Local Festivals & Events in Hong Kong

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Local Festivals & Events in Hong Kong

Hong Kong residents celebrate traditional Chinese holidays throughout the year beginning with the longest and most significant holiday of all, Chinese New Year.

• For details of Chinese festivals in Hong Kong from the Hong Kong Tourist Board (HKTB): Click here

Chinese New Year

Government 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 Festival

Since 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 Arts Festival
  At: 12/F Hong Kong Arts Centre, 2 Harbour Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong
  Tel: 2824 2430
  Website

Hong Kong International Film Festival

The three-week festival in March and April premieres hundreds of local and international films, documentaries and programmes at cinemas throughout the territory.

• Hong Kong International Film Festival
  At: 7/F United Chinese Bank Building, 31 Des Voeux Road, Central, Hong Kong
  Tel: 2970 3300
  e-mail
  Website

Hong Kong Sevens

Dozens 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.

• Hong Kong Rugby Football Union
  At: Room 2001 Olympic House, 1 Stadium Path, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
  Tel: 2504 8311
  e-mail
  Website

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 Dragon Boat Association
  At: Room 1032, Olympic House, 1 Stadium Path, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
  Tel: 2504 8332
  e-mail
  Website

Hong Kong Marathon

Runners 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.

• Hong Kong Amateur Athletic Association
  Marathon Secretariat
  At:  P.O. Box 79494, Mongkok Post Office, Kowloon
  Tel: 2577 0800
  e-mail
  Website

Tin Hau Festival

Celebrating 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.

• Further information from the HKTB website: Click here

Cheung Chau Bun Festival

Held 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.

• Further information from the HKTB website: Click here 

Mid-Autumn Festival

Held 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.

• Further information from the HKTB website: Click here

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