Christmas in China: Exploring Festive Customs and City Lights

The Christmas spirit now reaches almost every corner of the globe. Whilst China is traditionally not a Christian nation, in recent years, it has begun to adopt the global festivities, leading to the creation of truly unique Christmas traditions in China. While the celebration differs vastly from Western norms, Chinese Christmas offers a vibrant and colourful experience for those visiting during the Christmas season.

Understanding the Chinese Christmas Landscape

Christmas in China isn’t a national holiday, and in rural parts of the country where Western or Christian influence is minimal, Christmas goes largely unnoticed.

However, in major metropolitan hubs such as Shanghai, Beijing, and Guangzhou, Christmas has evolved into a significant annual event. The celebration is mostly secular, focusing on social gatherings and gifting rather than the holiday’s religious meaning.

For Christians in China, Christmas is the most important day of the year, celebrated traditionally with church services and choir performances. Hong Kong, a former British territory, observes Christmas as a public holiday and celebrates the festive season enthusiastically.

China Traditions in Christmas: Lights, Markets, and Apples

With a large expatriate community and increasing globalisation, many festive elements have been adopted, forming distinct Christmas holiday traditions in China.

City Decorations and Santa Visits

From late November, the commercial districts of China's larger cities transform. Enormous, brightly decorated Christmas trees, dazzling lights, and music - often Chinese translations of classic Christmas songs - fill the shopping malls and department stores. These venues become bustling hubs, well-stocked with festive decorations for visitors and locals alike. You might even encounter a Santa Claus giving out small gifts to children - an example of a classic Christmas custom that’s been adopted in China.

Festive Markets

Visiting festive markets is one of the growing Chinese Christmas traditions. In cities like Shanghai, you can find authentic German-style markets, such as Paulaner’s Christkindlmarkt and Jing’an Christkindlmarkt, offering traditional European decorations, treats, and seasonal drinks. For a shopping experience with a local flair, Beijing's Hutong Winter Fayre offers classic market charm set within a traditional Chinese hutong neighbourhood.

The Gift of Apples

A unique and charming Chinese Christmas custom is the tradition of gifting apples on Christmas Eve. The Chinese word for apple, píngguo, sounds very similar to the word for peace in Mandarin. Since Christmas Eve is translated as 'Peaceful Evening' (Píng'ān yè), the fruit has become linked to the occasion. Apples are often sold wrapped beautifully or with messages like 'love' and 'peace' printed on the skin, making them a thoughtful, symbolic gift for loved ones.

Social Gatherings and Food in China on Christmas

While not a formal family holiday, Christmas is seen as a wonderful occasion for friends, couples, and relatives to enjoy time together. It’s also viewed as a romantic opportunity for couples to exchange tokens of affection and go on dates. People may meet up at a bar, a restaurant, a karaoke box, or even a fast-food establishment to celebrate Christmas together.

Chinese Christmas Dinner and Feasts

Chinese Christmas dinner is still an evolving tradition. In major cities, upscale hotels and restaurants cater heavily to expatriates and locals seeking a Western experience. They offer American-style food in China on Christmas, including turkey with all the trimmings, apple pie, and eggnog.

Additionally, Christmas Eve gala parties are an immensely popular part of the Christmas traditions in China. These events feature lavish feasts, live entertainment, and ‘lucky draws’ (raffles), providing a grand celebratory atmosphere that appeals to the local appetite for luxury and entertainment.

Bird’s Nest Ice and Snow Festival

For those seeking winter-themed activities, Beijing's former Olympic stadium, the Bird’s Nest, hosts the long-running Ice and Snow Festival (mid-December to mid-February). It offers perfect winter fun for the season, including ice skating, spectacular figure skating shows, snow mazes, and beautiful ice sculptures.

Discover China at Christmas

Visiting China during this time offers a truly unique cultural experience, blending traditional Chinese life with adopted festive flair.

Our guided tours to China from the UK are available over the Christmas season, allowing you to witness the twinkling lights and colourful displays of cities like Beijing and Shanghai. And as the festive period falls during China’s low season, popular destinations like the Great Wall of China can be explored with fewer crowds.

Experience this iconic destination for yourself on our Very Best of China and Essential China Escorted tours.