When the romance of Qixi meets the push for fresh wedding customs, the Dianjun District of Yichang, Hubei Province, has a ceremony ready for couples about to begin married life. The 2026 Dianjun District Qixi Group Certificate Ceremony is now recruiting couples, with 20 slots open, fully free of charge and with no hidden costs. Hosted by the Publicity Department of the Dianjun District Committee of the CPC, the Dianjun District Civil Affairs Bureau and the Dianjun District Women's Federation, it is set for August 19, 2026 (Wednesday) from 16:00 to 21:00 at the Jiangnan URD plaza in Dianjun (by the Yichang Underwater World) — the "Jiangnan" in the venue's name reflecting the district's location on the south bank of the Yangtze.
Qixi, the festival of lovers, retells the legend of the weaver girl and the cowherd, who are allowed to meet only once a year — on the seventh night of the seventh lunar month — across the Milky Way. This year that night falls on August 19, the date chosen for the ceremony, lending the district's group certificate event a ready-made aura of reunion and promise. Twenty slots are available in total. Eligible couples include those registering their marriage at the Dianjun District Marriage Registration Office on Qixi itself, August 19, 2026; already-married couples who wish to reapply for a marriage certificate or re-experience the certificate ceremony, as well as anniversary couples, may also sign up. First-time registrants will be given priority.
Registered couples enjoy a package of perks: an express lane at the Dianjun District Marriage Registration Office for a smooth, quick marriage registration and a dedicated newlywed blessing gift; an official commemorative gift box themed on the new wedding customs and one commemorative group certificate ceremony certificate; and free access to several interactive activities. On the day, couples can dress in formal wear or Hanfu as they prefer — for a more ceremonial look and better photos.
Registration runs from August 1 to August 15, 2026, closing early once slots fill. Couples can register online by submitting their information, or offline at the marriage registration window of the Dianjun District Government Service Center. The contact number is Zhang Han at 13387285819. The organizers note that in case of rain, strong winds or other severe weather, the ceremony will move to a pre-arranged indoor venue, with all registered couples notified one day in advance.
The Dianjun District Civil Affairs Bureau has previously said the district has held group certificate ceremonies and public weddings for several consecutive years on dates such as "520" and Qixi. In 2025 it staged the "Destiny in Numbers, Setting Sail with Love" group certificate ceremony; in 2026 it has already run the "Love in Dianjun, Witnessed by Time" ceremony, inviting golden-anniversary couples and model citizens of moral integrity to serve as guest certificate presenters and pass on fine family values, leading the trend with low-cost, high-content new weddings. This year's Qixi ceremony continues that tradition, helping couples make their most steadfast marriage vows on the Qixi Festival and step together into a civilized, happy new life.
