The Winter Solstice, known as Dongzhi Festival, marks the shortest day and longest night of the year. Rooted in ancient Chinese tradition, it symbolizes balance, renewal, and family unity. Families gather for special meals, often featuring tangyuan (sweet glutinous rice balls) that represent harmony and reunion. In Macau, it is a time for both ancestral remembrance and joyful gatherings, reflecting the city's blend of tradition and togetherness.

When is the Winter Solstice?

The Winter Solstice is celebrated in Macau around December 21 or 22 each year.

The following is the list of the Winter Solstice from 2020 to 2049.

The History of the Winter Solstice?

The Winter Solstice Festival is one of the most ancient and culturally significant celebrations in Chinese tradition, deeply rooted in astronomy, philosophy, and family values. Its observance in Macau, as in much of the Chinese world, reflects a blend of ancestral reverence, seasonal transition and family unity.

The festival dates back more than 2,000 years to the Han Dynasty (206 BCE – 220 CE), though its origins can be traced even earlier to the study of the solar calendar and yin-yang philosophy. Ancient Chinese astronomers determined the Winter Solstice to be the day when yin (darkness, cold) reaches its peak and yang (light, warmth) begins to grow again, symbolizing the rebirth of sunlight and the renewal of life. This understanding made the Winter Solstice a time to celebrate the balance of nature and the cyclical rhythm of the universe.

Traditionally, emperors held grand Heaven Worship ceremonies to pray for prosperity and harmony in the coming year. Over time, the festival evolved into a family-centered observance, emphasizing reunion, gratitude, and respect for ancestors.

In Macau, where Chinese and Portuguese cultures coexist, the Winter Solstice remains a cherished local tradition. Families gather for ancestral offerings and reunion meals, often featuring tangyuan (sweet glutinous rice balls) symbolizing unity and completeness. In southern China and Macau, the festival is often regarded as "more important than the New Year", as it represents the turning point toward longer days and renewed hope.

Today, the Winter Solstice in Macau is celebrated quietly yet meaningfully, combining ancestral remembrance, family gatherings, and culinary traditions, a reflection of the city's enduring respect for balance, togetherness, and the natural order.