How Public Holidays in China Impact your Product Development, Design and Manufacturing

Holidays are an inevitable part of doing business anywhere in the world, but in China, they bring a unique set of challenges. Unlike Western holidays that last a day or two, many Chinese public holidays stretch over weeks, leading to production slowdowns, design project delays, and unexpected costs.

For businesses relying on Chinese manufacturers or product development agencies like NYCD Agency, failing to plan around these holidays can result in missed deadlines, logistical headaches, and budget overruns. Here's how key Chinese holidays affect the industry—and what you can do to minimize disruptions.

We all know the hassle of trying to get product developmen pbusiness done on major public holiday—whether it's Independence Day for U.S. or Labour Day in Canada. 

Many businesses shut down, schedules shift, and getting things done becomes a challenge.

But if you're working with companies in China, the impact of national holidays is on another level. These aren't just long weekends—they're extended long breaks that can seriously disrupt your production, product development, and design workflows.

Unlike commonly know Western holidays, which often last only one day or two, many Chinese holidays can shut down operations for weeks. If you're not prepared, these disruptions can lead to delays, budget overruns, and unexpected quality issues.

If you're working with factories and product development teams in China, marking these dates on your calendar can save you from last-minute headaches. Even if avoiding production right before or after a holiday isn't always possible, planning ahead helps minimize risks like rushed production, delayed shipments, or miscommunications.

To avoid these costly mistakes, here's a look at some of the key holidays in China that impact product development, design, and manufacturing.

Chinese New Year: Industry-Wide Reset

No holiday disrupts business operations in China like Chinese New Year. Also called the Spring Festival (CNY), it typically falls between late January and mid-February, based on the lunar calendar.

For many Chinese workers, this is the biggest event of the year, prompting mass travel back to hometowns for family reunions. As a result, factories, design firms, and other businesses shut down for at least two to three weeks—sometimes even longer.

In the months leading up to CNY, production ramps up to meet deadlines before the holiday break. Post-holiday, there's often a scramble to catch up, with some manufacturers and agencies facing staffing shortages as employees don't always return immediately.

If you're working on product development with teams in China, it's critical to finalize key design decisions and place orders well in advance to avoid delays.

Lantern Festival: True End of Chinese New Year

Falling 2 weeks after CNY, the Lantern Festival (Yuanxiao Festival) marks the official end of the Spring Festival period. Most large factories have resumed production by this time, but smaller businesses, especially those in custom fabrication or assembly, may only start hiring and resuming full operations after this holiday.

Some smaller factories don't actively hire workers or restart production until after this festival, leading to delays in early-year production schedules.

An NYCD client in the outdoor gear industry found that their supplier didn't have a full production team ready until the Lantern Festival had passed, delaying their product sample iteration process.

Qingming Festival

Also known as Tomb Sweeping Day, Qingming Festival usually falls in early April. During this time, many manufacture staffs in China take time off to visit family gravesites and pay respects to their ancestors.

While it's not as disruptive as CNY, businesses may operate with reduced staff. This can lead to slower response times and minor delays in project workflows.

An NYCD client in consumer electronics experienced a two-days delay because the factory's head of structural design took time off to observe Qingming, leaving critical design changes on hold.

For companies collaborating with Chinese teams, it's a good idea to check ahead on availability during this period and plan accordingly.

Labour Day Holiday(May Day)

Celebrated on May 1, Labour Day (or May Day) is an important public holiday in China, recognizing workers' contributions. It often includes festivals, parades, and travel, leading to reduced business activity.

While some industries experience minimal disruption, many manufacturers and agencies take this time off, particularly if it falls near a weekend. If you're managing product development or working on a design project, it's wise to confirm team availability to avoid unnecessary delays.

Dragon Boat Festival

Falling in June, the Dragon Boat Festival is another traditional holiday that can impact operations. 

Marked by traditional boat races and widespread consumption of delicious zongzi, the holiday sees workers taking time off, and some factories and businesses closing for a few days.

Though not as disruptive as CNY, this period can still cause slowdowns, particularly in supply chain coordination and product development schedules.

Mid-Autumn Festival

Taking place in September or early October, the Mid-Autumn Festival (also called the Moon Festival) is a time for family reunions and mooncake exchanges. Many businesses close for a few days, and employees take time off to celebrate.

For companies collaborating with Chinese teams, this means potential scheduling delays and slower response times. On the bright side, this is a great opportunity to strengthen business relationships—sending mooncakes to your Chinese partners is a common way to show appreciation and goodwill.

National Day (Golden Week): A Complete Business Standstill

China's National Day, celebrated in the first week of October, marks the founding of the People's Republic of China. This week-long holiday, known as Golden Week, is the second-largest holiday after Chinese New Year and sees a massive spike in domestic and international travel.

During Golden Week, factories, agencies, and most businesses shut down entirely. The break extends beyond just the official holiday, as workers may take additional time off. If you're in the middle of a product development cycle, expect delays in design approvals, prototyping, and manufacturing.

Planning ahead is crucial—trying to push projects through right before or after Golden Week can lead to rushed work, quality issues, or logistical bottlenecks.

Key Takeaways

Chinese holidays can significantly impact product development, design, and manufacturing, with closures lasting from a few days to several weeks.

Chinese New Year and Golden Week are the most disruptive, often halting production and business operations for extended periods.

Lesser holidays like Qingming, Labour Day, Dragon Boat Festival, and Mid-Autumn Festival can still cause slowdowns, especially in project timelines and supply chains.

To avoid missed deadlines, shipping delays, or rushed production, it's essential to plan ahead and coordinate with your teams in China.

If you work closely with Chinese partners, acknowledging these holidays—like sending mooncakes for Mid-Autumn Festival—can help strengthen business relationships.

By staying aware of these holidays and planning accordingly, you can keep your projects running smoothly and avoid costly surprises. Whether you're working with factories or a product development agency like NYCD, a little foresight goes a long way in ensuring success.