Qixi is the Chinese Valentine's Day.

But it is more than romance.

It is an old tradition.

It comes from legends, prayers, and cultural activities.

The festival is on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month.

In 2026, that day was Aug. 19.

People also celebrate it in Singapore, Vietnam, and other Asian countries.

Beijing's Folk Custom Museum held activities on Wednesday.

The program was called "Asking for Skills."

This follows an old tradition.

In the past, women prayed to be skillful.

They showed their abilities through crafts.

Jia Juan works in the museum's Public Education Department.

She said they hope young people learn about traditional festivals through fun activities.

The museum has held Qixi events for 14 years.

About 500 people come each time.

The program had classical music and hands-on activities.

One activity was dyeing fingernails with garden balsam.

This is a natural color linked to beauty and blessings.

Another activity was Song brocade bead painting.

It mixes silk with pearls, which mean good fortune.

People made sachet-shaped paintings.

These paintings show "qiqiao," an idea about working to be skillful.

Wang Xuejie came with her 7-year-old daughter.

They made "qiaoguo," a shaped pastry.

Jia said the festival started with old star worship.

The love story is about Zhinü, a weaver girl, and Niulang, a cowherd.

They meet once a year on a magpie bridge.

In Singapore, researcher Lynn Wong started Qixi Fest in 2023.

She wanted to bring the festival back.

Hor Xin Hao is of Cantonese descent.

He keeps old traditions.

He prays to the Seven Maidens with things like incense and cosmetics.

Hor said the name "Valentine's Day" is too small for the festival.

Its real meaning is about old values and family history.