The Dragon Boat Festival, the 5th day of the 5th lunar month, has had a history of more than 2,000 years. It is usually in June in the Gregorian calendar.
Legends
The story best known in modern China holds that the festival commemorates the death of the patriotic poet Qu Yuan (340 BC–278 BC). It's said that the local people, who admired him, raced out in their boats to save him. This is said to have been the origin of dragon boat races.
Traditions
Three of the most widespread activities for the Dragon Boat Festival are eating Zongzi, drinking realgar wine, and racing dragon boats. Other common activities include hanging up icons of Zhong Kui, hanging mugwort and calamus, taking long walks, and wearing perfumed medicine bags.