Dali Festivals and Events
Dali Festivals and Activities are very colorful and Dali is the best place to take a festival tour. There are 13 ethnic groups in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, namely, Han, Bai, Yi, Hui, Lisu, Miao, Naxi, Zhuang, Tibetan, Blang, Lahu, Achang, Dai and other ethnic groups. This part gives a brief introduction of festivals and activities in Dali, and tell travelers what to do when come to Dali.
Festivals in Dali
As the prominent ethnic minority inhabited in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, Bai Ethnic Minority created brilliant culture and customs, among which the unique traditional festivals of Bai people enjoy good fame and attract tourists home and abroad to visit.
Popular Festivals
- The Fishing Opening Festival
- Hungry Ghost Festival
- Dragon Boat Race Festival
- Xiaojizu Singing Festival
- March Street (Sanyuejie) Festival
- Raosanling Festival
Festivals by Regions in Dali
Dali City
| Date | Festival | Ethnic Minority |
| January 10 of Lunar Calendar | Benzhu Worship Festival | Bai |
| February | Flower Festival (Huazhaojie) | Bai |
| February 15 of Lunar Calendar | Tianfengshan Mountain Song Festival | Bai |
| March 15-21 of Lunar Calendar | March Street (Sanyuejie) Festival | Bai |
| April 24-25 of Lunar Calendar | Raosanling Festival | Bai |
Weishan County
| Date | Festival | Ethnic Minority |
| February of Lunar Calendar | Jiejingu Festival | Bai |
| February 8 of Lunar Calendar | Dage Festival of Yi Ethnic Minority | Yi |
| February 8 of Lunar Calendar | The Ancestor Worship Festival | Yi |
| February 8 of Lunar Calendar | Eryueba Festival | Yi |
| March 12 of Islamic Calendar | Mawlid Festival of Hui Ethnic People | Hui |
| March 12-18 | Weishan Snack Festival | Yi, Hui |
| March 29-April 1 | Maanshan Pear Blossom Festival | Yi |
| June 25 of Lunar Calendar | Torch Festival | Yi |
| July 15 of Lunar Calendar | Ghost Festival | Yi |
| September | Peasant Culture Festival | Yi |
| October of Islamic Calendar | Eid al-Fitr Festival of Hui Ethnic People | Hui |
| December of Islamic Calendar | Eid al-Adha Festival of Hui Ethnic Minority | Hui |
Nanjian County
| Date | Festival | Ethnic Minority |
| February 8 of Lunar Calendar | Yashen Festival | Yi |
| March | Tea-leaves Picking Festival | Yi |
| May 5 of Lunar Calendar | Sangwang Festival | Yi |
| May 5 of Lunar Calendar | Red Bayberry Festival | Yi |
| June 25 of Lunar Calendar | Torch Festival | Yi |
| July 15 of Lunar Calendar | Ghost Festival | / |
| November 25 | Wuliangshan Mountain Cherry Blossom Festival | / |
| November 25 | Tiaocai Dance Art Festival | / |
Jianchuan County
| Date | Festival | Ethnic Minority |
| January 15 of Lunar Calendar | Qingguniang Festival (Women’s Festival) | Bai |
| February 8 of Lunar Calendar | Prince Festival | Bai |
| February 15 of Lunar Calendar | Nirvana Festival | Bai |
| April 8 of Lunar Calendar | April 8th (Siyueba) Festival | Bai |
| April 8 of Lunar Calendar | Buddha Birthday Festival | Bai |
| June 15 of Lunar Calendar | Jianhu Lake Encircling Festival | Bai |
| July 15 of Lunar Calendar | Yulanpen Festival | Bai |
| July 27-August 1 of Lunar Calendar | Shibaoshan Folk Song Festival | Bai |
| December 18 of Lunar Calendar | Laba Festival | Bai |
Eryuan County
| Date | Festival | Ethnic Minority |
| January 14-18 of Lunar Calendar | Naochunwang Festival | Bai |
| March 12-26 | Cibihu Pear Blossom Festival | / |
| June 13 of Lunar Calendar | Qingyuan Cave Singing Festival | Bai |
| June 25 of Lunar Calendar | Haixihai Folk Song Festival | Bai |
| July 23 of Lunar Calendar | Haideng Lantern Festival | Bai |
| October of Islamic Calendar | Eid al-Fitr Festival of Hui Ethnic People | Hui |
Yangbi County
| Date | Festival | Ethnic Minority |
| February 8 of Lunar Calendar | Knife-ladder-climbing Festival | Lisu |
| March 19 of Lunar Calendar | Dage Festival | Yi |
| June 25 of Lunar Calendar | Torch Festival | Yi |
Yunlong County
| Date | Festival | Ethnic Minority |
| February 8 of Lunar Calendar | Bathing Festival | Bai |
| March 30-April 1 | Tianchi Lake Pear Blossom Festival | / |
| June 25 of Lunar Calendar | Torch Festival | Yi |
| December 20 | Kuoshi Festival | Lisu |
Activities in Dali
As a popular destination for visitors, Dali offers all kinds of recreational activities. You can always find the activities full of fun, which can kick back and indulge yourself in the happy atmosphere. Come to Dali, and take part in Dali Activities.
| Date | Activity | Location |
| Every Monday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m | Shaping Monday Market in Dali | Dali City |
| Every Friday | Shaxi Friday Market | Jianchuan County, Dali |
| January 25 | Dali International Orchid and Camellia Fair | Dali City |
| January 9 of Lunar Calendar | Dragon Lantern (Longdenghui) Festival | Nanjian County, Dali |
| February 15 of Lunar Calendar | Sanying Agricultural Products Exchange Fair | Eryuan County, Dali |
| February 19 of Lunar Calendar | Guanyin Temple Fiar | Dali City |
| March 3 of Lunar Calendar | Xiaojizu Singing Festival | Dali City |
| March 20 of Lunar Calendar | Lingbaoshan Mountain Pilgrimage | Nanjian County, Dali |
| May of Lunar Calendar | Transplanting Rice Competition | Eryuan County, Dali |
| July 3 of Lunar Calendar | Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Assembly | Jianchuan County, Dali |
| August | Mule and Horse Trade Fair (August Fair) | Jianchuan County, Dali |
| August 15-21 of Lunar Calendar | Bajie Agricultural Products Exchange Fair | Eryuan County, Dali |
Dali Minority Festival Tours
- 5 Days Wa Ethnic Minority’s New Rice Festival Tour
- 6 Days Kunming and Chuxiong Torch Festival Celebration Tour
- 17 Days Yunnan Ethnic Minorities Festivals Tour around Chinese New Year
Keep Reading
- Baoshan Festivals and Activities
- Chuxiong Festivals and Activities
- Kunming Festivals and Activities
- Dehong Festivals and Activities
- Diqing Festivals and Activities
- Honghe Festivals and Activities
- Lijiang Festivals and Activities
- Lincang Festivals and Activities
- Nujiang Festivals and Activities
- Pu'er Festivals and Activities
- Qujing Festivals and Activities
- Wenshan Festivals and Activities
- Xishuangbanna Festivals and Activities
- Yuxi Festivals and Activities
- Zhaotong Festivals and Activities
Bathing Festival in Caojian Town of Yunlong County, Dali
Chinese Name:大理云龙县漕涧镇二八澡潭会 English Name: Bathing Festival in Caojian Town of Yunlong County, Dali During the “Er·Ba Bathing Festival Arts Performance and Recognition Ceremony” held in the morning, the Party Committee...
The Ancestor Worship Festival of Yi Ethnic Minority in Weishan County, Dali
Chinese Name:巍山彝族祭祖节 English Name: The Ancestor Worship Festival of Yi Ethnic Minority in Weishan County, Dali The Yi people’s Ancestor Worship Festival in Weishan County, celebrated on February 8th,...
Sanduo Festival of Naxi Ethnic Minority in Lijiang
Chinese Name:纳西族三朵节/北岳庙会 English Name: Sanduo Festival of Naxi Ethnic Minority Date: lunar 8 February (19 March) Places to celebrate Sanduo Festival in Lijiang: (1)-Sanduoge Temple (also named Beiyue Temple)...
March Street (Sanyuejie) Festival of Bai Ethnic Minority in Dali
Chinese Name:大理白族三月街 English Name: March Street (Sanyuejie) Festival of Bai Ethnic Minority in Dali The March Street Festival, known as Sanyuejie, is one of the most significant traditional celebrations...
Dragon Lantern (Longdenghui) Festival of Yi Ethnic Minority in Nanjian County, Dali
Chinese Name:南涧彝族龙灯会 English Name: Dragon Lantern (Longdenghui) Festival of Yi Ethnic Minority in Nanjian County, Dali The Lantern Festival on the ninth day of the first lunar month is an...
Heaven Worshipping Ceremony of Naxi Ethnic Minority
Chinese Name:纳西族祭天 English Name: Heaven Worshipping Ceremony of Naxi Ethnic Minority in Lijiang On August 15, the fifth day of the seventh month in the lunar calendar, which is...
Dongba Gathering of Naxi Ethnic Minority
Chinese Name: 纳西族东巴集会 English Name: Dongba Gathering of Naxi Ethnic Minority in Lijiang...
The Walnut Festival in Yangbi County, Dali
Basic Introduction Chinese Name: 漾濞县核桃节 English Name: The Walnut Festivalue in Yangbi County, Dali Date: Annual September Location: Guangming Village, Yangbi County, Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture The month-long festival...
Lantern Festival (Huadengjie) in Midu County, Dali
Overview of The Festival Chinese Name: 弥渡县花灯节 English Name: Lantern Festival (Huadengjie) in Midu County, Dali Location: 弥渡县密祉镇/Mizi Township, Midu County, Dali Prefecture, Yunnan. Date : Every year on the...
The Fishing Opening Festival of Erhai Lake in Dali
Overview Chinese Name:大理洱海开海节 English Name: The Fishing Opening Festival of Erhai Lake in Dali Location: Dali The Erhai Lake Fishing Opening Festival in Dali, Yunnan, is a traditional festival...
Lantern Festival of Naxi Ethnic Minority
Chinese Name: 纳西族新春灯会 English Name: Lantern Festival of Naxi Ethnic Minority...
Aluwoluo Festival of Achang Ethnic Minority
Chinese Name: 阿昌族阿露窝罗节 English Name: Aluwoluo Festival of Achang Ethnic Minority Achang is a unique ethnic group with a small population in Yunnan province. It is mainly distributed in...
