Qingming Spring Gathering
A Qingming Festival Gathering with Kites, Qingtuan & Picnic
Date: 5th of April
Time: 11:30- 13:30/13:30-17:30
Location: Yi Crafts & Gladstone Park
Qingming Festival, also known as Tomb-Sweeping Day, is a traditional Chinese festival that marks the arrival of spring. While it is commonly associated with remembrance and paying respect to ancestors, Qingming is also a time for treading the green — going outdoors to enjoy the season, fly kites, and share seasonal foods.
This gathering invites participants to experience Qingming through a gentle spring ritual of making, eating, and being outdoors together. The day begins with two hands-on workshops that happen simultaneously: kite making and qingtuan (traditional green rice dumplings) making. Participants will learn about the cultural background of these traditions, create their own kites and prepare qingtuan to share.
In the afternoon, the group will take a short walk to a nearby park for a relaxed spring picnic, where everyone is invited to fly their kites, share food, and enjoy the changing season together. Through simple acts of craft, food, and outdoor play, the event offers a way to reconnect with seasonal rhythms and explore the communal and celebratory side of Qingming.
Traditional Chinese Kite Making Workshop
传统纸鸢工作坊
Let your creativity take flight with a tradition that has soared for over 2,000 years.
In this hands-on workshop, you will learn how to make and decorate a traditional Chinese swallow kite (纸鸢 zhǐyuān), a classic design that has been loved for generations across China. Guided step by step, participants will assemble their own kite and personalise it with colours and patterns.
The swallow-shaped kite is a symbol of spring, freedom and renewal. During the Qingming Festival, flying kites is a long-standing tradition believed to send away bad luck and welcome good fortune.
By the end of the session, you will have your own handmade kite ready to fly during our Qingming outdoor activities later in the day.
Time: 11:30 - 13:30
Ticket Price: £48 (20% VAT)
Traditional Qingtuan Cookery Class
青团手工制作坊
Join us for a hands-on cookery workshop where you’ll learn how to make qingtuan, a traditional Chinese spring treat enjoyed during the Qingming Festival. Known for their soft, chewy texture and vibrant green colour, qingtuan are made with glutinous rice flour and mugwort, and are a beloved seasonal snack that celebrates the arrival of spring.
In this relaxed and beginner-friendly session, we’ll introduce the cultural story behind qingtuan and guide you step by step through the process of shaping and filling the dumplings. Each participant will make 6 qingtuan, which you can enjoy during the picnic later in the day or take home to share.
Time: 11:30 - 13:30
Ticket Price: £36 (20% VAT)
Spring Picnic Gathering
踏青野餐
In the afternoon, we will take a gentle walk to the park for a relaxed Qingming spring picnic. Picnic food will be provided, and participants are also warmly welcome to bring a small dish to share if they wish. Together we will enjoy spring food, relax on the grass, and celebrate the arrival of spring in good company.
Activities :
2 pm: Picnic + Kite Flying
3 pm: Grass Battle Game
4 pm: Kicking Jianzi; Chinese Jump Rope; Tug of war
5 pm: Bawang Bian Folk Dance
Time: 14:30 - 17:30
Picnic Ticket price: £15
Package Ticket: Buy Picnic with Kite Workshop (£60)
Package Ticket: Buy Picnic with Qingtuan Workshop (£48)