Hong Kong Travel Trade Manual

Events & Festivals

Sixth & Seventh Moons

(July/August/September)

Seven Sisters Festival (Day 7 of Seventh Moon)

This is essentially a celebration for girls and young

lovers. The festival has its origin in Chinese folklore

dating back more than 1,500 years.

Hungry Ghosts [Yue Laan] Festival (Day 15 of

Seventh Moon)

For one lunar month each year, ghosts are said to roam

the Earth, having been temporarily released from the

underworld. In some areas of Hong Kong, visitors can

see small roadside fires, where believers burn paper

money and other offerings to appease the restless spirits.

Eighth Moon

(September/October)

Mid-Autumn Festival (Day 15)

One of the most charming and picturesque of Hong

Kong’s traditional festivals takes place when the harvest

moon is full. Families gather in city and country parks,

on beaches and hilltops, and surround themselves with

candles and beautiful colourful lanterns. The dance by a

67-metre-long “fire dragon” in Tai Hang is also not to be

missed.

Ninth Moon

(October/November)

Chung Yeung Festival (Day 9)

Also known as Autumn Remembrance, this festival is

similar to Ching Ming in the spring. Families journey to

the graves of their ancestors to perform cleansing rites

and pay their respects. It is also a day for climbing as

families head into the hills to picnic.

Tenth, Eleventh & Twelfth Moons

(November/December/January)

The Tenth, Eleventh and Twelfth Moons are generally

quieter times due to the cold weather in northern China,

but some small festivals do take place during this period

(most notably Winter Solstice and Chinese New Year’s

Eve). To fill the gap, November to January is a popular

time of year in Hong Kong for weddings.

Check out

for the dates of the

traditional Chinese festivals that are widely observed in

Hong Kong.

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