China 2026 Public Holidays: A Strategic Guide for Eyewear Sourcing and Logistics
If you are sourcing eyeglass frames or optical accessories from China, understanding the 2026 national holiday schedule is crucial. These holidays directly affect manufacturing timelines, shipping schedules, and supplier communication. With advance planning, you can avoid production delays, secure better lead times, and maintain a smooth global supply chain.
Overview of China’s 2026 Public Holidays
The State Council of China has officially announced the public holiday arrangement for 2026. Below is a summary of the key dates that will impact business operations across the country:
- New Year’s Day: January 1–3 (Thursday to Saturday), with work resuming on January 4 (Sunday).
- Chinese New Year: February 15–23 (Sunday to Monday), a 9-day break — the most significant holiday of the year. Work days are February 14 and February 28 (Saturdays).
- Qingming Festival: April 4–6 (Saturday to Monday).
- Labor Day: May 1–5 (Friday to Tuesday), with a makeup workday on May 9 (Saturday).
- Dragon Boat Festival: June 19–21 (Friday to Sunday).
- Mid-Autumn Festival: September 25–27 (Friday to Sunday).
- National Day: October 1–7 (Thursday to Wednesday), with makeup workdays on September 20 (Sunday) and October 10 (Saturday).
What These Dates Mean for the Eyewear Industry
In the eyewear manufacturing hubs such as Wenzhou, Shenzhen, Xiamen, Yingtan, and Dongguan, these holidays lead to temporary factory closures, shipping backlogs, and port congestion. Understanding this schedule helps international buyers, optical retailers, and private-label brands plan ahead.
1. Chinese New Year: The Critical Planning Period
The Spring Festival (Feb 15–23) is by far the most impactful holiday. Most factories will shut down as early as one week before, with production gradually resuming only in early March. For eyewear sourcing, this means:
- Finalize all purchase orders by late December 2025.
- Confirm sample approvals and material stock before factories close.
- Book ocean or air freight slots early — space becomes limited two weeks before the holiday.
- Expect 3–4 weeks of production slowdown and logistics congestion post-holiday.
2. Labor Day and National Day: Mid-Year and Autumn Shipping Peaks
The May 1–5 and October 1–7 holidays are “mini–Golden Weeks,” when many logistics companies, customs offices, and ports operate with limited staff. For eyewear exporters, this affects international shipment timing:
- Plan your container shipments at least 10 days before these holidays.
- Avoid booking new production right before October, as factories prioritize pre-holiday orders.
- Use these periods to replenish your inventory or prepare new model launches after the holiday rush.
3. Mid-Autumn and Dragon Boat Festivals: Short but Disruptive
Though shorter (3 days each), these breaks — in June and September — often align with weekend rest days, reducing available production time by up to a full week in practice. Small- and medium-sized optical frame factories may close for extended periods, especially if located in family-owned industrial clusters.
Strategic Tips for Eyewear Sourcing in 2026
- Build flexible lead times: Add 10–15 extra working days around major holidays to your production calendar.
- Consolidate shipments: Reduce small batch exports before holidays to save on logistics costs and avoid customs delays.
- Use bonded warehouses: If your business involves continuous restocking, consider bonded storage near Ningbo or Shanghai to buffer disruptions.
- Coordinate design cycles: Launch new frame collections right after long breaks — typically March or mid-October — when suppliers have renewed production capacity.
- Stay connected: Establish clear communication with your account managers on WeChat or email before they leave for extended holidays.
Aligning Global Logistics With the Holiday Calendar
Freight forwarding and customs operations also follow these public holidays. To minimize downtime:
- Book shipping slots early with your forwarder, especially before the Spring Festival and Golden Week.
- Use express logistics channels (e.g., DHL, FedEx) for urgent sample shipments during long breaks.
- Keep backup suppliers in regions like Vietnam or Malaysia for continuity during major Chinese holidays.
China’s 2026 holiday calendar offers opportunities for smart planning rather than disruption. By understanding the rhythm of these breaks — especially the 9-day Chinese New Year and the 7-day National Day — international eyewear buyers can align procurement, design, and logistics cycles effectively.
As the global demand for stylish, sustainable, and lightweight eyewear continues to grow, those who plan around China’s production calendar will stay one step ahead in both cost efficiency and supply chain stability.