lantern festival in Taoranting Park cuts huge blocks into pagodas and zodiac animals, which are lighted inside. The costs range between 50-80 and the horse sculptures of last year were 3 meters high.

The Spring Festival Gala of CCTV is aired on New Year Eve (8pm). I even took part in a local family dumpling making event that afternoon we made jiaozi and watched the four hour variety show. They said I could not go till midnight when they all eat dumplings. The broadcast is criticised as being dated, but it is the key to how Beijing celebrates.

What Stays Open, What Shuts Down

The Forbidden City has less hours throughout the Spring Festival, which is normally 8:30am-4:30pm, and the last entrance is 3.30pm. The number of visitors per day reduces to approximately 40, 000 instead of the usual 80, 000. Book the tickets online at the official website of the Palace Museum at least three days in advance- they are sold out. The Great Wall at Badaling and Mutianyu both remain open with regular schedules, but the shuttle buses may decrease the frequency.

Mini restaurants shut down completely. Family Noodle shops and local restaurants close all the nine days so that employees can travel back home. Chain stores such as Haidilao hotpot and McDonalds continue to work, albeit with limited workers. The convenience store snacks I would recommend you to stock are when you are a stickler to the time of meal.

There is normal public transport. The lines of the subway are also regular, and cabs are also present but with surge pricing, which comes into play. ATM machines operate during the holiday, and I have never had any problem accessing cash during the previous Spring Festivals. Banks shut down on official business, however, card payments are still effective at most of the retailers who are open.

Golden Weeks in Beijing 2026: When Crowds Peak

Labor Day Holiday (May 1-5): The Mid-Year Rush

Labor Day is one of the busiest periods of beijing holidays 2026. The Forbidden City recorded 78,000 visitors daily during the May holiday in 2025, which is almost 80,000 people, according to the official reports on capacity. Surges are similar in Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace. I have looked at hotel rates on Ctrip in April last year, three-star properties around Wangfujing went up by 300 to 850 per night in five days.

Tourists flock less popular destinations. Jingshan Park is a place where people can see the city without having to wait in queues as they do in the Palace Museum. The park is right next to the forbidden city and it takes approximately 15 minutes to reach the pavilion. Ticket prices are ¥2 that is normal, but I believe that it may increase to ¥5-10 during holidays. The north shore of Beihai Park is another alternative, the majority of tourists are concentrated around the White Dagoba, and the paths in the background still remain empty.

Labor Day the 798 Art District functions as usual. Cafes in galleries do not receive a significant inflow of tourists in comparison with historical sites, and prices there are common. The subway Line 14 will take approximately half an hour to arrive there in central Beijing.

National Day (Oct 1-7): Beijing Goes All Out

The National Day is the event that ends the grand beijing holidays 2026 on a full week of patriotic traits. The flag-raising event at Tiananmen Square attracts the largest audiences - I attended it last October and I arrived there at 4:30am only to find the viewing point full to the brim with three rows of people. The flag is raised at the sunrise (in early October it is approximately at 6:10am), the subway Line 1 starts at 5:00am to serve people. Security checks begin at 3:00am.

The Flower Extravagance The Changan Avenue between Tiananmen and Military Museum is covered with large showcases of flowers. The decorations vary each year in the theme, 2025 was giant pandas in chrysanthemum-shaped high-speed trains. It is a 90-minute leisurely stroll across the entire distance. The flowers remain in blossom until mid October, so post-holiday week would be a better time to visit to avoid crowds of shoulder to shoulder.

Worst than Labor day, hotels spike. I have witnessed how courts of hutong hotels north of Beihai have been tripling their rates during this time. Book towards end of August or pay premium prices.

Mid-Autumn Festival (Sept 25-27): Moon-Viewing Spots

Both Jingshan Park and Houhai Lake have moon-viewers who come to celebrate the three-day Mid-Autumn break. The top of Jingshan offers clear views of an open sky, although they close at 9:00 pm (not certain that they will keep longer hours during the festival). The number of bars in Houhai remain open till late and you can sit on the stone embankment and observe the reflection of the moon on the water.

Traditional mooncakes are sold in the chains of the Daoxiangcun (稻香村) bakery. Their paste made of lotus seed is priced at 15-25 per unit and the stores keep the stock a few weeks before the festival. Their Wangfujing store is currently in a queue that circled the block last September.

When NOT to Visit Beijing: Avoiding the Chaos

The Three Worst Windows for Tourists

These dates are to be avoided in the event of planning beijing holidays 2026 where you will find manageable crowds. Hardest hit period is Spring Festival period between February 10-25. Ticket sales are made weeks before and I have seen a price of 2,400 soar to 800 in a Beijing-Shanghai flight over this period according to 2025 Ctrip statistics. Hotels raise the charge three times and most restaurants shut down altogether during family reunions.

National Day Golden Week runs between about September 30 to October 8 with some weekend readjustments. The Forbidden City can hold capacity up to noon on most days. I counted last October, at Summer Palace, the waits in the entrance-qualified with 90 minutes to book the tickets at the gate, and with 1 more hour with the Long Corridor. The Great Wall at Badaling turns into a crawl along the steps instead of the real hike.

The period of Labor Day between April 28 and May 6 is midway. It is not as hectic as Spring Festival, and the flight prices are doubled. Reservations are needed in Museums and popular restaurants. In case these windows are all you can get in your schedule, you should plan all that 3 months beforehand and look forward to enjoying all your milestones with thousands of other tourists.

Best Alternative Travel Windows

Late March works well. The weather becomes warm of 15-18 C and cherry blossoms are in Yuyuantan Park. You are ahead of the rush of Qingming Festival on April 4-6, therefore the hotel rates remain normal. I would aim at a specific date of March 20-30.

Weather and Low Crowds November has the best combination of weather and low crowds in beijing holidays 2026. The color of autumn is the highest in Fragrant Hills, the temperatures are usually about 8-12°C, and no serious holiday till New Year. Prices of flights decrease by 30-40 percent as compared to Golden Weeks.

Another gap comes in mid-June. Dragon Boat Festival is over until June 21 and most Chinese schools have not yet begun on summer vacation. It is hot but not the scorching heat of July-August. You have approximately one week between June 22 and June 30 before family travel picks up.

School Holidays & Winter Break Beijing 2026

Winter Break: January-February

The overlap of winter breaks and Spring Festival in beijing holidays 2026 will cause a six-week tourism boom. Beijing schools normally send students home in or about January 15, and back to school in February 24, but dates may vary by district. This is the same schedule in primary and middle schools and universities take earlier breaks at the end of December.

The overlap translates to dominance of family travel. Northern Beijing ski resorts such as Nanshan and Jundushan were full at the weekend. I looked at the lift ticket prices last winter, the prices were around ¥200-280 on weekdays, and ¥400-500 on weekends during the January school holiday. Hotels surrounding such resorts have to be booked in advance and the shuttle buses in Beijing are crowded by 9am.

In more numbers, children visit museums and indoor attractions at this time. The Natural History Museum and China Science and Technology Museum are especially congested with groups of schoolchildren prior to the commencement of Spring Festival.

Summer Break: July-August

Summer vacation runs July 1 through August 31 for most Beijing schools. This creates a two-month window where family tourists pack the city alongside international visitors. Temperatures reach 30-35°C, and outdoor sites like the Great Wall become less comfortable for long visits.

I'd suggest visiting Beijing either in late June before summer break begins or waiting until September when schools resume. The student rush adds another layer to already busy summer tourist seasons, particularly at attractions offering educational programs.

FAQ About Beijing Holidays 2026

Q: What are all the public holidays in Beijing 2026?

Beijing follows China's national calendar with seven official holidays. New Year's Day runs January 1-3, Spring Festival covers February 15-23 (nine days), Qingming Festival falls April 4-6, Labor Day spans May 1-5, Dragon Boat Festival happens June 19-21, Mid-Autumn Festival goes September 25-27, and National Day lasts October 1-7. These dates include adjusted rest days, so some weekends become working days to compensate for extended breaks. Check the makeup workday schedule before booking trips.

Q: How long does China shut down for Chinese New Year 2026?

The official Spring Festival holiday runs nine days from February 15-23. However, many businesses close longer. Small shops and family restaurants often shut down from February 10 through February 28 so owners can travel home. Manufacturing companies might extend closures to two weeks. Government offices and banks follow the official nine-day schedule. Major tourist sites, chain restaurants, and public transportation maintain operations throughout, though with reduced staff. If you need specific services, call ahead to confirm February availability.

Q: When is the best time to visit Beijing to avoid crowds in 2026?

Late March and November offer the best balance. March 20-30 comes after winter cold but before Qingming Festival, with cherry blossoms blooming. November features autumn colors at Fragrant Hills and comfortable 8-12°C temperatures without major holidays. Mid-June from June 22-30 provides another window after Dragon Boat Festival and before summer vacation peaks. Avoid February's Spring Festival, October's National Day, and May's Labor Day entirely. Flight prices drop 30-40% during these quieter periods compared to Golden Week rates.

Q: Are tourist attractions open during Spring Festival?

Major sites stay open with modified hours. The Forbidden City operates 8:30am-4:30pm with reduced daily capacity of 40,000 visitors versus the normal 80,000. The Great Wall at Badaling and Mutianyu maintain regular hours. Book tickets at least three days ahead as they sell out. Museums like the National Museum adjust schedules—check official websites. Chain restaurants remain open, but small family-owned eateries close for the full nine days. Stock up on snacks from convenience stores if you're particular about meal times.

Q: What is the Chinese festival in March 2026?

No major public holiday falls in March 2026. People might search this thinking of Qingming Festival, which actually happens April 4-6. The Lantern Festival occurs March 3 (15 days after Lunar New Year) but isn't an official holiday—no time off work. March sees some regional celebrations like the Zhuang ethnic minority's Double Third Festival on March 21, though this mainly affects Guangxi province, not Beijing. If you're planning March travel, you'll have normal working days and fewer crowds than surrounding months.

Q: Do I need to book hotels in advance for Beijing holidays 2026?

Golden Week periods require booking three months ahead minimum. Hotels triple rates during Spring Festival, Labor Day, and National Day, and properties near major sites sell out by late summer. I've seen Wangfujing three-star hotels jump from ¥400 to ¥850 per night during May breaks. Outside these peaks, you can book 1-2 weeks in advance without issues. March, June, and November allow flexible planning with better rates. Always check whether your dates overlap with adjusted working days when locals travel between holidays.

Q: How do adjusted working days affect tourists?

Makeup workdays create counter-intuitive patterns. When February 14 or 28 becomes a working Saturday, tourist sites actually get busier because locals take day trips instead of working. However, intercity transportation adds capacity—more trains and flights run to accommodate business travel. I noticed subway cars get more crowded on makeup workdays compared to normal Saturdays. If you're visiting during these dates, expect popular sites like the Summer Palace to have weekend-level crowds despite technically being workdays. Plan accordingly.

Q: What's the weather like during major Beijing holidays 2026?

Spring Festival in mid-February averages 0-5°C with occasional snow. Bring layers and a warm coat. Labor Day in early May reaches 18-24°C—comfortable for outdoor sites though rain increases. Dragon Boat Festival in late June hits 28-32°C with humidity climbing. Mid-Autumn Festival in late September cools to 15-20°C, pleasant for walking. National Day in early October stays around 12-18°C with clear skies most days. The Summer Palace and Great Wall become less enjoyable above 30°C, so spring and autumn holidays work better for extended outdoor visits.