Guangzhou is preparing a packed program of cultural and tourism activities for the 2026 Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holidays, with more than 2,000 events planned across the city, ranging from lantern displays and flower shows to music festivals, exhibitions and traditional folk activities. The city has also launched 20 themed travel routes covering all 11 districts.
Among the highlights is the Mid-Autumn Lantern Festival at Guangzhou Culture Park, which will run from September 25 to October 7, covering the 13 days around the two holidays. The festival will light up the park from 6 pm to 10 pm each evening, with 24 large and medium-sized lantern installations and additional atmospheric lighting. Traditional activities, including lantern riddles, storytelling, and performances, will also be held. Admission is free.
For visitors looking for flowers and nature, the 11th Golden Autumn Water Lily Exhibition at Lotus Hill will open on October 1, featuring more than 600 varieties of water lilies. Lion dance performances are also planned during the National Day holiday period. Elsewhere, the seventh Maofeng Mountain Red Leaf Season will offer autumn walks, stamp‑collecting activities along trails and forest‑based experiences.
Music will feature prominently in the holiday program. Zhujiang Park will stage the seventh edition of its lawn concert, with a Mid-Autumn performance on September 24 and a National Day session on October 4, combining music with poetry readings and interactive activities. In Nansha, the 2026 Guangzhou Super Strawberry Music Festival will run from September 25 to September 27, including a special day dedicated to Cantonese-language music.
The city's program also includes 10 flower exhibitions, 10 themed markets and 5 exhibitions, alongside around 50 folk and science activities. Visitors can take part in events such as dragon and lion dances, mooncake-making, Cantonese poetry readings, insect observation and wetland ecology classes.
Beyond the traditional festivities, Guangzhou will welcome new urban attractions during the holiday period. Taikoo Li Julong Wan Guangzhou is scheduled to open on September 28, while Bai'etan Mixc (Guangzhou), the brand's first project in the city, is due to open on September 30 with more than 300 brands. A number of music, entertainment and shopping venues are also preparing special holiday programs.
For travellers, Guangzhou's 20 official holiday routes are organised around four themes: cultural walks, arts and lifestyle, family entertainment and outdoor exploration. The routes connect historic neighbourhoods, museums, traditional villages, mountain landscapes and major attractions, offering options for both short city breaks and longer stays.
Author | Feng Huiting
Posters | Feng Huiting
