| Date | Holiday | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-01 | New Year's Day | National |
| 2026-01-02 | Day off (substituted from 01/04/2026) | Substitute |
| 2026-02-16 | Chinese New Year's Eve | National |
| 2026-02-17 | Chinese New Year (Spring Festival) | National |
| 2026-02-18 | Chinese New Year (Spring Festival) | National |
| 2026-02-19 | Chinese New Year (Spring Festival) | National |
| 2026-02-20 | Day off (substituted from 02/14/2026) | Substitute |
| 2026-02-23 | Day off (substituted from 02/28/2026) | Substitute |
| 2026-04-05 | Tomb-Sweeping Day | National |
| 2026-04-06 | Tomb-Sweeping Day (observed) | Substitute |
| 2026-05-01 | Labor Day | National |
| 2026-05-02 | Labor Day | National |
| 2026-05-04 | Labor Day (observed) | Substitute |
| 2026-05-05 | Day off (substituted from 05/09/2026) | Substitute |
| 2026-06-19 | Dragon Boat Festival | National |
| 2026-09-25 | Mid-Autumn Festival | National |
| 2026-10-01 | National Day | National |
| 2026-10-02 | National Day | National |
| 2026-10-03 | National Day | National |
| 2026-10-05 | National Day (observed) | Substitute |
| 2026-10-06 | Day off (substituted from 09/20/2026) | Substitute |
| 2026-10-07 | Day off (substituted from 10/10/2026) | Substitute |
How many public holidays does China have in 2026?
China has 22 public holidays in 2026: 13 national holidays, 9 substitute days. The dates run from 1 January 2026 to 7 October 2026, and no public holiday falls in March, July, August, November, December. Observances and regional holidays are listed separately and are not counted.
Wondering how that stacks up globally? See how China's public holiday count compares.
Long weekends in China 2026
China's public holidays create 7 long weekends in 2026 - runs of three or more consecutive days off, each built around a holiday that touches a weekend.
- Thu 1 - Sun 4 January: New Year's Day (4-day weekend, Thursday 1 January to Sunday 4 January).
- Sat 14 - Mon 23 February: Chinese New Year's Eve (10-day weekend, Saturday 14 February to Monday 23 February).
- Sat 4 - Mon 6 April: Tomb-Sweeping Day (3-day weekend, Saturday 4 April to Monday 6 April).
- Fri 1 - Tue 5 May: Labor Day (5-day weekend, Friday 1 May to Tuesday 5 May).
- Fri 19 - Sun 21 June: Dragon Boat Festival (3-day weekend, Friday 19 June to Sunday 21 June).
- Fri 25 - Sun 27 September: Mid-Autumn Festival (3-day weekend, Friday 25 September to Sunday 27 September).
- Thu 1 - Wed 7 October: National Day (7-day weekend, Thursday 1 October to Wednesday 7 October).
Observed and substitute holidays in China 2026
A substitute holiday is a day off moved to a nearby working weekday when a public holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday. The legal date never changes - only the day most people actually get off.
- 2 January 2026 (Friday) - given as the day off for Day off (substituted from 01/04/2026), which falls on a weekend.
- 20 February 2026 (Friday) - given as the day off for Day off (substituted from 02/14/2026), which falls on a weekend.
- 23 February 2026 (Monday) - given as the day off for Day off (substituted from 02/28/2026), which falls on a weekend.
- 6 April 2026 (Monday) - given as the day off for Tomb-Sweeping Day (observed), which falls on a weekend.
- 4 May 2026 (Monday) - given as the day off for Labor Day (observed), which falls on a weekend.
- 5 May 2026 (Tuesday) - given as the day off for Day off (substituted from 05/09/2026), which falls on a weekend.
- 5 October 2026 (Monday) - given as the day off for National Day (observed), which falls on a weekend.
- 6 October 2026 (Tuesday) - given as the day off for Day off (substituted from 09/20/2026), which falls on a weekend.
- 7 October 2026 (Wednesday) - given as the day off for Day off (substituted from 10/10/2026), which falls on a weekend.
Regional variations are common; see public holidays across Asia for the wider picture.
Related: Chinese New Year 2027 dates.
Public holidays in China: is your date a holiday in 2026?
Every date in the table above is a public holiday in China in 2026. If the date you are checking appears there, it is a day off; if it does not, it is not a public holiday - however widely it may be marked.
For example, 1 January 2026 is New Year's Day, a public holiday in China.
More to explore: browse public holidays by country.
About these holidays in China (2026)
Our China public holidays guide explains the background of each holiday and how the dates are set.
New Year's Day
New Year's Day falls on 1 January and opens the Gregorian calendar year. Most countries mark it with a public holiday, and celebrations usually begin the night before with countdowns, fireworks and gatherings. The date was fixed in its current position by Julius Caesar's calendar reform, and later preserved by the Gregorian reform of 1582. traditions vary widely, from first-footing in Scotland to writing resolutions for the months ahead.
Labor Day
Labor Day honours the achievements of workers and the labour movement. Most countries observe it on 1 May, known internationally as May Day or International Workers' Day, which grew out of the campaign for an eight hour working day. Others, including the United States and Canada, hold it on the first Monday of September. Typical events include trade union marches, rallies and public speeches on working conditions.
Labor Day (observed)
Where Labor Day falls at a weekend or coincides with another holiday, the public holiday is sometimes moved to a nearby weekday and labelled as observed. The holiday itself honours workers and the labour movement, observed on 1 May in most countries and in September in the United States and Canada. Typical events include trade union marches and public speeches on working conditions.
National Day
National Day is a country's principal annual celebration of nationhood, often marking independence, unification, the adoption of a constitution, or the birthday of a head of state. The date and the event it commemorates are specific to each country, and in some places several National Days exist. Observances commonly includeofficial ceremonies, military parades, fireworks and cultural performances that highlight national identity.