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
Prince Festival in Jianchuan County, Dali
Overview Chinese Name: 剑川县二月八太子会 English Name: Prince Festival in Jianchuan County, Dali Location: Jianchuan County, Dali Prefecture The Prince Festival, also known as the Wangzi Festival, is a significant...
Buddha Birthday Festival in Jianchuan County, Dali
Overview Chinese Name: 剑川县佛诞节/浴佛节 English Name: Buddha Birthday Festival in Jianchuan County, Dali Location: Jianchuan County, Dali Prefecture The Buddha Birthday Festival in Jianchuan County of Dali, is a...
Laba Festival in Jianchuan County, Dali
Overview of the Festival Chinese Name: 剑川县腊八节 English Name: Laba Festival in Jianchuan County, Dali Location: Jianchuan County, Dali The Laba Festival is a unique and traditional festival with...
Nirvana Festival in Jianchuan County, Dali
Overview Chinese Name: 剑川县涅槃节/涅槃会 English Name: Nirvana Festival in Jianchuan County, Dali Location: Jianchuan County, Dali Prefecture The Nirvana Festival, known as “Bai Shijie” or the “Festival of the...
Maitreya Assembly in Jianchuan County, Dali
Chinese Name: 剑川县弥勒会 English Name: Maitreya Assembly in Jianchuan County, Dali 正月一日，弥勒成佛日。 ...
Guanyin (Avalokiteśvara) Birthday Celebration in Jianchuan County, Dali
Chinese Name: 剑川县观音会 English Name: Guanyin (Avalokiteśvara) Birthday Celebration in Jianchuan County, Dali...
Yulanpen Festival in Jianchuan County, Dali
Overview Chinese Name: 剑川县盂兰盆节/中元节/目莲会 English Name: Yulanpen Festival in Jianchuan County, Dali Location: Jianchuan County, Dali Every year on the 15th day of the seventh lunar month is the...
Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Assembly in Jianchuan County, Dali
Chinese Name: 剑川县地藏法会或者普贤云供法会 English Name: Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Assembly in Jianchuan County, Dali Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Assembly usually is celebrated in Madeng Town of Jianchuan County, Dali 地藏会:夏历七月三日，地藏菩萨得道成佛日。...
Guozi Festival of Bai Ethnic Minority in Heqing County, Dali
Overview of the Festival Chinese Name:大理鹤庆县白族果子节 English Name: Guozi Festival of Bai Ethnic Minority in Heqing County, Dali Location: Heqing County, Dali Prefecture Time: the 16th day of the...
Shuahai Festival of Bai Ethnic Minority in Heqing County, Dali
Overveiw of the Festival Chinese Name: 鹤庆县耍海节 Englsih Name: Shuahai Festival of Bai Ethnic Minority in Heqing County, Dali Location: Heqing County, Dali Prefecture Heqing Caohai is truly a...
April 8th (Siyueba) Festival of Bai Ethnic Minority in Jianchuan County, Dali
Overview of the Festival Chinese Name: 剑川县弥沙乡弥井四月八农耕文化节 /盐神母会 English Name: April 8th (Siyueba) Festival of Bai Ethnic Minority in Jianchuan County, Dali Location: Jianchuan County, Dali Mi Jing is famous...
Shouhuo (Harvest) Festival of Lisu Ethnic Minority
Overview Chinese Name:傈僳族收获节 English Name: Shouhuo (Harvest) Festival of Lisu Ethnic Minority The Lisu Ethnic Group’s Harvest Festival is generally held in the ninth and tenth months of the...
