Sichuan Province is a land of multiple people including the traditional Han people, Amdo and Kham Tibetan People, Yi people and other ethnic people. Each has their own history and traditions of festivals and celebrations including the Temple Fairs in Chengdu area, Lantern Festivals of Zigong and Chengdu, Horse-racing Festival in Litang and Derge, Tibetan New Year Celebration including Molang Festival, Yi People’s Torch Festival.
The Yi Torch Festival is one of the most grand and important traditional festivals of the Yi ethnic group in China, mainly celebrated in Yunnan, Sichuan, Guizhou and other regions with a large Yi population. It usually falls on the 24th or 25th day of the sixth lunar month every year, lasting for three days. The festival has a long history and rich cultural connotations. Legend has it that it originated from the Yi people’s worship of fire, which they believe can drive away evil spirits, eliminate disasters and bring good luck. On the festival, people dress in bright traditional Yi costumes, with silver ornaments shining. In the evening, thousands of torches are lit, held high by people, forming a brilliant "fire dragon" that winds through villages and fields. Besides torch parades, there are many interesting activities, such as bullfighting, horse racing, singing and dancing. People sing folk songs, dance the traditional Yi dance, and share delicious food together. The festival is not only a time for the Yi people to gather and celebrate, but also a symbol of their unity, courage and longing for a better life. It has become a precious cultural heritage that showcases the unique customs and spirit of the Yi ethnic group.
Location: Yi Area including Liangshan Prefecture and Northeast Yunnan.
Season: every year by 24th or 25th day of the sixth lunar month, usually by late Jul or early Aug.
Zigong, a historic city in southern Sichuan, is renowned as China’s “City of Lanterns”. Its Zigong International Dinosaur Lantern Festival, a national intangible cultural heritage, is hailed as “the best lantern show under heaven”. With a history spanning over 800 years, the festival originated in the Tang and Song dynasties, thrived in the Ming and Qing dynasties, and evolved into a grand modern cultural event. Held annually from late January to late March at China Lantern World, a 550-acre themed park, it attracts millions of visitors worldwide. The festival features thousands of exquisite lantern groups blending traditional craftsmanship with modern technology. Crafted from silk, bamboo, porcelain and even recycled materials, the lanterns showcase diverse themes—ancient myths, Jurassic dinosaurs, traditional festivals and modern innovations. Highlights include lifelike dinosaur installations, mythical beast lanterns and stunning drone light shows. More than a visual feast, it serves as a cultural bridge. Since 1990, Zigong lanterns have been displayed in over 90 countries, promoting Chinese culture globally.
Location: Zhonghua Caideng Dashijie by Yandu Ave North, Daan District, Zigong City, Sichuan
Season: 18:00-23:00 every evening from late Jan til Mar, some years til Jun.
Litang, known as the “City in the Sky” in Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan, hosts the grand Horse Racing Festival, a provincial intangible cultural heritage with over 400 years of history. Traditionally held from July 29 to August 1 (main events) on the vast Maoya Grassland, it is also called the “August 1st Horse Fair”. As the highlight of Tibetan nomadic culture, it gathers Khampa Tibetans and tourists nationwide. The festival features thrilling horse races and breathtaking equestrian stunts—riders stand on horsebacks, pick up hada scarves at full gallop, or shoot targets while riding. Beyond races, there are traditional Tibetan operas, Xian Zi and Guo Zhuang dances, folk songs, and a lively trade fair for local specialties. A celebration of courage, heritage and unity, it showcases the bold spirit of the Khampa people and the charm of Tibetan culture, making it an iconic summer event on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.
Location: Litang Grassland
Season: late Jul to early Aug mainly (July 29 to August 1), has been suspended til 2020s gradually resumed.
The Dege Horse Racing Festival is a grand traditional event in Derge County, Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan. Usually held in August every year at various locations mainly on the grassland part by the north near Manigango. Local Tibetan herdsmen dress in splendid ethnic costumes and gather on the grassland. Exciting horse racing, equestrian performances and traditional folk dances are the main highlights. This is a lesser-known horse-racing festival place than the Litang one that usually attracts too many people, making the watching too far.
Location: various locations in Derge
Season: early Aug each year.
Tibetan New Year, known as Losar in Tibetan, is the most significant traditional festival for Tibetans, celebrated grandly in Tibetan areas such as Tibet, Qinghai, Sichuan and Yunnan. Falling on the first day of the first month of the Tibetan calendar (corresponding to late January to February in the Gregorian calendar, February 18 in 2026), it lasts about two weeks, with the first three days being the most important.
Weeks before the festival, Tibetan families start preparations: cleaning houses, making "qie ma" (a wooden container filled with grains for good harvest) and "kasai" (fried twisted dough sticks), and preparing butter sculptures and offerings for Buddha. On New Year’s Eve, families gather for a reunion dinner with "guthuk" (dough drops with symbolic fillings), and hold a ceremony to drive away bad luck.
On the first day, people get up early to fetch "auspicious water" at dawn, wear new traditional costumes, and worship Buddha at monasteries. They greet each other with "Tashi Delek" (good luck) and exchange hada, Qingke wine and gifts. In the following days, they visit relatives and friends, enjoy Tibetan operas, Guozhuang dances, and even horse racing and archery in pastoral areas, showing the bold spirit of Tibetans and the charm of Tibetan culture.
Location: Tibetan Monasteries, Nunneries, Villages
Season: first 2 weeks of Tibetan Lunar New Year (mid-late Jan to early Feb)
Shuabaizi is a popular traditional activity for Tibetans in Tibetan areas, usually held in warm seasons like summer and autumn. On sunny days, Tibetan families and friends gather on vast grasslands, spreading carpets, sharing food and highland barley wine. They sing folk songs, dance Guozhuang, play traditional games and chat happily. It is not only a way to relax and enjoy nature, but also a precious chance to strengthen family and friendship, showing the simple and optimistic life attitude of Tibetan people. This type of activity could be among family or among a village and usually seen in summer on more open grassland than mountain areas.
Location: Tibetan Areas with Grassland
Season: June - September
Monlam Festival, also known as the Great Prayer Festival in Tibetan, is a grand traditional religious festival with a history of over 600 years, originating in 1409 AD. Celebrated from the 3rd to the 17th day of the first lunar month in the Tibetan calendar, it is grandly held in Tibetan areas such as Aba County in Sichuan and Langmusi in Gannan. During the festival, Tibetan monks gather to recite scriptures and hold grand Buddhist ceremonies. The highlights include the "Golden Warrior Dance" (a sacred masked dance), Buddha exhibition (Shai Fo), and scripture debates. Local Tibetans dress in gorgeous ethnic costumes, gather at temples to worship, and throw "Long Da" to pray for peace and harvest. This include the famous “Buddha Display” in Langmusi and Kirti Monastery in Aba.
Location: Yi Area including Liangshan Prefecture and Northeast Yunnan.
Season: every year by 24th or 25th day of the sixth lunar month, usually by late Jul or early Aug.
The Yi Torch Festival is one of the most grand and important traditional festivals of the Yi ethnic group in China, mainly celebrated in Yunnan, Sichuan, Guizhou and other regions with a large Yi population. It usually falls on the 24th or 25th day of the sixth lunar month every year, lasting for three days. The festival has a long history and rich cultural connotations. Legend has it that it originated from the Yi people’s worship of fire, which they believe can drive away evil spirits, eliminate disasters and bring good luck. On the festival, people dress in bright traditional Yi costumes, with silver ornaments shining. In the evening, thousands of torches are lit, held high by people, forming a brilliant "fire dragon" that winds through villages and fields. Besides torch parades, there are many interesting activities, such as bullfighting, horse racing, singing and dancing. People sing folk songs, dance the traditional Yi dance, and share delicious food together. The festival is not only a time for the Yi people to gather and celebrate, but also a symbol of their unity, courage and longing for a better life. It has become a precious cultural heritage that showcases the unique customs and spirit of the Yi ethnic group.
Location: Various Monasteries in Aba and Gannan;
Season: 3rd to the 17th day of the first lunar month;
