If Memorial Day and Labor Day bookend Summer months on the American calendar, what holidays mark Summer for East Asian countries that follow the Chinese lunar calendar?
Memorial Day weekend often signals the opening of public pools and summer camps and activities, while Labor Day weekend signals the closing of public pools and other summer activities.
An outside BBQ usually celebrates both the beginning and the end of this outdoorsy season.
In East Asian countries where Chinese is used or where the Chinese lunar calendar is followed, there are two corresponding holidays that mark the beginning and end of the Summer season.
The Dragon Boat Festival or Duan Wu Jie (端午節) officially begins on June 3rd this year. This holiday celebrates the fifth month of the Lunar calendar that falls approximately in June on the Gregorian calendar. In many places around the world, dragon boat races are re-entering the water this year.
If you live in the Chicago area, visit Chinatown on June 24th where there will be a Dragon Boat Race for Literacy. Click here for more information.
Dragon Boat Festivals are more popular in the southern provinces in China than in the northern ones. Look for other Dragon Boat Race events near you and celebrate the return of warmer weather.
The Moon Festival or the Mid-Autumn Festival marks the end of the Summer season. Stay subscribed and learn more about this holiday when we get closer to September 29th.
