The 2026 Guangzhou Flower Fairy Festival will take place on March 21-22 at Tianhe's Zhujiang Park in Guangzhou, known as "flower city", re-imaging the ancient "flower birthday" celebration as a fusion of cultural heritage and urban vibrancy.

Participants wear hanfu, the traditional Chinese attire, in a previous capture of the Flower Fairy Festival. [Photo/WeChat account: tianhefabu]

The festival prominently features the kapok flower, Guangzhou's city flower, which is also known as the "hero flower". This event beautifully marries the kapok's bold red hues with the classical elegance of the ancient tradition, promising a citywide spectacle of unique charm.

The festival's highlights include the flower fairy competition, where participants compete for the title of "12 Flower Fairies" by demonstrating their expertise and beauty in floral-themed presentations. This competition not only honors the beauty of flowers but also emphasizes innovative approaches to the preservation of traditional culture.

The flower parade is set to feature intricately designed floral floats, offering a visual feast that captures the essence of springtime through its picturesque displays. Additionally, activities such as hammer toss, bamboo swordplay, curling and shadow puppetry emphasize creativity and fun, allowing participants to immerse themselves in the leisurely pastimes of ancient times while appreciating the vibrant heritage of traditional crafts.

The flower parade carries the ancient tradition. [Photo/WeChat account: tianhefabu]