On the birthday of Goddess Mazu which falls on the 23rd day of the third lunar month and the anniversary of her death on the ninth day of the ninth month, thousands of pilgrims, many from Taiwan, come to Meizhou Island to pay homage to the goddess at the Mazu Temple. During the festival, a great variety of activities are held such as the sacrificial ceremony to Goddess Mazu, research on Mazu culture, arts and crafts on display and sale, performances of folk songs and dances, and the display of delicious Fujian cuisine.