Laba Festival (là bā jié 腊八) is celebrated on the eighth day of the last lunar month, referring to the traditional start of celebrations for the Chinese New Year. "腊"(là) in Chinese means the 12th lunar month and "八"(bā)  means eight.

The majority Han Chinese have long followed the tradition of eating Laba rice porridge on the Laba Festival. The date usually falls in mid-January.

Legend
Laba rice porridge (là bā zhōu 腊八粥) was first introduced to China in the Song Dynasty (sòng cháo 宋朝) about 900 years ago.

Buddhism was well accepted in the areas inhabited by the Han Chinese, who believed that Sakyamuni (shì jiā móu ní 释迦牟尼), the first Buddha and founder of the religion, attained enlightenment on the eighth day of the twelfth month. Sutras (fó jīng 佛经) were chanted in the temples and rice porridge with beans, nuts and dried fruit was prepared for the Buddha. With the passing of time the custom extended, especially in rural areas where peasants would pray for a plentiful harvest in this way.

There is, however, another touching story: When Sakyamuni was on his way into the high mountains in his quest for understanding and enlightenment, he grew tired and hungry. Exhausted from days of walking, he fainted away by a river in India. A shepherdess found him there and fed him her lunch -- porridge made with beans and rice. Sakyamuni was thus able to continue his journey.

After six years of strict discipline, he finally realized his dream of full enlightenment on the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month. Ever since, monks have prepared rice porridge on the eve and held a ceremony the following day, during which they chant sutras and offer porridge to Buddha. Thus, the tradition of eating Laba porridge was based in religion, though with the passing of time the food itself became a popular winter dish especially in cold northern China.

According to written records, large Buddhist temples would offer Laba rice porridge to the poor to show their faith to Buddha. In the Ming Dynasty (míng cháo 明朝) about 500 years ago, it became such a holy food that emperors would offer it to their officials during festivals. As it gained favor in the feudal upper class, it also quickly became popular throughout the country.

Laba rice porridge contains glutinous rice, red beans, millet, Chinese sorghum, peas, dried lotus seeds, red beans and some other ingredients, such as dried dates, chestnut meat, walnut meat, almond, peanut, etc. Actually eight ingredients are used, cooked with sugar to make the porridge tasty.

Northerners prefer to use glutinous rice, red beans, dates, lotus seeds, dried pulp, walnuts, pine nuts and other dried fruits in their porridge; southerners like a salty porridge prepared with rice, soybeans, peanuts, broad beans, taro, water chestnuts, walnuts, vegetables and diced meat. In the north, it is a dessert with sugar added; in the south, salt is put in. Some people like to add cinnamon and other condiments to add flavor.

Controlling the heat is of great importance in making Laba porridge. At the start, the flame must be high, but the fire is then turned down to let the porridge simmer until it begins to emit a very delicious smell. The process is time-consuming but not complicated. Laba porridge is not only easy to prepare, but also a nutritious winter food because it contains amino acids, protein, vitamins and other nutrition people need. Cooked nuts and dried fruit are good for soothing nerves, nourishing one's heart and vitality, and strengthening the spleen. Perhaps that is why it is also called "babao  porridge"(bā bǎo zhōu 八宝粥).
 
腊八节
      
      在中国，农历十二月又被称作腊月，12月8日就叫腊八节。腊八节是中国汉民族的传统节日，也被视为春节的前奏。

　　据记载，腊八节最早源于中国古代的腊祭。中国自古就重视农业。每当农业生产获得丰收时，古人便认为是天地万物诸神助佑的结果，要举行庆祝农业丰收的盛大报谢典礼，称为“蜡祭”。蜡祭仪式结束以后，古人要进行宴乡活动，用新产的黍糜作粥，大伙儿聚餐，欢度佳节。后来的蜡祭，发展成以祭祀祖宗为主的节日。公元5世纪，政府把农历12月8日定为腊八节。

　　佛教传入中国后，借助腊八祭祖与吃粥的民俗，又新编了十二月初八，是佛祖释迦牟尼成道日的传说故事。其大意是释迦牟尼成佛之前，曾修苦行多年，饿得骨瘦如柴，决定放弃苦行。这时他遇见一位牧女，送给他乳糜充饥。食后体力恢复，坐菩提树下沉思，于十二月八日成道。为了纪念这件事，佛教徒便以米加果物煮粥，届时供佛，称为腊八粥。

　　中国人喝腊八粥的的历史，已有一千多年。最早开始于宋代。当时每逢腊八这一天，不论是朝廷、官府、寺院都要做腊八粥。在民间，家家户户也要做腊八粥，祭祀祖先；同时，合家团聚在一起食用，馈赠亲朋好友。

      腊八粥的种类非常丰富。民间传统腊八粥，讲究选用八种主料，八种佐料，以与腊八的“八”相吻合，意喻吉利。 主料以豆米为大宗。豆类有红豆、绿豆、豇豆、扁豆、豌豆、蚕豆及各色莲豆等等。米类有小米、大米、黄米、粳米、江米、稗米、小麦、燕麦、玉米、高粱等等。主人可以根据喜好和习惯选用。

　　腊八粥的佐料，习惯在桃脯、杏脯、核桃仁、枣泥、栗子、柿子、瓜子、莲子、花生、榛子、松子、果脯、梨干、葡萄干等里边选择。