Dali Festivals and Events

The March Fair of Bai Ethnic Minority in Dali

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

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

Keep Reading

Dragon Worship (Jilong) Festival of Yi Ethnic Minority

Dragon Worship (Jilong) Festival of Yi Ethnic Minority

Chinese Name:彝族祭龙节 English Name: Dragon Worship (Jilong) Festival of Yi Ethnic Minority...

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Mizhi Festival of Yi Ethnic Minority

Mizhi Festival of Yi Ethnic Minority

Chinese Name:彝族密枝节/祭密枝 English Name: Mizhi Festival of Yi Ethnic Minority 密枝节也叫“祭密枝”。彝族民间传统节日。密枝节 流行于滇南彝族地区。路南的撒尼人一般在农历十一月的头一个属鼠日到属马日举行,历时七天。节日前一天,民间祭祀神职人员要把密林中的祭祀场地打扫干净,在神树下布置好神坛和神门。节日的第一天,天刚亮,祭祀人员在总管见集中,然后相司扛一根竹竿在前面领路,毕摩摇着神铃跟在其后,大队人员携带家什、食物,赶着牲畜走在最后。进入密林中的祭祀场地后,人们开始忙碌起来,有的杀牲,有的烧火做饭……饭前举行祭神仪式,祭祀以村寨为单位,人们跪在神坛前,由毕摩念经祈求神灵保佑寨子里的人平安。祭拜神灵后,人们要吃祭饭。下午,在林中摔跤娱神。晚饭后,与神灵道别而归。在七天的祭祀活动中,人们不下地干活,男子可以上山打猎,妇女在家做针线活。第一天的祭祀最隆重。 习俗 彝族密枝节传统祭日将至时,石林彝族撒尼人村寨的男性村民就相聚在一起,推举出负责筹办密枝节的“密枝翁”,挑选出符合标准的男性参加祭神仪式。祭密枝神必有白色的绵羊或山羊,其次是白猪白鸡等色彩洁白的牲灵。规定的日子一到,准备充分的男性村民集聚到密枝林边,按密枝翁的分工,杀羊宰鸡,烧火做饭,开始祭奠活动。毕摩按古规带着挑选出来的男性村民进入密枝林,来到林中选定的神树下,把上一年放在树下的密枝神虔诚地抬进垫着青松毛的箩筐中,举行祭奠仪式后,抬到毕摩家中,用清水洗净,扎上新的彩色丝线,放在毕摩家中过夜,第二天又抬回林中神树下。 由于石林地区山多林多,居住地不同,对密枝神的说法也不相同。有的村寨说:两块象人形的石头代表男女两位密枝神,男的叫“普帕”,女的叫“普玛”,他们共同保护着全村人畜的平安;有的则说:密枝神是一位聪明美丽的姑娘,叫“密枝斯玛”。当天空突降大冰雹时,聪明的密枝斯玛就赶快把放牧的牛羊赶进密林,为撒尼人留下了牛羊。祭密枝是为了感谢密枝斯玛和密林;也有的说,密枝神是白狐狸,是一个追求婚姻自主而死的姑娘变成的。她住在密林中独居,不喜欢人畜打搅她平静的生活。无论哪一种解释,都认为密枝神住在密枝林中,保护着全村的平安。 密枝节祭神仪式后,抬出由男性动手做好的饭菜,由密枝翁平均分给在场的男人。男子汉们吃着自己动手做的饭菜,或说玩笑,或发泄心中的怨气。  特点 密枝节不允许女人参加 撒尼人的密枝节为什么不准许女性参加?有学者认为这是母系社会留下的痕迹。母系社会男性社会地位低下,男子汉们为表示自己存在的价值,就采取密林结社的方式,发泄内心的不满,求得情绪的平衡。过了密枝节回到现实生活中的男性,不在妇女面前说粗话脏话。 密枝节期间,毕摩带着男人们在村中边走边大声喊话,一问一答,批评村民中不守规、品德不好的人和事,起到了扶正压邪的作用,使彝家的良好民族风俗代代相传。 密枝节还组织撵山活动。全村男性分成几路,手持木棒火药枪,喊着叫着,冲向山林,向野兽发起攻击。撵山的战利品集中后,由密枝翁平均分割到个人。 男人过密枝节,妇女们在家中绣花做针线活,一般不出门出村,也不下地干活。 https://baike.baidu.com/item/密枝节/4124191?fr=aladdin...

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Bangbanghui Festival of Naxi Ethnic Minority

Bangbanghui Festival of Naxi Ethnic Minority

Chinese Name: 纳西族棒棒会/弥老会/米拉会 English Name: Bangbanghui Festival of Naxi Ethnic Minority 每年农历正月十五,是丽江纳西族的“棒棒会”。届时,丽江城内人流如潮,街道上摆满了交易的竹、木农具和果树、花卉等。棒棒会标志着春节活动的结束和春耕生产的开始。该会由“弥老会”演变而来,原是在寺院举行的庙会,清初改土归流后,赶会地点移到丽江古城内,并逐步发展成为准备春耕的竹木农具交易会,近年又增加了果树苗术、花卉盆景交易内容,赶会地点也从古城内移到新城区。除了正月十五县城的棒棒会外,还有正月二十的白沙农具交流会,纳西语叫白沙当美空普,意为“白沙大宝积宫开门”。这是明代以来延续下来的白沙大宝积宫、琉璃殿、大定阁等庙堂年一度开门,让人们烧香拜佛,后来演变为以农具交易为主的传统节日。交流会上,不仅农具种类齐全,而且小孩玩具及日用杂货应有尽有,所以俗话称”除了鸡鲁头之外,什么都能买到。 起源传说 关于棒棒会的起源: 一说起源与佛教有关。这天,木土司在玉皇阁请喇嘛念经,超度祖先亡灵。清朝雍正元年丽江一带改上归流后,农民、手工业者于此日在木土司官衙门前的街道上摆摊售货,以后又演变成以交流竹木农具为内容的集贸市场。 二说源于对木土司的反抗行动。传说古时纳西族地区木土司残暴统治,民不聊生,引起群众的不满,人们在正月十五操起棒棒在狮子山脚下古城四方街对木氏家族表示示威和抗议,形成棒棒会的习俗。节日这天,人们扛着马笼头、鸡笼、犁、耙、桶、锄等各种木制农具涌向丽江纳西族自治县大研镇进行交易。其中尤以用作斧把、锄把、镰把、锤把等的棒棒最多,故称棒棒会.棒棒会之后,春耕大忙即将开始。因此,棒棒会实际上是为春耕作准备的一次农具交易的盛会。每年农历正月十五,是丽江纳西族的“棒棒会”。 主要活动 每年农历正月十五于丽江玉皇阁举行。这天,当地喇嘛教徒朝庙念经,村民进香祭弥勒佛。清朝以后逐渐演变为农具及竹、木器交易会,因所交易的商品多锄把之类的棒状木器,帮称“棒棒会”。 届时,丽江城内人流如潮,街道上摆满了交易的竹、木、铁农具以及果树苗木、花卉等。棒棒会标志着着一年的春节活动的结束和春耕生产的开始。该会由“弥老会”演变而来,原是在寺院举行的庙会。 举办地点 每年农历正月十五的丽江棒棒会在丽江大研古城举行,届时,云南著名景点丽江大研古城区的昭庆花鸟市场、象山市场和香江花园市场等地人流如潮,街道上除了会摆满了交易的竹、木、铁农具以及果树苗木、花卉等琳琅满目的商品外,还有令人垂涎欲滴的各式各样的丽江小吃。...

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Water Splashing Festival of Achang Ethnic Minority

Water Splashing Festival of Achang Ethnic Minority

Introduction of the Festival Chinese Name:阿昌族泼水节 English Name: Water Splashing Festival of Achang Ethnic Minority The Water-Splashing Festival of the Achang people coincides with the Dai people’s Water-Splashing Festival...

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Ganbai Festival of Achang Ethnic Minority

Ganbai Festival of Achang Ethnic Minority

Introduction of the Festival Chinese Name:阿昌族赶摆 English Name: Ganbai Festival of Achang Ethnic Minority Achang Ethnic People’s religious festival, also known as the “Bazzar Festival,” is typically held once a...

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Festival of Fast-Breaking or Eid al-fitr of Hui Ethnic Minority

Festival of Fast-Breaking or Eid al-fitr of Hui Ethnic Minority

Overview Chinese Name: 回族肉孜节/开斋节 English Name: the Festival of Fast-Breaking or Eid al-fitr of Hui Ethnic Minority Eid al-Fitr, known as the Festival of Fast-Breaking, is one of the most...

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Corban (Zaisheng) Festival of Hui Ethnic Minority

Corban (Zaisheng) Festival of Hui Ethnic Minority

Overview Chinese Name:回族古尔邦节/宰牲节、献牲节、忠孝节、尔德节 English Name: Corban (Zaisheng) Festival of Hui Ethnic Minority The Corban Festival, also known as the Eid al-Adha or Zaisheng Festival, is one of the most...

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Haidenghui Festival of Qingsuo Village in Dali

Haidenghui Festival of Qingsuo Village in Dali

Basic Introduction Chinese Name: 海灯会 English Name: Haidenghui Festival Date: 15th July each year(Lunar Calendar) Haideng Festival is the biggest tradition prevailing in Qingsuo Village, Dali Prefecture, Yunnan. It’s names as “Haideng”...

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Shibaoshan Folk Song Festival of Bai Ethnic Minority in Jianchuan County, Dali

Shibaoshan Folk Song Festival of Bai Ethnic Minority in Jianchuan County, Dali

Basic Introduction Chinese Name:剑川县石宝山歌会 English Name: Shibaoshan Folk Song Festival of Bai Ethnic Minority in Jianchuan County, Dali Location: Jianchuan County, Dali According to historical records, the Shibaoshan Folk...

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Weishan Snack Festival in Weishan County, Dali

Weishan Snack Festival in Weishan County, Dali

Overview of The Festival Chinese Name:大理巍山小吃节 English Name: Weishan Snack Festival in Weishan County, Dali Location: Weishan County, Dali The Weishan Snack Festival is a feast for food lovers. Weishan...

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Binchuan County Entertainment

Binchuan County Entertainment

In Binchuan,if you want to spend your leisure time,don’t worry, you can findthe bars and clubs easily. Maybe you are not interesting in bar and clubs and do not want...

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Yangbi County Entertainment

Yangbi County Entertainment

If you want to spend your leisure time in Yangbi County,don’t worry, you can find the the bars and clubs easily in Nanjain County. Maybe you are not interesting...

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