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
Pinhuo Festival of Lisu Ethnic Minority in Xiangyun County, Dali
Chinese Name: 大理祥云县东山彝族乡傈僳族拼火节 English Name: Pinhuo Festival of Lisu Ethnic Minority in Xiangyun County, Dali Location: 祥云县东山彝族乡小庄子村委会老里么村 PinHuo Festival(拼火节) is held every year in Laolimo（老里么） Village, Xiaozhuangzi(小庄子) Village Committee, Dongshan（东山） Yi Nationality Township,...
Dragon Worship Festival of Lisu Ethnic Minority in Xiangyun County, Dali
Chinese Name:大理祥云县米甸镇傈僳族祭龙会 English Name: Dragon Worship Festival (Jilonghui) of Lisu Ethnic Minority in Xiangyun County, Dali Dragon Worship Festival in Xiangyun County is held in Lilame Village of Midian...
Kaishan Festival of Miao Ethnic Minority in Xiangyun County, Dali
With a history of hundreds of years, Kaishan Festival(开山节)is Miao ethnic minority’s traditional festival which is passed on from generation to generation. In 2016, Kaishan Festival was listed as...
Gndenghui Festival in Xiangyun County, Dali
Chinese Name:祥云县禾甸镇大营村白族赶灯会 English Name: Gndenghui Festival in Xiangyun County, Dali “正月赶灯会”是祥云县禾甸镇大营社区世代相传的一个传统节日，每年农历正月初十都会在大营庄自然村隆重举行，相传至今，已有上百年的历史。赶灯会是大营村民在长期农耕劳作和生活习俗中形成的以传统春节民间赶灯为主要内容，以民间传统歌、舞、乐、物质交流等为载体的一种民间传统文化活动。通过赶灯会，能为大营人民保清吉平安、风调雨顺、五谷丰登、六畜兴旺；能给参与赶灯会的游客带来一年的吉祥、平安和好运，正月赶灯会也成为民间融历史、文化、经济、艺术等相互交流的集会。“赶灯会”在恢复民族历史文化进程中得到传承发展，弘扬光大，一年比一年盛况空前，成为民族团结和谐的乐园。 时间：每年农历正月初十 地点：祥云县禾甸镇大营村...
New Rice Festival of Yi Ethnic Minority in Xiangyun County, Dali
Chinese Name:大理祥云县米甸镇自羌朗村彝族尝新节 English Name: Changxin Festival or New Rice Festival of Yi Ethnic Minority in Xiangyun County, Dali Location: Boluo Village of Ziqianglang Village of Midian Town in Xiangyun...
Qiren Festival of Lisu Ethnic Minority in Xiangyun County, Dali
Chinese Name: 大理祥云县祥城镇白龙潭村傈僳族七人节 English Name: Qiren Festival of Lisu Ethnic Minority in Xiangyun County, Dali Location: Bailongtan Village of Xiangcheng Town in Xiangyun County, Dali https://www.meipian.cn/18igjh4h...
Knife-ladder-climbing Festival of Lisu Ethnic Minority in Yangbi County, Dali
Chinese Name:大理漾濞县傈僳族爬刀杆 English Name: Knife-ladder-climbing Festival of Lisu Ethnic Minority in Yangbi County, Dali...
Torch Festival of Yi Ethnic Minority in Yangbi County, Dali
Chinese Name:大理漾濞县火把节 English Name: Torch Festival of Yi Ethnic Minority in Yangbi County, Dali...
Dage Festival of Yi Ethnic Minority in Yangbi County, Dali
Chinese Name:大理漾濞县鸡街歌会/彝族打歌会 English Name: Dage Festival of Yi Ethnic Minority in Yangbi County, Dali Date：每年农历三月十九 Location：大理州漾濞县鸡街乡新寨吉村 http://www.comedali.com/words/show/id/368...
Hungry Ghost Festival in Dali
Chinese Name:大理亡人节 English Name: Hungry Ghost Festival or Pchum Ben Day in Dali Location: 大理市银桥镇鹤阳村 杜文秀起义回民遇难纪念 https://www.sohu.com/a/59613771_115118...
Dragon Boat Race Festival in Dali
Chinese Name:大理海东镇赛龙船 English Name: Dragon Boat Race Festival in Dali 海东赛龙船始于唐代南诏国时期，源于火烧松明楼故事，逐步演变为赛龙船。赛龙船采用大型运输木船，船两侧画两条彩龙，划桨人员一般为１００人，船中央１人挥马尾帚，吹哨子，摇树枝升斗作指挥，各有１人击鼓鸣锣助威，掌舵３到４人，还有１唢呐手吹奏《赛龙船调》。赛龙船以村为单位，参赛船一般为８艘左右。 龙船赛（大理地区又称赛花船、赛龙船）是大理地区白族人民喜爱的体育活动之一。生活在洱海边上的白族人民，祖祖辈辈以打鱼、捞沙为主，渔船是他们的主要生产和交通工具。随着生产、生活的逐步发展，渐渐形成了村与村、户与户之间的划船比赛。相传早在南诏时期，大理洱海地区就已经出现龙舟赛。民国年间，大理地区的龙舟比赛都是自发性的，规模不大，且时断时续。中华民国成立后，中共中央和国务院十分重视民族民间体育活动的发展，大理把发展民族体育作为一项重要工作来抓，龙舟赛渐渐活跃起来。 每年的白族火把节（农历六月二十五日），大理海东一带都开展赛龙舟活动，赛船为打鱼、运输用的大船，船身长10多米，宽2—3米。船头画二龙抢宝，象征追求光明、前程锦绣；船身画彩云浪花，象征乘风破浪、一帆风顺；船尾画莲花，象征神佛保佑、年年平安。船上挂有彩旗，桅杆上扎着升斗，象征风调雨顺、四季平安、五谷丰登。整条赛船披红挂绿，当地白族又称之为花船。 比赛前，船中央立一棵小松树或柳树，一老者一手扶树枝，一手持牛尾，旁边有一人吹唢呐；船尾挂一大锣，锣手多由舵手兼任；每条船内有数十名青壮年划手，手持长桨。一声炮响后，比赛开始，划手们在手持牛尾者和锣声指挥下，举桨齐划。比赛以先到终点者为胜。船到终点后，鸣炮庆贺，坐在指挥船上观看的长者向得胜者敬酒。龙船赛一般以村为单位参加，参赛队员上千人，观众上万人。 龙船赛于2010年6月被大理市人民政府公布为第二批市级非物质文化遗产名录。...
Jianhu Lake Encircling Festival in Jianchuan County, Dali
Chinese Name:大理剑川县剑湖绕海会 English Name: Jianhu Lake Encircling Festival in Jianchuan County, Dali “绕海会”流行于剑川县剑湖之滨的白族乡村，每年农历六月十五日，剑川坝子里的白族青年男女，天一亮就起身背上干粮、香袋，沿着湖边的村庄游览，逢庙烧香磕头，环绕剑湖一周。传说，这是为了悼念大理国与元朝交战时阵亡的十八员大将。这些大将战死后被元兵丢入湖中。后来被群众打捞上岸埋葬，并将他们一一奉为各村的本主，雕刻神像，立庙供奉。相传，六月十五日就是这些大将战死的忌日，人们绕海一周到各村本主庙里朝拜的便是这些阵亡将士。...
