I've been living in Hong Kong for almost two years now and I've been to a host of festivals in this amazing city, Here's my top 5 festivals. These are my own opinions and also in no real order of preference, to make it easier I have put them in chronological order.
1. Chinese New Year!!
The most popular one! Hong Kong is the same as the rest of China when the new year comes round - it's a national holiday and there are loads of celebrations going on! The lion dance, eat special Chinese food outside in never ending market stalls, dress like a Chinese person, eat hotpot and barbecues...The best places to celebrate are Tsim Sha Tsui, Mong Kok and Victoria Park. But they will be packed to the rafters - this is the party season!
When? - Normally January or February (changes due to the Chinese Calendar). It lasts for a whole week!
2. Dragon Boat Carnival!!
The Dragon Boat Carnival is a single day boat race with a Chinese story behind it. Hundreds of custom made boats and styles take part in a load of races and often charity events on the coast line of Hong Kong. You can join up and row or simply bring some food and drink and watch!
Officially it's actually a day of holiday to commemorate the death of a Chinese national hero who drowned himself in a protest, but these days it's a fun and entertaining day out rather than anything remotely morbid.
When? - Usually on a weekend at the start or middle of June.
3. Mid Autumn Festival!!!
The mid-Autumn Festival is excellent. The weather isn't too hot. You can sample the amazing mooncake, a Chinese style cake which is only available during Mid-Autumn Festival and it comes in many varieties. My top choice of mooncake is blueberry or the white chocolate one, but also make sure you try the original one - it is made with egg inside it! At night there is a great vibe with kids playing with lanterns in the streets and everywhere lit up. As world festivals go this is quite a novelty, and this lantern craze is best witnessed in Hong Kong, because mainland Chinese people only do the traditional lanterns. In Hong Kong these lanterns can be Pokemon, elephants or anything really!
When? - Again this totally depends on the Chinese Calendar but usually end of September to early October time. It's a 1 day national holiday.
4. German Beer Festival!
So you're telling me I should go all the way to Hong Kong and then drink beer from Germany? Yes I am, mainly because this is a rare time in the Hong Kong year where the locals actually let their hair down and try to party like Europeans. It's funny watching the Chinese dance to the music of Chemical Brothers, Red Hot Chili Peppers and DJ Otzi! Plus it's a really amazing atmosphere. Who wouldn't want to drink beer and eat pork joints when your backdrop is countless sky scrapers and a setting sun...
When? - It normally lasts a month from the middle of October into early November.
5. Hong Kong Wine and Dine Festival!!
Did you really think that Hong Kong (and a lot of Asia) doesn't enjoy the finer things in life like beer and wine? The Annual Wine and Dine Festival is a fantastic place to meet up with mates, listen to local music, try hundreds of wines and eat a selection of international foods. Plus it's a totally amazing place to watch the sunset in November!
When? - Usually November (for 3-4 days)
So come to Hong Kong and try these incredible festivals - these are just a few of the many on offer in this city! There are loads more festivals in Hong Kong (such as Christmas, The Hong Kong SAR Establishment Day, Halloween Party in Lan Kwai Fong). Hong Kong is a place of suprisingly eclectic entertainment.
1. Chinese New Year!!
The most popular one! Hong Kong is the same as the rest of China when the new year comes round - it's a national holiday and there are loads of celebrations going on! The lion dance, eat special Chinese food outside in never ending market stalls, dress like a Chinese person, eat hotpot and barbecues...The best places to celebrate are Tsim Sha Tsui, Mong Kok and Victoria Park. But they will be packed to the rafters - this is the party season!
When? - Normally January or February (changes due to the Chinese Calendar). It lasts for a whole week!
2. Dragon Boat Carnival!!
The Dragon Boat Carnival is a single day boat race with a Chinese story behind it. Hundreds of custom made boats and styles take part in a load of races and often charity events on the coast line of Hong Kong. You can join up and row or simply bring some food and drink and watch!
Officially it's actually a day of holiday to commemorate the death of a Chinese national hero who drowned himself in a protest, but these days it's a fun and entertaining day out rather than anything remotely morbid.
When? - Usually on a weekend at the start or middle of June.
3. Mid Autumn Festival!!!
The mid-Autumn Festival is excellent. The weather isn't too hot. You can sample the amazing mooncake, a Chinese style cake which is only available during Mid-Autumn Festival and it comes in many varieties. My top choice of mooncake is blueberry or the white chocolate one, but also make sure you try the original one - it is made with egg inside it! At night there is a great vibe with kids playing with lanterns in the streets and everywhere lit up. As world festivals go this is quite a novelty, and this lantern craze is best witnessed in Hong Kong, because mainland Chinese people only do the traditional lanterns. In Hong Kong these lanterns can be Pokemon, elephants or anything really!
When? - Again this totally depends on the Chinese Calendar but usually end of September to early October time. It's a 1 day national holiday.
4. German Beer Festival!
So you're telling me I should go all the way to Hong Kong and then drink beer from Germany? Yes I am, mainly because this is a rare time in the Hong Kong year where the locals actually let their hair down and try to party like Europeans. It's funny watching the Chinese dance to the music of Chemical Brothers, Red Hot Chili Peppers and DJ Otzi! Plus it's a really amazing atmosphere. Who wouldn't want to drink beer and eat pork joints when your backdrop is countless sky scrapers and a setting sun...
When? - It normally lasts a month from the middle of October into early November.
5. Hong Kong Wine and Dine Festival!!
Did you really think that Hong Kong (and a lot of Asia) doesn't enjoy the finer things in life like beer and wine? The Annual Wine and Dine Festival is a fantastic place to meet up with mates, listen to local music, try hundreds of wines and eat a selection of international foods. Plus it's a totally amazing place to watch the sunset in November!
When? - Usually November (for 3-4 days)
So come to Hong Kong and try these incredible festivals - these are just a few of the many on offer in this city! There are loads more festivals in Hong Kong (such as Christmas, The Hong Kong SAR Establishment Day, Halloween Party in Lan Kwai Fong). Hong Kong is a place of suprisingly eclectic entertainment.
About the Author:
To find more articles like Top 5 Hong Kong Festivals check out Jonny Blair's extensive global travel, work and lifestyle website Dont Stop Living for excellent tips and inspiring stories.. This article, The Best 5 Festivals in Hong Kong has free reprint rights.
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