- Categories:
- Special Interest
- Tags:
- CulturalCultural HolidaysLove
- Where:
- China
- Date change rule:
- 7th day of the 7th lunar month (late July–late August)
- Holiday emoji:
- 💖
Qixi Festival lights up the Chinese calendar on Wednesday, August 19, a day steeped in the ancient romantic fable of the weaver girl Zhinü and the cowherd Niulang. Also known as Chinese Valentine’s Day, it’s a time for lovers to exchange gifts, enjoy romantic dinners, and wish for happiness and prosperity. Join in the festivities by sharing your love story or indulging in traditional customs.
Want to sponsor Qixi Festival? Learn how
Expected Qixi Festival Deals
While we await official 2027 promotions, history shows that Qixi Festival inspires a wave of romantic deals and gift-giving. Luxury brands like Chow Tai Fook and Tiffany & Co. often feature special jewelry collections, while e-commerce giants like Alibaba and JD.com host extensive sales on fashion, electronics, and beauty products. Restaurants and hotels frequently offer romantic dining experiences and getaway packages. Expect florists and confectioners to see a surge in demand for themed gifts. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as August 7 approaches.
Platform Guide for Qixi Festival
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #QixiFestival. Share visually stunning photos of romantic gestures, traditional gifts, or couple’s activities.
TikTok
Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #QixiFestival. Create short videos showcasing Qixi traditions, gift unboxings, or recreating scenes from the Zhinü and Niulang fable.
Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #QixiFestival. Share articles about the festival’s history, organize virtual cultural events, or poll your community on their favorite romantic traditions.
Qixi Festival Hero
Zhinü and Niulang
History of Qixi Festival
The Qixi Festival has its roots in ancient Chinese folklore. The legend goes that Zhinü, a weaving girl from heaven, descended to earth and fell in love with a mortal named Niulang. They married each other without the knowledge of Zhinü’s mother, the Goddess of Heaven. Zhinü bore Niulang two beautiful children and lived happily until her mother learned of her transgressions, went into a rage, and sent soldiers to retrieve her. Zhinü went back to Heaven.
Sometime later, Niulang tried to rescue his wife, but the Goddess of Heaven took out her hairpin and created a massive river, thinking she had separated the lovers forever. However, Niulang and Zhinü’s love was stronger than she thought. It moved the magpies so much that they flew up to Heaven to form a bridge over the river.
Seeing the love between her child and a mortal man, the Goddess of Heaven allowed the lovers to meet on the magpie bridge on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month every year — and that’s how the Qixi Festival came into being.
According to several Chinese beliefs, the river represents the Milky Way, while Zhinü and Niulang represent the constellations of Vega and Altair. The festival was first recognized as a formal occasion during the Han Dynasty, over 2,600 years ago. Although it sounds romantic, the festival was not initially intended for lovers but for young girls to worship the weaving fairy and hone their skills at handcraft.
However, in modern times, people celebrate the day by gifting chocolates, flowers, and jewelry instead of following older customs.
Qixi Festival timeline
The first written record of the love story of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl appears in “The Classic of Poetry.”
The Qixi Festival originates in China during the Han Dynasty.
Chinese calligrapher, poet, and politician Du Mu wrote "An Autumn Night," a poem about the weaver and cowherd, during the Tang Dynasty.
The State Council of China added the Qi Xi Festival to the National Intangible Cultural Heritage list on May 20, 2015.
The China National Space Administration launches a relay satellite named ‘Queqiao’ or ‘Magpie Bridge.’
French luxury fashion house, Dior, launches the Qixi Dior Amour collection to promote the festival.
How Businesses Can Celebrate Qixi Festival
Local businesses can honor Qixi Festival by curating special romantic experiences and gift sets. Restaurants might offer themed menus for couples, while florists and gift shops can create Qixi-specific bundles. Retailers can promote products ideal for expressing love, such as jewelry, chocolates, or personalized items. Hosting cultural workshops or events that explain the festival’s rich history can also attract customers seeking to engage with the celebration.
Qixi Festival FAQs
When is Qixi Festival?
Qixi Festival 2026 falls on Wednesday, August 19, an annual celebration of love and romance rooted in Chinese folklore.
What is the romantic story behind Qixi Festival?
The festival’s origin lies in the tragic love story of Zhinü, a celestial weaver girl, and Niulang, a mortal cowherd. Separated by the Goddess of Heaven, they are allowed to reunite only once a year on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, crossing a bridge formed by magpies.
How many people celebrate Qixi Festival?
Millions of people, primarily in China and other East Asian countries, celebrate Qixi Festival. It’s a widely observed cultural holiday, especially among young couples and those who cherish traditional romantic customs.
Is Qixi Festival the same as Valentine's Day?
Often called ‘Chinese Valentine’s Day,’ Qixi Festival shares the theme of love and romance with Western Valentine’s Day. However, its origins are distinct, rooted in the ancient Chinese fable of Zhinü and Niulang, rather than Christian or Roman traditions.
Qixi Festival Activities
Practice a traditional custom
Traditionally, the Chinese prepare ‘qiaoguo’ or ‘fried, thin pastries’ created in different shapes in honor of the Qixi Festival. To celebrate the holiday, you could surprise your partner by making them a platter of love-shaped qiaoguo.
Get your sweetheart a gift
If you want to keep it simple, you can buy your sweetheart something they love. It could be a bouquet, a playlist of their favorite songs, or their favorite food. Even a small effort can make a huge difference!
Spend quality time with your partner
Nothing could be a better gift for your loved one than your time. Take time out to make your partner feel special. Go for a movie, plan a candle night dinner, or maybe do both while snuggled in the comfort of your home.
5 Interesting Facts About The Qixi Festival
Single women pray for a partner
During the Qixi Festival, single women pray for a suitable husband, while newly married ones pray for children.
It’s the inspiration for other festivals
The Qixi Festival is believed to have inspired other South Asian festivals like the Chilseok Festival in Korea, That Tich Festival in Vietnam, and Tanabata Festival in Japan.
It’s associated with weaving and handcrafting
During the Qixi Festival, Chinese girls start training in handcraft skills like weaving, embroidery, etc.
It prevents disasters
The Chinese decorate their homes with flowers and buffalo wards to ward off evil during the Qixi Festival.
Celebrations vary across China
Various places across China follow different traditions for celebrating the festival.
Why We Love Qixi Festival
It’s the day of expressing love
If you have someone you’ve liked for a while and haven’t had the guts to express your feelings, this holiday is the perfect occasion. Open your heart in the spirit of love, and who knows, you might find your one true love!
It offers the chance to learn about Chinese culture
Besides celebrating the festival with your special one, you also get an opportunity to observe interesting customs associated with it. When else would you get a chance to decorate your house with flowers, try making qiaoguo, or look for the Vega constellation in the night sky?
It allows us to try Chinese delicacies
While getting to know about Chinese culture, you also get to taste delicious dishes like dumplings, cloud noodles, rice sticks, and Qixi pastries. Who would say no to such good food?
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