Celebrations
abound almost every day in Hong Kong, including:
Festivals add
even more color and exuberance to Hong Kong's lively streets.
Quite simply, being in Hong Kong during a major Chinese festival
is the experience of a lifetime. Festivals occur throughout the
year, so you may be lucky enough to see one during your visit. In
addition, there are many special events throughout the year. Click
here for a complete guide to upcoming Events.
First
Moon, Day 1
(January/February)
Chinese New Year
The celebrations of the Chinese New Year offer a fascinating look
into traditional Chinese culture. From a spectacular parade to
traditional flower markets, the Chinese New Year celebration is
one you'll never forget.
First
Moon, Day 15
(January/February)
Spring Lantern Festival
Held on the 15th day of the Lunar New Year, this festival marks
the end of the Chinese New Year celebrations. colorful lanterns in
traditional designs decorate market stalls, homes, restaurants and
temples.
Third
Moon, Day 23
(April/May)
Birthday of Tin Hau
On the birthday of Tin Hau, the Goddess of the Sea, fishermen
decorate their boats and gather at her temples to pray for good
catches during the coming year. Beyond the traditional rites at
the temple, parades with colorful floats and lion dances take
place. There is an organized tour to see the celebrations and
visit a century old Tin Hau Temple.
Fourth Moon, Day
8
(April/May)
Cheung Chau Bun Festival
Celebrated on the 8th day of the fourth lunar month every year,
the Bun Festival is one of Hong Kong's most colorful festivals and
an important event for all Cheung Chau island residents. It is Pak
Tai, a Taoist deity known as King of the Underworld, to whom boat
people, fishermen and island residents pray for protection against
evil spirits. Giant Bun Towers, each measuring 16 meters tall,
covered with layers of pink-and-white lotus paste buns, will be erected outside the Pak Tai Temple in honor of the deity. A parade
of dragon dances, lion dances, unicorn dances and acrobats will
wind through the grand stand and the narrow streets on the island.
The stars of the parade are youngsters who dress in costumes with
heavy make-up and are tied to an intricate system of rods and
wires and float above the heads of the crowd. To experience the
island life and the Bun Festival celebrations, a special tour is
designed to enable visitors to visit the two most popular outlying
islands of Lamma Island and Cheung Chau Island.
Fifth
Moon, Day 5
(June)
Dragon Boat Festival
One of Hong Kong's most exciting festivals, the Dragon Boat
Festival commemorates the death of a Chinese hero Qu Yuan, who
drowned himself in protest against a corrupt government in the 3rd
century B.C. Legend says that in their attempt to rescue him,
townspeople beat drums and threw dumplings into the sea to keep
the fish away from Qu Yuan's body. Today, to symbolize the rescue
attempts, people eat dumplings, swim in the river and teams race
elaborately decorated dragon boats to the beat of pounding drums
and the roar of the crowds. Check out the venues of the dragon
boat races held along the coastal areas of Hong Kong.
Seventh
Moon, Day 15
(August/September)
Hungry Ghost Festival
It is said that ghosts roam the world every year for a lunar
month. Local festivals feature elaborate parades with food
offerings and small roadside fires, where believers burn paper
money to appease the restless spirits.
Eighth
Moon, Day 15
(September/October)
Mid-Autumn Festival
The Mid-Autumn Festival celebrates the harvest moon and is a
special time for children and families, who take colorful lanterns
to parks, beaches and hilltops to gaze at the moon. The Fire
Dragon dance is an important celebration.
Celebrations
abound almost every day in Hong Kong, including: