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Hong Kong residents celebrate traditional Chinese holidays throughout the year beginning with the longest and most significant holiday of all, Chinese New Year.
Chinese New YearGovernment offices and businesses in Hong Kong close down for three days to celebrate the New Year. Homes, buildings, malls, stores and streets are adorned with decorations and lights during the celebrations while the city runs activities such as a harbour parade and nightly fireworks. On Chinese New Year's Eve the most important dinner is held. The Hong Kong Tourism Board provides details on major events across the community for this holiday. Hong Kong Arts FestivalSince 1972, the Hong Kong Arts Festival has been sponsoring a month-long programme showcasing cultural events such as Chinese opera, Western opera, dance, music, jazz and theatre. The festival takes place around February and March.
Hong Kong International Film FestivalThe three-week festival in March and April premieres hundreds of local and international films, documentaries and programmes at cinemas throughout the territory.
Hong Kong SevensDozens of internationally renowned rugby teams arrive in Hong Kong to compete for the annual Cup, Plate and Bowl Championships. The week of matches takes place in March at the Hong Kong Stadium.
Dragon Boat Festival (Tuen Ng)Held to commemorate Ch'u Yuen, a Chinese hero, this is one of the oldest Cantonese festivals. It traditionally takes place on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month (June). Dragon boat races are held in several locations in the territory to celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival, including Aberdeen, Stanley and Tai Po. Local and international crews paddle 50-foot long water craft to compete for prizes as part of the celebrations.
Hong Kong MarathonRunners from all over the world take part in the Hong Kong Marathon, considered one of the city's biggest outdoor sporting events. The event includes a full marathon, a half marathon and a 10 Km run.
Tin Hau FestivalCelebrating the patron saint of fishermen, this festival takes place in May. Fishing boats are decorated with bright colours and people make their way to Tin Hau temples to pray for luck, safety and good weather for the upcoming year. There are many Tin Hau temples throughout the territory, the oldest one being at Joss House Bay in the eastern New Territories.
Cheung Chau Bun FestivalHeld on Cheung Chau Island, a former pirates' trap, this is a pageant and bun grab held in May. The festival not only commemorates being saved from a plague over 200 years ago, but is also said to appease the ghosts of pirates' victims. Celebrations include operas, dances, religious services and parades with buns being distributed at the end of the festivities. Processions of costumed children make their way to a temple. Participants can climb up "bun towers" and try to take as many buns as possible, the one with the most buns wins.
Mid-Autumn FestivalHeld according to the Lunar Calendar in celebration of the full moon, the Mid-Autumn Festival is associated with many ancient folk tales. It is traditional to eat Chinese moon cakes around this period, and many children will celebrate by bringing out lanterns. A stunning lantern display is normally organised at Victoria Park.
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This is the "Local Festivals & Events in Hong Kong" INFOrmation Page at AngloINFO Hong Kong. AngloINFO Hong Kong's INFOrmation Pages provide an online encyclopaedia covering all aspects of "Life in Hong Kong, in English!". AngloINFO Hong Kong is your Hong Kong information source, for everyone living in Hong Kong or moving to Hong Kong, covering everything from the Hong Kong property and real estate contacts you need before and during your move to China, to all aspects of everyday life in the Hong Kong international community for those living their lives in China. » Find out more about AngloINFO in China | ||||||||||||||||||||||
