Since Hong Kong was under British protection, it has a mixed culture influenced by China and the West. In Hong Kong, Chinese holidays and festivals are widely celebrated along with other music, art festivals. Here are the major events, festivals that take place throughout the year.
Tin Hau's Birthday (April)
Tin Hau is a popular Taoist sea deity. On the 23rd of the third month of the lunar calendar, her birthday is celebrated around Tin Hau Temple with a procession of dragon dancers and drummers.
Ching Ming Festival (April)
Also known as the Qingming Festival or Tomb Sweeping or Chinese Memorial Day, or Ancestors' Day. It falls on the first day (4, 5 or 6 April) of the fifth solar term of the traditional Chinese lunisolar calendar. During the festival, families clean the ancestors' gravesites, pray and make ritual offerings like food, joss sticks etc.
Cheung Chau Bun Festival (May)
It is the Taoist ritual festival in which buns are the focus of attention at Pak Tai Temple. Parades in colourful costumes and opera performances add more beauty to the festival.
Buddha's Birthday (May)
Major temples religiously bathe their statues of Buddha and decorate the place in a gesture of devotion and respect. Auspicious candles are burnt in respect of Buddha.
Dragon Boat Festival (May/June)
Dragon Boat Festival is called Tuen Ng Festival in Hong Kong. It is a traditional folk ritual celebrated by boat racing and eating dumplings. The boats are decorated like dragons. The best place to watch the races is Victoria Harbour.
Ghost Festival (August)
The Ghost Festival, or the Hungry Ghost Festival, is a traditional festival with Taoist and Buddhist origins. The festival is a celebration and worshipping of the dead ancestors. People pay homage by burning incense and joss paper.
Monkey God Festival (September)
Also known as Monkey King Festival, it is celebrated on the 16th day of the eighth moon of the lunar calendar each year. It is celebrated by burning incense and paper offerings. Taoists perform acrobatic moves on this day.
Confucius' Birthday (September)
It is celebrated at Confucian temples all over Hong Kong on the third Sunday of September. Devotion is expressed by presenting the bunch of flowers to the philosopher's ideology.
Mid-Autumn Festival (September/October)
The Mid-Autumn Festival (or Moon Festival or Mooncake Festival) is a traditional festival celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th month of the Chinese lunisolar calendar with a full moon at night (mid-September to early October). The celebration includes lighting lanterns, eating mooncakes, traditional stage shows, games, palm readings etc.
Clockenflap is a music festival famous in youngsters. Chinese pop stars, local artists and art institutions participate and show their talent in this musical event.
Winter Festival (December)
This festival is celebrated to mark the shortest day of the year. Residents put on new clothes, sing carols to enjoy and celebrate the turning point of winter. The streets and buildings are decorated with colourful lights.
Chinese New Year (January-February)
Chinese New Year (or Spring Festival or Lunar New Year) is the festival that celebrates the beginning of a new year on the traditional lunisolar Chinese calendar (January or January). It marks the end of winter and the beginning of the spring season. The windows and doors are decorated with red paper-cuts and couplets. The second day is celebrated by lion dance performances and a firework show at Victoria Harbour.
Hong Kong Art Festival (February to March)
The Hong Kong Art Festival was started in the '70s to promote local and emerging talents. Enjoy watching Chinese opera, drama, music, and theatrical performances.