Key 2027 dates for chocolate buyers
Islamic festival dates are estimates and depend on moon sighting; they can differ by one day between countries.
| Date (2027) | Occasion | Main markets | Chocolate items often stocked |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 Feb | Lunar New Year / Chinese New Year / Tết | Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Chinese communities worldwide | Gold coins, gold-wrapped balls, gift jars |
| ~8 Feb | Ramadan begins (expected) | Middle East, Malaysia, Indonesia, Muslim communities | Gift boxes, sharing packs |
| 14 Feb | Valentine’s Day | United States, Philippines, worldwide | Gift boxes, shaped chocolate |
| ~9–10 Mar | Eid al-Fitr / Hari Raya Aidilfitri (expected) | Middle East, Malaysia, Indonesia | Gift boxes, gold-wrapped chocolates |
| 28 Mar | Easter Sunday | United States, Philippines | Shaped chocolate, sharing packs |
| 31 Oct | Halloween | United States, Philippines | Bulk bags, individually wrapped items |
| Sept–Dec | Christmas season (“Ber months”) | Philippines | Gift packs, gold coins, festive jars |
| 25 Dec | Christmas | United States, Philippines, Singapore | Stocking fillers, gold coins, gift boxes |
The early-2027 squeeze
In 2027, Lunar New Year (6 Feb), Ramadan (~8 Feb), Valentine’s Day (14 Feb), Eid al-Fitr (~9–10 Mar) and Easter (28 Mar) all fall within about seven weeks. At the same time, many factories and logistics companies in China slow down or close around Lunar New Year.
That means chocolate for all early-2027 festivals should be produced and shipped before the Lunar New Year holiday — and stock must also be on shelves in your market before the festival starts, not on the day.
How to plan backwards
For each festival, work backwards from the date goods must be on the shelf:
- Shelf date — usually a few weeks before the festival.
- Local distribution — warehouse to stores.
- Customs clearance at your port.
- Sea freight from China — ask your forwarder for the transit time to your port.
- Production and packing — ask your supplier for the lead time for your quantity.
- Artwork and sample approval — custom packaging needs extra time.
For the early-2027 festivals, add the Chinese New Year holiday to this plan.
Hot-weather note
Several of these markets are hot year-round. Plan cool transport and storage — see Shipping Chocolate to Hot Climates.
About us
AOYUAN FOOD makes compound chocolate gold coins, golden crispy balls, shaped chocolate and more in Jieshou, Anhui, China. Send us your festival plan and we will confirm what is possible for your dates.