China Brings Magic to the Holiday Season with Unmissable Celebrations in Urumqi, Kunming, Xiamen, Ningbo, Changsha and Beyond Lighting Up Christmas and New Year

Published on December 17, 2025

China brings magic to the holiday season with unmissable celebrations across cities like Urumqi, Kunming, Xiamen, Ningbo, Changsha, and beyond, where a perfect blend of Western and traditional Chinese holiday elements fills the air with festive cheer. Travelers from all over the world are drawn to these cities because of their amazing lantern festivals, brilliant fireworks displays, Christmas markets, and cultural events. Every location offers a distinct charm to celebrate Christmas and the New Year in style, whether you’re taking in the lively lantern displays in Ningbo or exploring the coastal beauty of Xiamen.

As the holiday season approaches, China’s major cities come alive with vibrant decorations, enchanting lights, and festive cheer. Christmas might not be an official holiday in China, but it’s widely celebrated across major urban areas. The holiday season offers a beautiful fusion of Western traditions with Chinese cultural elements, making it an exciting time to visit some of China’s top destinations. Cities like Urumqi, Kunming, Xiamen, Ningbo, Changsha, and others are bustling with celebrations from late December into the New Year and beyond. Let’s dive into what makes these cities uniquely special during this festive time.

Xiamen – A Coastal Wonderland with Christmas Cheer

Xiamen, located on China’s southeast coast, is a city of cultural charm, where the holiday spirit combines with coastal beauty. The city’s mild winter weather is perfect for exploring the festive lights, markets, and cultural events.

Christmas Eve on Gulangyu Island

Gulangyu Island, a popular tourist spot, is known for its historical architecture and scenic views. During the holiday season, the island transforms into a winter wonderland with sparkling Christmas lights adorning the streets. On Christmas Eve, visitors can enjoy a rare experience: artificial snow falling over the cobblestone paths of the island, creating a picturesque scene. Zhongshan Road, another bustling area, is beautifully illuminated with Christmas decorations and is perfect for holiday shopping.

Fantawild Resort’s Fantasy Ice and Snow Festival

For a more festive adventure, head to Fantawild Resort, which hosts its Fantasy Ice and Snow Festival from November 29, 2025, to January 3, 2026. This event is a highlight of Xiamen’s holiday calendar, featuring incredible fireworks displays, drone shows, and winter-themed rides. This festival offers a family-friendly experience with parades, winter markets, and the opportunity to see million-dollar fireworks light up the skies over Fantawild Resort.

Ningbo – Lantern Festivals and Holiday Markets

Ningbo, a city on China’s eastern coast, celebrates the festive season with its signature lantern festivals and cultural performances. The city beautifully combines traditional Chinese elements with Western holiday traditions.

The Ningbo Lantern Festival at Botanical Garden

The Ningbo Lantern Festival at the Botanical Garden is a spectacular event that kicks off on December 28, 2024. The festival features thousands of stunning lanterns, many inspired by traditional Chinese folklore. Visitors can walk through the park’s winding paths, where the lanterns illuminate the night in a dazzling array of colors. This event continues until February 2025, overlapping with the Spring Festival celebrations.

Christmas Markets and Performances

Ningbo also hosts vibrant Christmas markets during the holiday season. These markets, especially around Ningbo Center, feature festive treats, international gifts, and live performances. Notably, Broadway’s Chicago will be performed from December 12-15, 2024, bringing a touch of Western holiday spirit to the celebrations. The New Year’s Eve gatherings at Ningbo Center are a lively affair, with street lights, festive countdown events, and a cheerful atmosphere that adds to the holiday joy.

Kunming – A City of Scenic Splendor and Immersive Experiences

Located in the Yunnan Province, Kunming enjoys a pleasant climate year-round, making it an ideal destination for holiday travel. The city’s combination of scenic beauty, cultural history, and vibrant holiday celebrations makes it a great place to spend the festive season.

New Year’s Eve at Western Hills

On New Year’s Eve, head to Western Hills, where visitors can enjoy panoramic views of Kunming beneath a starlit sky. The city’s lights twinkle below, creating a magical atmosphere as the countdown to the New Year begins. The tour of Western Hills offers breathtaking views of the city, making it a unique way to ring in the New Year.

Dianchi Moonlight Night Immersive Water Theater

For something truly unforgettable, Kunming’s Dianchi Moonlight Night immersive water theater is an experience you can’t miss. This show blends traditional Chinese performances with cutting-edge visual effects, all set against the serene backdrop of Dianchi Lake. The combination of culture and modern technology creates an awe-inspiring atmosphere that draws visitors from all over the world.

Additionally, Guandu Ancient Town hosts water-splashing events and cultural performances, giving visitors a taste of Kunming’s traditional holiday celebrations.

Wuxi – The City of Fire Dragon Celebrations

Wuxi, located in the Jiangsu Province, is known for its fire dragon celebrations and lantern festivals during the New Year period. The city’s Nianhua Bay Zen Town offers some of the most visually captivating holiday events in China.

Daily Fire Dragon Fireworks

In Nianhua Bay Zen Town, visitors can witness daily 100-meter Fire Dragon fireworks, a spectacular display of fire and light that has become a signature feature of Wuxi’s New Year celebrations. The fireworks are accompanied by drone shows, lantern parades, and other Zen-inspired performances that create a serene yet festive atmosphere.

Winter Bazaars and Holiday Markets

The central areas of Wuxi come alive with winter bazaars and holiday markets, offering local crafts, festive foods, and souvenirs. These markets provide a perfect opportunity for visitors to experience the local culture while enjoying the holiday cheer. As New Year’s Eve approaches, visitors can join the countdown festivities with music, lights, and performances held across Jiangsu Province.

Changsha – A City of Lanterns and Festivities

Changsha, located in Hunan Province, offers a rich blend of traditional Chinese celebrations and modern holiday festivities. The city hosts a variety of events, including lantern shows, temple fairs, and New Year carnivals.

Jinggang Ancient Town New Year’s Fair

In Jinggang Ancient Town, visitors can explore the New Year’s Fair, which features a mix of temple activities, folk games, and river lantern releases. This event allows visitors to engage with Changsha’s traditional culture while enjoying the festive atmosphere. The Dawang Mountain area hosts New Year’s Eve carnivals and concerts, where visitors can enjoy song-dance performances, exhibitions, and fireworks as the city celebrates the arrival of the New Year.

Changsha’s New Year Lantern Festival

The 2025 New Year Lantern Festival in Changsha features vibrant lantern displays, cultural shows, and live performances. The lanterns, illuminated in the shape of various traditional and mythical creatures, create an enchanting environment for visitors.

Urumqi – A Winter Wonderland in the Far North

Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang, is located in the far west of China and offers an entirely different kind of holiday experience with its cold winter weather and traditional celebrations.

Shanshan Outlets: People’s Village Evening

One of the highlights of Urumqi’s winter celebrations is the People’s Village Evening event at the Shanshan Outlets. Here, visitors can enjoy shehuo performances, traditional song and dance, and couplet writing. This is a unique way to experience Spring Festival traditions while exploring the city’s holiday offerings.

Snow and Winter Activities

Urumqi is a winter wonderland, with snow-related activities starting in late December. The city offers snow activities, including ice sculptures, winter performances, and opportunities for family outings during the 2025–2026 snow season.

Taiyuan and Shijiazhuang – A Journey Through Northern China’s Holiday Traditions

Both Taiyuan and Shijiazhuang embrace the traditions of northern China with lantern shows, temple fairs, and light festivals.

Taiyuan’s Lantern Shows

In Taiyuan, the Ancient County hosts a series of spectacular lantern shows that continue into early 2025. These colorful lantern displays light up the night, creating a festive atmosphere for all ages.

Shijiazhuang Christmas Markets and Family Outings

Shijiazhuang is known for its Christmas markets, where families can enjoy holiday stalls, lights, and festive foods. The city’s New Year’s Eve countdown at Shijiazhuang TV Tower offers stunning views of the city, making it a memorable way to start the new year.

Fuzhou and Jinan – A Fusion of Traditional and Modern Celebrations

Fuzhou and Jinan offer a blend of traditional performances, fireworks, and metaverse experiences during the holiday season.

Fuzhou’s New Year Cultural Tourism Month

Fuzhou launches its New Year Cultural Tourism Month, featuring traditional lion dances and metaverse experiences in the Three Lanes and Seven Alleys area. This combination of old and new provides a fresh perspective on holiday celebrations.

Jinan’s Baotu Spring Lantern Festival

In Jinan, the Baotu Spring Lantern Festival spans multiple sites, including Daming Lake, with over 40 lantern groups. The vibrant lanterns create a magical atmosphere, while the Yellow River Bazaar Spring Festival market offers a chance to shop for holiday goods and experience traditional temple fair vibes.

China brings magic to the holiday season with unmissable celebrations in Urumqi, Kunming, Xiamen, Ningbo, Changsha, and beyond, where vibrant festivals, stunning lantern displays, and festive lights create unforgettable experiences. These cities seamlessly blend Western holiday cheer with traditional Chinese cultural elements, making them perfect destinations for celebrating Christmas and New Year.

From Xiamen’s sparkling Christmas lights to Kunming’s immersive water theater and Urumqi’s traditional performances, China’s cities offer a delightful blend of festive traditions and modern celebrations. Whether you’re visiting the lantern festivals of Ningbo, the fire dragon fireworks of Wuxi, or the vibrant parades in Changsha, the holiday season in China is sure to captivate you.

This winter season, explore the magic of China’s festive cities, and enjoy unforgettable celebrations that highlight the beauty of the country’s culture and the spirit of the season.