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
Torch Festival in Weishan County, Dali
Chinese Name:大理巍山彝族火把节 English Name: Torch Festival in Weishan County, Dali 据有关史料载，彝族的火把节原为六月二十四日，后来演变为二十五日。城区四周的彝族村庄，在村边路口竖大火把，各家各户在门前竖小火把，火把顶为升斗形纸扎的“火把头”，整个火把四周挂满火把梨及糖果，“火把头”和插在火把间的小彩旗上写着“清吉平安”、“风调雨顺”、“六畜兴旺”、“人寿年丰”、“四季发财”等吉祥语。家中杀鸡宰羊，备办丰盛的饭菜，祭献祖先，嫁出的女儿必须要回娘家过节。晚上，家家燃放鞭炮、焰火，点燃火把，各村山寨火光闪闪。人们举着小火把，见人就往双脚下撒松香面，火焰“突”地向上腾起，表示向对方祝福。家里四周也撒小火把，意为驱走邪魔鬼怪，全家老小可以免灾除病。然后，全村人手拿火把，成群结队到田间地头，烧火把，撒香面，祈求丰收，有的村寨打歌打到天明。 县城西边山区，火把节早上，由男子带着米，到固定地点，祭献密枯神，有的在火把节第二天祭密枯神。主要仪式有：家户主基本到齐后，彝族阿毕用三枝松叉插在地上，摆上三牲、茶、酒，当场杀一头猪，将猪头供在松叉前，点香生献，阿毕念“密枯”经。献后，猪肉、猪血煮稀饭，煮好稀饭后再熟献，阿毕念经，其内容大意为：“请地脉龙王保佑，全村山、地、村庄切勿坍塌，免遭冰雹风灾，山长万物，地长五谷，人寿年丰……”。祭毕，大伙吃一碗饭，并把剩余的猪肉、稀饭分发给各户，带回家中吃。 下午，各家杀鸡，有的宰羊，祭献祖先。天黑后，人们在家中点燃小火把，烧端午节时系在手、脚上的五色线，从屋内到房前屋后，再到田边地角，都用小火把撒松香面，意为赶走妖魔鬼怪，烧死瘟疫、病虫，预祝人寿年丰。大部分彝族村寨，都在村头东路口竖大火把，火把杆上挂一羊头，现在已基本上只插“火把头”和彩旗。火把节的由来，各地说法不一。有追走“白王”、祭祀“密枯”、驱魔避邪等多种传说。如今，火把节已成为全县各族人民传统的民族佳节。...
Mawlid Festival of Hui Ethnic People in Weishan County, Dali
Chinese Name:大理巍山回族圣纪节 English Name: Mawlid Festival of Hui Ethnic People in Weishan County, Dali 伊斯兰教历3月12日举行，是伊斯兰教先知穆圣诞生日，也是穆圣的逝世日。这是中国穆斯林普遍的重大节日，也是巍山回族人民重大节日。巍山共有22个回族村，现基本在每年公历3月内各回族村先后举行“圣纪节”，民间也叫做圣纪。 “圣纪节”举行纪念仪式，鼓励人们立志继承穆圣遗志。因此要讲述圣言、圣行、圣史等“瓦尔兹”。巍山有的回族村开展着经堂教育，如遇经堂学生毕业，还在这一天为学生们举行“穿衣”仪式，即毕业典礼。遇到经堂学生毕业，“圣纪节”更为热闹。现在年轻人还在节日期间举行体育活动，如篮球赛等。...
Eid al-Fitr Festival of Hui Ethnic People in Weishan County, Dali
Chinese Name:大理巍山回族开斋节 English Name: Eid al-Fitr Festival of Hui Ethnic People in Weishan County, Dali 巍山回族民间称之为大尔德，于伊斯兰教历10月初举行。巍山通过公历与伊斯兰教历换算，月份按公历每三年一变，日期基本为中国农历初三。一年一度斋月结束，开斋这一天举行大规模庆典表示庆祝，这一天家家户户热气腾腾，举家欢庆，人人穿着节日的盛装，五彩缤纷，清真寺里喜气洋洋，一片欢腾。巍山回族有“千里路赶尔德”之说，在外的人无论在天南海北，都要赶回来和村人共度佳节。早晨日上一竿，男女老少都到清真寺里，男的参加会礼，仪式隆重，庆典讲究，充满着欢快而肃穆的气氛。会礼结束，以家族为单位，男的到山上各家的坟地游坟。游坟结束，举行团拜，在清真寺念经学生们要到教长、阿訇、梧梭家里“拜开斋”，已经从清真寺毕业回家的学生们也要返回海弯德（供其念经的人家）家拜开斋，接着女婿、姑娘也要一同返家拜开斋。节日活动内容丰富，有诵《古兰经》、会礼、游坟、团拜、回海弯德家拜开斋、回娘家拜开斋等。在巍山，回娘家拜开斋这一活动非常热烈。开斋节这一天，巍山永建回族村庄的各条路上，人来人往，车水马龙，节日气氛尤其热烈。...
Eid al-Adha Festival of Hui Ethnic Minority in Weishan County, Dali
Chinese Name:大理巍山县回族古尔邦节 English Name: Eid al-Adha Festival of Hui Ethnic Minority in Weishan County, Dali 斯兰教历12月10日举行。是朝觐大朝日期，各地穆斯林也依朝觐规程举行庆祝大典，巍山回族也如开斋节一样热烈庆祝，在会礼结束后，有条件准备宰牲的人家，开始宰牛或羊，这是易卜拉欣大圣父子，为实践善念取主喜悦在动手宰儿时天使奉命以羊代献牲，象征矢志为主道作出必要牺牲的决心。所宰牛羊不是自己单独享用，必须大部分施散给亲戚和贫困人家。...
Dage Dance of Yi Ethnic Minority
Chinese Name: 彝族打歌 English Name: Dage Dance of Yi Ethnic Minority http://www.ynich.cn/view-ml-11111-1137.html...
Torch Festival of Yi Ethnic Minority in Nanjian County, Dali
Chinese Name: 南涧县彝族火把节 English Name: Torch Festival of Yi Ethnic Minority in Nanjian County, Dali...
Wuliangshan Mountain Cherry Blossom Festival in Nanjian County, Dali
Wuliangshan Mountain Cherry Blossom Festival They are open from late November to mid-December every winter, and the flowering period lasts for about 25 days. Therefore, people who want to...
Tiaocai Dance Art Festival in Nanjian County, Dali
Chinese Name: 南涧县跳菜艺术节 English Name: Tiaocai Dance Art Festival in Nanjian County, Dali http://www.sohu.com/a/206464268_660239 http://www.chinadevelopment.com.cn/news/zj/2017/12/1200546.shtml...
Ghost Festival in Nanjian County, Dali
Chinese Name: 南涧县鬼节/七月半/月半节/中元节/盂兰盆节 English Name: Ghost Festival in Nanjian County, Dali The Ghost Festival, also known as the Hungry Ghost Festival, Zhongyuan Jie, Gui Jie or Yulan Festival is a traditional...
Sangwang Festival of Yi Ethnic Minority in Nanjian County, Dali
Chinese Name:大理南涧县无量山桑王节 English Name: Sangwang Festival of Yi Ethnic Minority in Nanjian County, Dali http://www.zgnj.gov.cn/dlnjwg/1154619150560133120/20161026/48260.html...
Ancient Iron Pillar Worship and Dage Festival in Midu County, Dali
Chinese Name:弥渡县千年铁柱踏歌会 English Name: Ancient Iron Pillar Worship and Dage Festival in Midu County, Dali Ancient Iron Pillar Worship and Dage Festival is held in Midu County, local Yi ethnic...
Tailaoye Festival in Xiangyun County, Dali
Chinese Name:大理祥云县抬老爷 English Name:Tailaoye Festival in Xiangyun County, Dali Location: 大理祥云县下庄镇刘营村/云南驿镇左所村、右所村、前所村 每年农历七月十五在祥云县下庄镇、云南驿镇等地都会隆重举行民俗节庆活动“抬老爷”。相传至今，已有上百年的历史。“抬老爷”包涵着洞经古乐、剪纸、纸扎、竹编、草扎等丰富多彩的传统文化内容，通过活动教化后人，与人为善；懂得感恩，知恩图报，传递社会正能量。整个活动古老而不俗气，盛大而不迷信，具有浓厚的地域特色。2017年被祥云县人民政府公布为县级非物质文化遗产保护名录。 时间：每年农历七月十五 http://yn.people.com.cn/n2/2016/0819/c372451-28861875.html...
