When Is Chinese Valentine’s Day 2025?
Valentine’s Day isn’t just February 14, China celebrates its own “love holiday,” the Qixi Festival, each year according to the lunar calendar. If you’ve ever wondered when is Chinese Valentine’s Day in 2025, what the Qixi Festival date is, or why do Chinese celebrate Valentine’s Day twice, you’re in the right place. In this deep-dive blog, we’ll cover what is Chinese Valentine’s Day, its legendary Chinese Valentine’s Day history, Qixi Festival meaning, and plenty of ideas for how to celebrate Qixi Festival complete with rose bouquet ideas for Qixi Festival and other best gifts for Chinese Valentine’s Day.
Let’s fall in love with the traditions of China’s most romantic holiday!
What Is Chinese Valentine’s Day?
Chinese Valentine’s Day, also known as the Qixi Festival or the Double Seventh Festival, is a centuries-old celebration rooted in folklore.
Unlike the Western holiday on February 14, Qixi falls on the seventh day of the seventh month in the Chinese lunar calendar. Hence, it goes by many names:
- Chinese Valentine’s Day
- Qixi Festival
- Double Seventh Festival
- Chinese love holiday
At its heart, Qixi commemorates the annual reunion of Niulang (the cowherd) and Zhinü (the weaver girl) two lovers separated by a celestial river and only allowed to meet once a year. Their story has inspired generations of poets, artists, and lovers to mark this date with devotion and creativity.
Chinese Valentine’s Day History & Legend
Understanding Chinese Valentine’s Day history means traveling back over 2,000 years to the Han Dynasty. The legend goes:
Zhinü, daughter of the Jade Emperor, weaves beautiful clouds and fabric by day.
Niulang, a humble cowherd, cares for an old ox who is secretly immortal.
One day, Niulang spies Zhinü bathing among her celestial sisters by a river. He falls instantly in love.
With the ox’s help, Niulang steals Zhinü’s magical clothes so she cannot return to heaven. They marry on earth and live happily, with two children.
When the Jade Emperor learns of this, he orders Zhinü back to the heavens. Niulang tries to follow her on the ox’s hide, but the Emperor draws a wide river (the Milky Way) to separate them.
Touched by their love, magpies form a bridge once a year on the seventh lunar day of the seventh month allowing the lovers a single reunion.
This poignant story teaches perseverance, loyalty, and the power of love against all odds. Today, couples honor Niulang and Zhinü with everything from elegant dinners to woven crafts, preserving the Qixi Festival meaning for future generations.
When Is Chinese Valentine’s Day in 2025? (Chinese Valentine’s Day Date)
Because the Qixi Festival follows the lunar calendar, its Chinese Valentine’s Day date shifts each year:
2023: August 22
2024: August 10
2025: August 29
So mark your calendars, when is Chinese Valentine’s Day 2025? It’s on Friday, August 29, 2025. This mid-late summer date makes for warm evenings perfect for outdoor celebrations, star gazing, and moonlit strolls.
Chinese Romantic Traditions & How to Celebrate Qixi Festival
What do people do on Chinese Valentine’s Day? Over the centuries, Qixi has blended folk customs with modern romance. Here are some time-honored and contemporary ways to celebrate:
1. Weaving & Craft Demonstrations
Traditional embroidery exhibitions honor Zhinü’s skills. In some towns, villagers set up stalls where visitors can try simple weaving or cross-stitch.
DIY workshops: Many cities now offer couple’s classes in making friendship bracelets or embroidered handkerchiefs.
2. Star Gazing & Lantern Releases
Couples gather outdoors to locate Vega (Zhinü) and Altair (Niulang) across the Milky Way.
Floating lanterns: Write wishes on rice-paper lanterns and release them into the sky or on water.
3. Romantic Dinners & Gift Exchanges
Restaurants feature Qixi Festival menus with symbolic ingredients.
Exchanging rose bouquet ideas for Qixi Festival especially seven red roses to honor the seventh day has become wildly popular.
4. Prayers & Offerings
In rural areas, young women pray for skill in needlework and a good marriage, echoing Zhinü’s weaving prowess.
Offerings might include tea, fruits, and even chocolates in modern homes.
5. Fashion & Accessories
Wearing seven different colored accessories symbolizes the seven maidens who are Zhinü’s sisters.
Jewelry designers craft star-shaped pendants and constellation-themed pieces for the occasion.
By blending Chinese romantic traditions with 21st-century flair, today’s couples celebrate in ways that fit their lifestyles whether that means an intimate rooftop picnic or a lavish banquet.
Why Do Chinese Celebrate Valentine’s Day? East Meets West
You may be curious “why do Chinese celebrate Valentine’s Day” twice? The answer lies in globalization and cultural pride:
February 14 Valentine’s Day arrived in China through media, commerce, and social networks. It emphasizes flowers, chocolates, and dating apps much like the West.
Chinese Valentine’s Day celebration on Qixi centers on indigenous legend, craftsmanship, and family. It reins in a sense of cultural heritage and allows China to “own” its love holiday.
Both holidays now coexist harmoniously. Some couples mark both, choosing February 14 for casual dates and Qixi for deeper, tradition-rich experiences.
How to Measure Up: Calculating Romance & Devotion
Love has no formula, but Qixi gives us symbolic metrics:
Seven roses: Represent the seven days Niulang waited for Zhinü.
Seven gifts: Offer seven different items candies, flowers, handwritten notes to echo the heavenly reunion.
Seven steps: Take a romantic walk of seven stops, each stop marking a shared memory or future promise.
These playful nods to the number seven help couples feel connected to the legend while personalizing their celebrations.
Best Gifts for Chinese Valentine’s Day
When it comes to best gifts for Chinese Valentine’s Day, thoughtful gestures rule:
Seven-stem rose bouquets in red or pastel hues.
Silk scarves or handkerchiefs, referencing Zhinü’s weaving.
Constellation jewelry featuring the stars Vega and Altair.
Customized embroidery kits, so couples can craft together.
Luxury tea sets for an afternoon of sipping and storytelling.
And for those searching for rose bouquet ideas for Qixi Festival, consider mixing traditional red roses with soft pink peonies or white lilies to symbolize purity and lasting love.
Qixi Festival Around the World
As Chinese communities flourish globally, the Chinese Valentine’s Day celebration has taken root far beyond China’s borders:
New York City: Chinatown restaurants host seven-course Qixi tasting menus.
Sydney: Outdoor cinema nights under the stars feature Chinese love stories.
London: Embroidery pop-ups in cultural centers allow guests to learn ancient techniques.
Vancouver: Park lantern festivals light up the waterfront in mid-August.
Whether you live in Beijing or Boston, Qixi’s universal themes longing, reunion, devotion vibes across cultures, making it a truly global Chinese love holiday date.
Qixi Festival Meaning Today
At its core, the Qixi Festival meaning remains unchanged: love that overcomes obstacles. Modern life may keep couples busy or separated by distance, but Qixi reminds us to carve out time for one another, to craft small tokens of affection, and to celebrate stories that transcend time.
How to Celebrate Qixi Festival: A Step-by-Step Guide
Plan Ahead: Reserve a table at your favorite Chinese restaurant or set up an at-home feast with seven dishes one for each day of Niulang’s wait.
Gift Thoughtfully: Choose a meaningful rose bouquet or craft a simple embroidery sample together.
Stargaze: Find a dark spot away from city lights. Bring a blanket, snacks, and a star map app to locate Vega and Altair.
Light Lanterns: Whether on water or in the sky, lanterns carry your wishes release them at the festival’s peak.
Share Stories: Read the legend of Niulang and Zhinü aloud, or write your own love letter to read under the stars.
These simple steps help anyone from Qixi novices to seasoned romantics honor this special day.
When Is Chinese Valentine’s Day in 2025? Final Reminder
Don’t forget: Chinese Valentine’s Day 2025 falls on August 29. Whether you’re planning a grand gesture or an intimate evening at home, use this date to celebrate a love that’s both ancient and ever-renewing.
Celebrate Qixi with Toy Florist
This year, make your Qixi Festival truly unforgettable. At Toy Florist, we specialize in exquisite, story-driven floral designs that capture the Qixi Festival meaning. From seven-stem rose bouquets to silk-wrapped keepsake arrangements, our creations are perfect for the Chinese love holiday date.
Ready to celebrate? Visit our Qixi collection at Toy Florist and discover romantic bouquets and gifts designed to honor your own love story.