Official Public Holidays and Non-Working Days in China in 2026
China’s official public holiday schedule for 2026 was released on November 4, 2025. According to the lunar calendar, Chinese New Year falls on February 17, which marks the start of the Year of the Horse. More specifically, 2026 is the Red Fire Horse year, a combination traditionally linked with energy, action, freedom, and independence.
In Chinese tradition, the Horse represents speed, ambition, and drive. People born in the Year of the Horse are often seen as active, confident, and full of initiative. The Red Fire Horse is believed to bring even more passion, courage, and momentum for new projects. Red is associated with luck and success, while the fire element stands for determination and creativity, which is why 2026 is often viewed as a favorable year for fresh starts and ambitious plans.
Official Non-Working Days in 2026
- January 1 – January 3: New Year Holiday (3 days). Make-up workday: January 4 (Sunday).
- February 15 – February 23: Spring Festival / Chinese New Year (9 days). Make-up workdays: February 14 (Saturday) and February 28 (Saturday).
- April 4 – April 6: Qingming Festival / Tomb-Sweeping Day (3 days).
- May 1 – May 5: Labor Day Holiday (5 days). Make-up workday: May 9 (Saturday).
- June 19 – June 21: Dragon Boat Festival (3 days).
- September 25 – September 27: Mid-Autumn Festival (3 days). Make-up workday: September 20 (Sunday).
- October 1 – October 7: National Day Holiday (7 days). Make-up workday: October 10 (Saturday).
In China, weekends are often used as make-up workdays to balance out longer holiday breaks. Most factories and suppliers shut down during the Spring Festival, so it’s important to plan orders and shipments well in advance.
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