The following is a list of festivals celebrated in China. As a matter of fact, some of these festivals that originated there are celebrated in Singapore as well. 

1. Dragon Boat Festival

Dragon Boat Festival, known as 端午节 in Chinese, is a traditional holiday in China, taking place on the 5th day of the 5th month of China’s lunar calendar. The Chinese will have a day off on this day.

The main customs of the celebration include eating rice dumplings,Chinese mugwort, smoked herbs, and Chinese Angelica (白芷); drinking Realgar wine (雄黄酒), and of course, racing dragon boats. Dragon boat racing is no doubt the most popular tradition.

2. Mid-Autumn Festival

Chinese Moon Festival, known as 中秋节 in Chinese, is traditionally celebrated on the fifteenth day of the eighth lunisolar month, which is typically falls in September or October. Chinese people have a three-day holiday during this period of time.

The Mid-autumn festival is the second most important festival after the Spring Festival in the point of view of the Chinese people. Every year, when the festival comes about, people go home no matter where they are to meet their family and have dinner with them, admire the full moon and eat moon cakes.

3. Hungry Ghost Festival

The Hungry Ghost Festival is celebrated on the 15th day of the seventh lunar month. This day usually falls in July or August on the Western calendar. The Hungry Ghost Festival is one of several traditional festivals in China for people to worship ancestors. Others include the Spring Festival, the Qingming Festival, and the Double Ninth Festival. 

4. Double Ninth Festival 

The Double Ninth Festival, also known as Chongyang Festival, is held on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month.  It is also known as the Senior Citizens’ Festival. As “double ninth” is pronounced similar to the word meaning “forever” in Chinese, ancestors are worshipped on this day.

5. Qingming Festival

Qingming Festival, also called Tomb Sweeping Day or the Day of Pure Brightness in English, usually falls on April 4 or 5. Qingming (清明) is the second of the 24 solar terms on the traditional Chinese solar calendar. It is also a time for people to go outside and enjoy the of spring greenery. The commemoration of this day includes a three-day public holiday for the Chinese. 

6. China's Lantern Festival

The Lantern Festival is celebrated on the 15th day of the first Chinese lunar month. It is a festival that traditionally ends the Chinese New Year period. However, there is no public holiday for this day. 

7. Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year is a time for families to be together. No matter where they are, family members make time to come home to celebrate the festival with their loved ones.

The New Year's Eve dinner, called Reunion Dinner, is believed to be the most important meal of the year by the Chinese. Families sit around round tables to enjoy New Year delicacies and quality time together. This is the time when the longest public holiday in China takes place. The set of holidays for Chinese New Year can last up to 7 days. 

8. Winter Solstice

The Winter Solstice marks the longest night and the shortest day in the northern hemisphere, typically around the 21st of December on the Gregorian calendar. In China, the Winter Solstice was originally celebrated as an end-of-harvest festival. However, today, it is observed with a family reunion over the long night. Pink and white 'Soup Balls'(汤圆) are eaten in sweet broth to symbolize family unity and prosperity.

9. 24 Solar Terms

The 24 solar terms is based on the sun's position in the zodiac. They were created by farmers in ancient China to guide the agricultural affairs and farming activities. The 24 solar terms supposedly reflect the changes in climate, natural phenomena, agricultural production, and other aspects of human life, including clothing, food, housing, and transportation. The 24 solar terms play important roles and have influenced people's basic needs in life greatly. They still have an important part to play nowadays.

In Singapore, many of us that are of Chinese decent celebrate some of these festivals as well. This includes the Dragon Boat Festival and the Mid-Autumn Festival among others. However, out of all the Chinese Festivals that we celebrate, we only get a set of public holidays. This set of public holidays is set for Chinese New Year every year, a time that Singaporeans typically visit their relatives living both in Singapore and overseas. Even though we do not get public holidays on days that other Chinese festivals are celebrated, we still perform certain rituals to commemorate them. For example, during the period of Mid-Autumn Festival, we often eat moon cakes and carry paper lanterns around. Even though these festivals are not seen as that important in Singapore, I feel that it is important for us to remember our cultural roots of being Chinese and understand the traditional festivals that people of the same decent as us celebrate. 

Next, since we are traveling to Anhui for the upcoming OELP trip, it is also important to know some of the festivals celebrated there that are unique to their city. 

1. Mt Jiuhua Temple Fair

July, August

The Mt Jiuhua Temple fair is held each year for a month in Mt Jiuhua’s most beautiful spots. During the fair, various activities are organized. This includes enriching the tourism culture in the area. It is said that the temple fair has a more than 1000 years of history and is listed in the national cultural heritage China. 

2. The International Tourism Festival of Mt. Yellow

October, November

This tourism festival held on Mt Yellow includes activities such as consult meetings for tourism trade, activities to attract commodities and investment exhibitions. Tours of the Huizhou ancient architecture and Mt Yellow, performances of traditional folk customs and lantern gathering are just some of the other activities involved. 

3. The International Tourism Festival of Huangshan

October

This tourism festival is held each year in Huangshan City in October. The Huangshan Mountain, located in the East of China, is known for its scenic spots. This mountain is so beautiful and magnificent that it is a renowned tourist attraction. This tourism festival is popular among foreign and domestic tourists and has introduced Huangshan to tourists from practically the entire world.

4. The Chinese Festival of Flower 

September

The Chinese Festival of Flower that includes Drum Lanterns, Dance and Song is celebrated along with the Flower Drum Lantern Fair in the Anhui Province. This festival is about showcasing red and beautiful flower drum lanterns.

5. The Huainan Tofu Festival

September

The Huainan Tofu Festival is held each year in the Huainan City of the Anhui Province. Huainan is regarded as the birth place of beancurd or Tofu, hence the celebration of the festival and its name.

Sources of Information and References

Anhui Local Festivals - http://www.chinatravel.com/anhui/minorities-festival.htm

Chinese Traditional Festivals, Featured Chinese Festivals -  http://www.chinahighlights.com/festivals/traditional-festival/