Chinese New Year (January-February): Most important holiday. Temples host prayers and celebrations. Fireworks light night skies (limited in urban areas). Family reunions result in crowded attractions. Hotels fill months ahead. Many shops close for 1-2 weeks.
Spring Tea Festival (April): Celebrates tea harvest with competitions, tastings, and cultural performances. Longjing tea village hosts tea-picking competitions. Museums organize exhibitions. Excellent time for tea-lovers. Peak tourist season.
West Lake Expo (May-June): International garden and landscape exhibition. Temporary installations and performances. Food festivals. Crowds very high. Advance tickets recommended.
Dragon Boat Festival (June): Traditional dragon boat races on West Lake. Celebration of ancient poet Qu Yuan. Special rice dumplings (zongzi) sold everywhere. Holiday period sees family outings.
Mid-Autumn Festival (September-October): Moon-viewing festivals. Silk lantern installations on lakes. Mooncakes (traditional pastries) widely available. Evening celebrations and gatherings. Beautiful festival timing.
Hangzhou International Festival (September): Arts and culture festival with performances, exhibitions, and street celebrations. International artists participate. G20 Summit area hosts special events annually.