Shenzhen marriage registry gears up for Qixi Festival rush

Marriage registry offices across Shenzhen will open both online and offline appointment slots for couples seeking to obtain their marriage licenses on this year's Qixi Festival that fall on Aug. 19, according to the Shenzhen Civil Affairs Bureau. 

Even if online bookings are fully subscribed, couples can still walk in for on-site service. Registry offices will remain open until every couple in line has been served, ensuring no one is turned away on the day.

Qixi Festival — often referred to as Chinese Valentine's Day — falls on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month. Rooted in the legend of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl, it is a celebration of romantic love, and many couples intentionally choose to tie the knot on this auspicious date.

Photo courtesy of Shenzhen Civil Affairs Bureau.

The popularity of the day reflects a broader trend. According to the Q2 2026 Quarterly Statistical Report on Civil Affairs released by the Guangdong Provincial Department of Civil Affairs, the province recorded 288,000 marriages in the first half of this year, with Shenzhen accounting for 57,181 — ranking first among all cities in Guangdong.

Shenzhen's leadership in this area is no accident. In recent years, the city has transformed marriage registration from a routine administrative procedure into a full-scenario experience rich in ceremony, warmth, and joy — shifting the focus from "processing paperwork" to "celebrating a life milestone."

Each district has established indoor and outdoor venues for marriage certificate ceremonies. Rituals such as vow-taking and exchanging keepsakes have been thoughtfully incorporated. During peak periods, districts also roll out complimentary self-service photo booths, on-site makeup services, and other thoughtful amenities to enhance couples' experience.

Further fueling the momentum is the nationwide marriage registration policy, which allows couples to register without returning to their hometowns. Shenzhen has become a prime destination under this policy — statistics from the Shenzhen Civil Affairs Bureau show that 31,500 couples with non-local household registration were married in the city in the first half of this year, a year-on-year increase of 26.53%.