This publication contains three background papers on Chinese festivals which are still celebrated by Chinese Americans. The first festival discussed--Ching Ming--is a celebration of the coming of spring and the occasion of the first outing of the year. This paper discusses the historical development of the festival since prehistoric times, presents legends associated with the festival, and tells how Chinese Americans observe the festival today. The second paper traces the history of the Winter Festival from 1,000 B.C. to the present and compares it to the Teutonic Yuletide, which occurs at the same time and is often combined with the traditional Winter Festival activities by Chinese Americans. The author reports on the ceremonies that are observed during the period of the festival, describes the foods that are eaten, and tells how these foods are prepared. The third paper, about the Dragon Boat Festival, traces the historical development of the festival and describes the ceremonial activities associated with it in both north and south China. Two activities are described which might be utilized during a study of the festival in an American classroom. References are included for each section. (Author/DB)