Good to know
Good to Know
- Chinese New Year attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors; book accommodations well in advance as prices soar during January–February.
- Most lunar calendar festivals change dates annually but typically fall in the months listed. Check official calendars for exact dates.
- The Chinese New Year Night Parade in Tsim Sha Tsui is free to watch from the roadside; arrive several hours early to secure a good viewing spot.
- Victoria Harbour fireworks on Chinese New Year's second day are one of Hong Kong's most iconic spectacles, lasting about 25 minutes.
- The Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance during Mid-Autumn Festival is a unique Hong Kong tradition; expect large crowds but a magical atmosphere of incense, drums, and ancient ritual.
- Zongzi (sticky rice dumplings) during Dragon Boat Festival and mooncakes during Mid-Autumn Festival are essential seasonal foods found throughout the city.
- Many public holidays cluster around lunar festivals; shops, offices, and some restaurants may have reduced hours or closures.
- The Hong Kong Tourism Board organizes major events; check their official website (discoverhongkong.com) for confirmed 2026 dates and detailed schedules.
Events
Chinese New Year (Lunar New Year)
- Month
- January–February
- Admission
- Free for most events; some seating sections may have ticketed areas
- 2026 Dates
- February 17–March 3
- Duration Days
- 15
- Description
- Hong Kong's most important festival, celebrating the start of the lunar calendar with parades, fireworks, temple visits, and family reunions. The official public holiday runs 3 days.
Key Activities
- Chinese New Year Night Parade in Tsim Sha Tsui (first day of lunar new year)
- Victoria Harbour fireworks display (second day, approximately 25 minutes)
- Chinese New Year horse racing at Sha Tin Racecourse (third day)
- Flower markets throughout the city
- Lantern Festival and lantern carnivals (15th day, marks end of celebrations)
- Lam Tsuen Wishing Trees tradition
- Temple visits (Wong Tai Sin, Che Kung temples)
Tuen Ng Festival (Dragon Boat Festival)
- Month
- May–June
- Admission
- Free for most spectator locations; some venues may charge for premium seating
- 2026 Dates
- June 19 – July 1 (public holiday on June 19)
- Duration Days
- 13
- Description
- Ancient 2,000+ year old festival commemorating poet Qu Yuan, celebrated with competitive dragon boat races across Hong Kong's waterways. The festival has evolved into an international sporting event.
- 50th Anniversary Note
- 2026 marks the 50th anniversary of Hong Kong's international dragon boat racing tradition, expanded to 13-day citywide celebration.
Key Activities
- Dragon boat races at Victoria Harbour, Stanley, Aberdeen, Tai Po, Sha Tin, Tai O
- Sun Life Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races (main event, 220+ teams from 16 countries/regions)
- Tai O Deities Parade (unique to Tai O)
- Eating traditional zongzi (sticky rice dumplings)
- Food markets and live entertainment
Mid-Autumn Festival
- Month
- September–October
- Admission
- Free for most celebrations; lantern displays and performances are free to watch
- 2026 Dates
- September 26 (festival day; public holiday on September 27)
- Duration Days
- 7
- Cultural Significance
- Rooted in the legend of Chang'e, the Moon Goddess, and themes of family reunion and completeness
- Description
- Harvest festival celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month with family gatherings, moon-gazing, lantern displays, and traditional mooncakes. The day after the festival is a public holiday.
Key Activities
- Lantern carnivals (largest at Victoria Park)
- Moon-gazing at various parks and waterfront locations
- Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance (century-old tradition with 12,000 burning incense sticks, unique to Hong Kong)
- Eating mooncakes (traditional pastries with cultural significance)
- Lion dances across multiple locations
- Lantern riddle-solving tradition
Other Notable Cultural Events
Buddha's Birthday
- Month
- April
- Key Activity
- Ritual bathing of Buddha statue reviving the legend of nine dragons
- Description
- Celebrated at Po Lin Monastery on Lantau Island with rituals of bathing Buddha statues.
Tin Hau Festival
- Month
- March
- Key Activity
- Fa Pau (Floral Cannons) spectacle unique to this celebration
- Description
- Honors the Goddess of the Sea with street processions, lion dances, and performances across 70+ temples.
Cheung Chau Bun Festival
- Month
- April–May (4th lunar month)
- Note
- Located on outer island; day-trip distance from city center
- Description
- Week-long festival on island of Cheung Chau honoring deity Pak Tai with colorful celebrations.
Hungry Ghost Festival
- Month
- August–September (15th day of 7th lunar month)
- Description
- Celebrates release of deceased spirits with incense burning, food offerings, and temporary stage performances of Chinese opera.
- Cultural Note
- Locals traditionally avoid staying out late during month-long event
Hong Kong International Film Festival
- Month
- March–April
- Screening Venues
- Multiple cultural venues across Hong Kong
- Description
- One of Asia's oldest film festivals showcasing outstanding local, Chinese, and Asian films with international premieres.
Hong Kong Arts Festival
- Month
- February–March
- Description
- Major cultural event featuring diverse performances and exhibitions of local and international art.
Hong Kong Book Fair
- Month
- July
- Ticket Price
- HK$30
- Description
- Annual book fair with cultural events, literary talks, and exhibitions across the city.
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this signature annual events research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
- 1.discoverhongkong.com
- 2.discoverhongkong.com
- 3.discoverhongkong.com
- 4.chinahighlights.com
- 5.publicholidays.hk
- 6.publicholidays.hk
- 7.publicholidays.hk
- 8.chinahighlights.com
- 9.timeout.com
- 10.becoming-carmen.com
- 11.hongkongcheapo.com
- 12.discoverhongkong.com
- 13.breakingtravelnews.com
- 14.timeout.com
- 15.discoverhongkong.com
More About Hong Kong
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.