4-2-6 Temple fairs

Another grand Spring Festival tradition is the temple fair. In the past, Spring Festival was a time to make sacrifices and entreat the deities for protection and prosperity. People would flock to temples during the first days of the new year to burn incense and honor the gods. These gatherings eventually evolved into temple fairs. Today, although the religious element has diminished somewhat, temple fairs still exist. Among the largest and most exciting fairs are those held every year at Changdian Temple, Baiyunguan Temple, and Dongyuemiao Temple in Beijing, and at Chenghuangmiao Temple, Longhua Temple, and Jing'ansi Temple in Shanghai. Temple fairs now encompass not just religious ceremonies, but also a wide range of commercial and cultural activities. It is possible both to buy New Year's provisions and watch performances of the Lion Dance, Dragon Dance, stilt-walking, Yangge folk dancing, land boat races, and diabolo twirling. These activities have contributed to temple fairs becoming an important Spring Festival activity.