Spring is in the air! Or at least, it’s on the calendar. Today marks the first official day of spring in the city, and you can celebrate this weekend with a free festival at the Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre.
The traditional Qing Ming Festival will be happening this Sunday, and you’re in for a treat. There will be indoor and outdoor activities, visually stunning performances, educational workshops, and a local vendors market with all sorts of unique items to browse and shop.
Here’s everything you can expect this year:
Qing Ming Festival in Calgary
Qing Ming is a traditional celebration to honour ancestors, celebrate family bonds, and welcome the arrival of spring.
According to the Smithsonian, the Qing Ming Festival translates from Cantonese to “Pure Brightness Festival” and takes place every year after the spring equinox. The festival has been observed for over 2,500 years, with traditions derived from Confucianism. The holiday is devoted to remembering the deceased, with many cleaning and decorating gravesites, burning incense, and making food offerings to their ancestors. Following these observances, the spring season is celebrated with outdoor activities and performances.
This free festival in Calgary hopes to bring the city together to foster cultural exchange and community spirit. Stop by to enjoy the festivities and learn something new!
Outdoor Activities
Dragon and Lion Dances: Enjoy mesmerizing dances by local performers in traditional costumes. The Dragon and Lion dances are believed to ward off evil and welcome spring with good luck.
Cultural Music and Dance Performances: Observe a variety of performances showcasing traditional Chinese music and folk dance.
Food Trucks: Tantalize your tastebuds with Chinese Street food such as dumplings and baozi, along with various treats and snacks.
Indoor Activities
Local Vendor Market: Browse the local marketplace featuring Chinese arts, crafts, traditional snacks, and products.
Cultural Workshops: Learn more about traditional Chinese themes and customs, such as tea culture and Chinese medicine.
“Along the River During the Qing Ming” Scroll Exhibition: This exhibit showcases the famous Chinese painting and allows visitors to learn about historical Qing Ming customs.
Heritage Performances: Check out more traditional Chinese performances, such as calligraphy demonstrations and classical Chinese music.
Check it out this weekend; you never know what you’ll discover.
When: Sunday, March 23, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre — 197 1st St. SW, Calgary
Cost: Free to attend
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