The Laba Festival (Chinese: 腊八节, Làbā jié)

The Laba Festival (Chinese: 腊八节, Làbā jié) is a traditional Chinese festival celebrated on the 8th day of the 12th lunar month (腊月初八). In 2026, it falls on January 26, 2026 (current date reference), serving as the flavorful and warm prelude to the Chinese New Year (Spring Festival).

Origins and History

The festival has ancient roots dating back to pre-Qin times as a harvest thanksgiving and ancestor worship ritual during the "La" (腊) month, the end-of-year sacrificial period. It later blended with Buddhist influences during the Song Dynasty (around 900+ years ago). A popular legend ties it to Sakyamuni (Gautama Buddha): After extreme fasting and hardship, he received milk rice porridge from a village girl on the 8th day of the 12th lunar month, regained strength, sat under the Bodhi tree, and attained enlightenment. Temples began cooking and sharing "Laba congee" to commemorate this event, spreading the custom among ordinary people.

Main Traditions and Customs

• Eating Laba Congee (腊八粥) — The most iconic custom. Families cook a hearty, multi-ingredient porridge using glutinous rice, red beans, mung beans, peanuts, lotus seeds, dried dates, longans, chestnuts, goji berries, walnuts, etc. (often 8+ kinds of grains/beans/fruits for "eight treasures"). It's simmered overnight from the 7th evening and shared with relatives, neighbors, and even friends. Symbolizes abundance, good health, and family unity for the coming year.
• Praying for blessings — In some regions, people offer the congee to ancestors, gods, or at temples.
• Other regional customs — Pickling "Laba garlic" (腊八蒜) in vinegar (turns green and tastes sweet-sour), making Laba tofu, or brewing Laba wine in northern China. In the past, emperors distributed congee to officials and temples.
• Starting preparations for Chinese New Year — After Laba, people begin cleaning, shopping, and festive mood-building.

Laba Festival combines folk agriculture worship, Buddhist gratitude, and family warmth, marking the official countdown to Spring Festival.