How Do Chinese People Celebrate Christmas in China? BONUS Vocab List

圣诞节快乐 (Shèngdàn jié kuàilè)—Merry Christmas! 

It’s only a month till Christmas – are you feeling excited yet? The hunt for Christmas trees, gifts, toys for kids, food, etc., has started. 

Have you ever wondered how people celebrate Christmas in an Asian country like China? Let’s find out!

Facts about how people celebrate Christmas in China 

So people in China do and don’t celebrate Christmas. Since China is officially an atheist state, most Chinese people don’t really “care” about Christmas. 

In Mainland China, Christmas is not a public holiday. But if you’re in Hong Kong or Macau, you’ll get a two-day public holiday and celebrate in a more traditional Western way, as these territories are more influenced by the UK and Portugal.

However, Christmas celebrations are becoming more popular in China in different ways. In major cities throughout the country, it’s now viewed as a marketing opportunity and commercial event. You can see shopping malls and streets filled with Christmas decorations, giant Christmas trees, Santa Claus, and classic Christmas music played all day long, hoping to attract more customers.

Schools, hotels, or business organizations also join in the festivities, decorating offices and classrooms and holding parties to join in the international holiday occasion.

The festive atmosphere covers every corner of every major city in China, just like any Western nation. But again, Christmas in China is seen as an event rather than looking at it through a religious aspect.  

Fact #1: Chinese Christmas is more like a Valentine’s Day.

Christmas decorations in China | ThoughtCo

Unlike Western countries, where Christmas is about family gatherings, Chinese people tend to go out with their friends, go shopping, spend time at the cinema or sing along in karaoke clubs. 

Young couples see Christmas as a special and romantic day to exchange gifts and express their love for each other. Restaurants will usually offer romantic dinner specials and Christmas-themed promotions, while gift shops will be stocked with heart-shaped chocolates, flowers, and teddies. 

Chinese Christmas is also considered the biggest sale season of the year. You’ll find department stores always busy, full of customers taking advantage of the massively discounted prices.  

Fact #2: People give each other apples on Christmas Day

Chinese Christmas apples | Confucius Institute

It’s not traditional in China to give Christmas cards or gifts. Instead, they give apples! Why is that, you ask? 

This custom was born out of the similar sound between the Chinese phrase for Christmas Eve, 平安夜 (píng ān yè), meaning a peaceful evening and the Chinese word for ‘apple’ is 苹果 (píngguǒ). Due to this, Chinese people started giving red apples to their families and friends on Christmas Eve.

You can find apples wrapped in decorative paper or boxes displayed and sold everywhere. 

Chinese people also print little messages saying ‘Merry Christmas,’ ‘Peace,’ or ‘Love’ on the apples, as eating an apple on Christmas Eve will bring you a safe, loving, and peaceful year.

So, if you’re planning to spend Christmas time in China, remember to get apples for your loved ones! 

Fact #3: Chinese people don’t decorate their homes

In contrast to the festive decorations in public, Chinese people don’t really put up a Christmas tree or ornaments in their houses. If they do have a tree, it will be a tree of light. This is generally an artificial one with paper chains, flowers, and lanterns.

It’s quite ironic as Chinese factories produce most of the world’s Christmas goodies, from fairy lights to those little plastic bells hanging on your tree. There’s a high chance that your Christmas decorations at home were made in China! 

Fact #4: Do Chinese Christians celebrate Christmas? 

It’s estimated that around 2.5 % of the Chinese population are Christians, and they do celebrate Christmas in a Western Christian style. They attend special church services on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. They go to see choral, dance, and drama performances put on by their church congregations.

But if you want to know how Christmas is really done in China, check out this video so you can see the major difference between western and Chinese Christmas

Chinese vocab list: Top 20 Christmas words you should know!

Let’s take a look and learn the most common 20 Chinese words about Christmas to make sure you’re still building your Chinese vocabulary, even during the holiday season! 

You can also check our useful tips to learn Chinese fast and effectively. Let’s get yourself well-prepared before special occasions!

Frequently asked questions

How do they celebrate Christmas in China?

Christmas in China is seen as a festive event rather than a religious holiday. More often than not, it is also seen as another Valentine's Day where couples go on dates and give gifts. While major cities will have big Christmas decorations around. 

What is Christmas called in China?

Christmas day is 圣诞节 (shèng dàn jié), Christmas Eve is 平安夜/圣诞节前夕 (píng ān yè/shèng dàn jié qián xī), and Santa is 圣诞老人 (shèng dàn lǎo rén) in Chinese.

How many days of Christmas in China?

Christmas in China is celebrated on December 25th each year. However, it is not a public holiday in China, so people and kids will go to work and school respectively.

In closing

It’s fascinating to see how this classic holiday is celebrated in other places in the world, including China! 

So whether you find yourself celebrating Christmas in China, just enjoy this festive event this holiday season. 

圣诞节快乐!