Flower Exchange Festival
Today’s Flower Exchange Festival originated in the custom of exchanging incense sticks for Lantern Festival. At that time, Fucheng was the headquarters of the Hainan government, and the Lantern Festival was celebrated there every year, brightening the night with colorful hanging lanterns. Young men and women, children and the elderly all thronged to see the lanterns.

In the beginning, there were no street lights, and many people carried lit scented candles or sticks of incense to light their way, and would generously give a few to anyone they met. When they saw a friend, the two might joyfully exchange candles or incense, and wish each other well. It was from this custom that a unique style of greeting arose in Hainan.

Later, after electric street lights became common, people began to exchange flowers in friendly greeting instead, eliminating the risk of being burnt by candle flame. Fresh flowers or green branches are now exchanged in the street every year during the Flower Exchange Festival.

Recommended destinations: Haikou Fucheng Xiuyifang Street

Eat Vegetarian!
In Haikou, the first meal of the new year is traditionally vegetarian! You might notice that vegetable prices get a bit higher around the Chinese new year, and this is why! Haikou residents will make a big pot of vegetarian food, with celery, wood ear, mung bean noodles, peanuts, and more. Why not join in and start the new year with a healthy Hainan vegetarian meal?

Dates: Chinese New Year

Gongqi Festival
Gongqi, also known as Junpo Festival, is one of Hainan’s most important local folk celebrations. Different gods and historical figures are celebrated in different parts of the island, with parades, fireworks, sacrificial ceremonies, and even fire jumping, knife climbing, and other displays of courage. Although the celebrations are different in each town and village, they all have one aim - to ensure safety and prosperity for the coming year. 

Dates: Chinese New Year

Tanmen Fishing Festival, Qionghai 琼海潭门赶海节

Come on out to see traditional Hainan fishing culture, eat freshly caught seafood, and see the beautiful scenery of this quaint fishing town. Traditional fishing blessing ceremonies, fishing skills competitions, and exhibitions on ancient and modern Tanmen fishing customs are held during the annual Tanmen Fishing Festival.

Dates: Usually held in August, check the Upcoming Events section for the latest information and exact dates.

Location: Tanmen Town, Qionghai City, Hainan 海南省琼海市潭门镇

Li and Miao Minority Traditional Sanyuesan Festival 三月三

The Sanyuesan Festival is the largest traditional festival of the Li and Miao minorities in Hainan Province, and takes place every year on the third day of the third month on the lunar calendar. This large celebration features singing and dancing performances, traditional sport and skill competitions, exhibitions of Li and Miao art and handicrafts, and lots of tasty local cuisine.

Location: Lingshui towns and villages, Hainan 陵水各城镇

Dates: The third day of the third month on the lunar calendar. For exact dates please check the Upcoming Events section.

Wanning Lantern Festival Dragon Dance 万宁元宵舞龙

The people of Wancheng Town in Wanning, Hainan, have a special love of dragons. Every year they hold spectacular dragon dances and parades during the Lantern Festival, setting off firecrackers to welcome the dragons. The local tradition holds that any place the dragons pass by will be blessed with good weather, happiness, and health. The dragon dances have been held in Wancheng for so long that nobody can remember when or how the tradition began!

Location: Wancheng Town, Wanning City

Dates: Lantern Festival (For exact dates, please check the Upcoming Events section)

Gongqi Festival

Gongqi, also known as Junpo Festival, is one of Hainan’s most important local folk celebrations. Different gods and historical figures are celebrated in different parts of the island, with parades, fireworks, sacrificial ceremonies, and even fire jumping, knife climbing, and other displays of courage. Although the celebrations are different in each town and village, they all have one aim - to ensure safety and prosperity for the coming year. 
Location: Small towns in the Wenchang area 文昌各村

Nanshan Longevity Festival

Living in Hainan is great for your health, and Hainan residents are some of the most long-lived in the world. The Nanshan Longevity Festival, held at Sanya’s Nanshan Temple Park (南山) celebrates Hainan's oldest men and women. At the festival, large photos of the elderly are put on display, awards are given to the oldest living Hainanese, and a mountain hike is held. There are seminars on longevity and contests with games and prizes for all, but the best part is getting to meet so many of these living history treasures of Hainan.

Dates: 9th day of the 9th lunar month

International Wedding Festival
 

Held in Sanya's Tianya Haijiao, aka “The End of the Earth,” (天涯海角) the International Wedding Celebration attracts couples from all over. Many participants have been married already for many years, and come to renew their vows or celebrate 10, 25, or even 50 years of marriage! Others are just starting out in their romantic journey. There is an opportunity for them to all say their vows at once, as well as many love-themed shows and activities to enjoy. Plus, it's a great place to get stunning wedding photos taken against the dramatic rock-strewn shore!

Dates: December

International Orchid Show
 

The Sanya International Orchid show is a visual feast, with thousands of elegant and colorful orchids on display. The delicate scent of orchids from around the world permeates the whole exhibition, and awards are given out for best orchid displays. An international orchid forum, flower arrangement competition, orchid performances, and lectures are also held. The show is celebrated in the Sanya Orchid World Cultural Tourism Zone (三亚兰花世界文化旅游区). 

Dates: December or January

Dragon Head Raising Festival

“On the second day of the second month in Chinese lunar calendar, the dragon is awaked, raising his head.” Babies and small children are often given haircuts to celebrate Dragon Head Raising Festival.

This traditional Chinese holiday is celebrated in style in Sanya’s Daxiao Dongtian Park (三亚大小洞天旅游区). A South Sea Blessing Ceremony, Dragon Dance, and other cultural exhibitions and temple fairs are held on this day. 

Dates: 2nd day of the second lunar month

Water Splashing Festival 嬉水节

Held in Baoting, the Water Splashing Festival begins with a ceremony in the center of town, and then erupts into pandemonium as the entire town plus hundreds of tourists all vie to soak each other with water. With squirt guns, dippers, and buckets, everyone is armed and there is no one left unsoaked during this chaotic water fight that lasts all day. It's a good idea to keep your valuables in a water-proof bag and have a dry change of clothes ready! Bathing suits are great attire, but beware of wearing anything that could be ruined or become see-through when wet.

Dates: 7th day of the seventh lunar month

Miao Sister Festival 苗家姐妹节

Celebrated at the Miao Village in the Doushui River Plain at the border of Wuzhishan and Baoting, the Miao Sister Festival is a romantic traditional holiday. Wearing their festival best, young men and women feast on Miao specialty dishes, sing romantic songs, play musical instruments, and dance together on the river bank.

Dates: 15th – 18th days of the third lunar month

Junpo Festival, Tunchang 屯昌军坡节
 

Junpo Festival is one of Central Hainan’s most important local folk celebrations. Different gods and historical figures are celebrated in different parts of the island, with parades, fireworks, sacrificial ceremonies, and even fire jumping, knife climbing, and other displays of courage. All of these celebrations aim to ensure safety and prosperity for the coming year.

Dates: Each town and village celebrates at a different time, starting from the Chinese New Year until the fourth lunar month.

Danzhou Mid-Autumn Singing Festival 儋州中秋歌节
 

Every year during Mid-Autumn Festival, the people of Danzhou wear traditional clothing and hold market fairs in all of the small towns and villages in the area. They hold folk song performances and competitions, and get together to enjoy the beauty of the full moon.

Dates: 15th day of the eighth lunar month

Danzhou Dragon Boat Festival 儋州端午节

The Dragon Boat Festival is a beloved tradition with a long history in the Danzhou area. The locals mainly depend on fishing for their living, and so the Dragon Boat Festival is especially important here! Wearing colorful traditional clothes, the whole population gets together on the shore to cheer on the dragon boats as they race for victory and glory.

Dates: 5th day of the fifth lunar month

Shanlan Festival 山兰节

The Shanlan Festival is a celebration of the harvest, and is celebrated every year with feasting, drinking Shanlan rice wine, song and dance. For the Li minority people, the Shanlan Festival is even more important than Spring Festival, and everyone gathers with their family, puts on beautiful traditional clothing, and joins in the joyful harvest celebration.

Dates: Dec. 16 - 18