2021 seemed to have slipped by for many of us, with the majority of our time spent either at home working or working in-house, in some cases. Indeed, it had not been an easy year for any of us. Regardless, with 2021 soon to be part of history, it’s about time that we look into important dates we can look forward to in the year to come.
This guide will provide you with a list of all the public holidays observed in Hong Kong in 2022. This may be used to plan your next vacation or anything else you find beneficial in your spare time.
2022 Public Holidays in Hong Kong
Because Hong Kong is an administrative area of China (rather than a province), the majority of its public holidays are inspired by those marked in Mainland China.
If you want to take a much-needed vacation with your family in 2022 because travel was so difficult in 2021 owing to the coronavirus situation, then bookmark this page so you can conveniently schedule the days when you may submit your leaves from work.
The following list of general holidays for 2022 has been published by the Hong Kong government for public reference:
January 1 (Saturday) – New Year’s Day
Hong Kong residents ring in the new year with a public holiday on January 1. The festivities begin on New Year’s Eve with a midnight celebration.
Hong Kong’s New Year Eve 2022 is a grand occasion that people celebrate lavishly. It is a celebration of Chinese tradition and Western culture.
Aside from the calendar year celebrations, Chinese New Year also comes during the 1st day of the lunar month. This event is a grand tradition that signifies the new year’s arrival.
The trendiest locations for New Year’s Eve festivities are Central, Causeway Bay, and Tsim Sha Tsui. Times Square, the eponymous mall, also holds its own New Year’s Eve ball drop event, which mimics the event held in New York City. Other areas in the city also have large scale outdoor festivities.
At midnight, if you can’t get to the Victoria Harbor to watch the fireworks, then why not head to the Two International Finance Center? It will have a massive digital display with a countdown to midnight and an impressive fireworks display.
February 1 (Tuesday) – Lunar New Year’s Day
On Chinese New Year, which is also known as the Spring Festival, people around the world celebrate by eating and drinking alcohol. This festival is also known for its various activities and events, such as:
- Hosting a large banquet for family and friends.
- Making offerings to household deities.
- Taking part in lion and dragon dances, as well as festive parades featuring acrobatic demonstrations, beating gongs, and clashing cymbals.
- Wearing new clothes, particularly in red.
On this day, children receive red envelopes with “lucky money.” They are also encouraged to let good luck enter their homes.
During the Chinese New Year, many traditions are still practiced. One of these is the offering of incense sticks on New Years Eve in Hong Kong.
During this period, people visit temples to pray for their family members. One of the most popular places to visit is the Wong Tai Sin temple.
People who follow Taoism come here to get incense sticks and make a wish. This is done by shaking the bamboo sticks that are placed inside the holder.
This ritual involves taking one of the bamboo sticks and displaying a piece of paper that says the number of sticks that are taken out. The intention is to have a good fortune.
During the holiday season, fortune tellers in the region are in demand. This practice is similar to palm reading.
Aside from the traditional rituals, Hong Kong also has a lot of shopping opportunities on New Year’s Eve. In most cases, the people go to the nearby shops to shop for gifts.
During this season, both locals and tourists indulge in buying gifts and souvenirs, which provides excellent discount to the customers.
February 2 (Wednesday) – The Second Day of Lunar New Year
It is celebrated for three days, or even four if the holiday falls on a Sunday.
This holiday falls on the first day of the New Year in China, which is the first day of the lunar New Year.
During the holiday season, Chinese communities in different parts of the world come together to celebrate. It is a time for social events, religious rituals, and the exchange of gifts.
In the evening, the sky over Victoria Harbour glows with over a thousand fireworks. The water and the city below glow in the form of over twenty thousand explosions.
The Harbourfront is filled with activity during the annual Chinese New Year Night Parade.
The annual celebration of the Chinese New Year is held on the Harbourfront in Hong Kong. This year’s event is themed “Journey to the West”.
On the second day of the lunar New Year, a government official visits the Che Kung Temple to pray and receive good luck. The annual event draws around 100,000 people.
There are also flower markets in every corner of Hong Kong.
There is a tree located at Lam Tsuen that people can use to make their own wishes come true. It has a string that is tied to an orange and is placed high in the tree.
Hong Kong Disneyland and the other theme parks make the holiday season a wonderful time for children and young adults.
February 3 (Friday) – The Third Day of Lunar New Year
During Chinese New Year, which is also known as the Year of the Pig, various festivities occur in and around Hong Kong. Some of these include dragon dances and fireworks.
The Chinese New Year Night parade in Hong Kong is a yearly event that features a variety of floats and performers. It’s also known for its colorful costumes and vibrant displays of firecrackers.
The parade begins at around 6 p.m. along various roads in the area. Spectators are advised to arrive early to secure a good spot.
The biggest fireworks display in Hong Kong is held on the second day of the Chinese New Year. It’s a spectacular display that lasts for over 23 minutes.
You can also watch the fireworks from different vantage points around the harbour.
On the third day of the Chinese New Year, it’s believed that people will start arguing and brawling if they encounter their in-law.
Thus, during the third day of the Chinese New Year,a better alterative on this day would be visiting the Sha Tin Racecourse, where thousands of people flock to the venue to watch the horses compete in the Chinese New Year Cup.
April 5 (Tuesday) – Ching Ming Festival
This festival falls on the third lunar month in the Chinese calendar. It is very ancient and is usually celebrated in April.
Ching Ming is often used as a name for events such as the Festival of Tending Graves, the Bright Festival, and Tomb Sweeping Day.
The festival is held every year on the first day of the Ching Ming Festival. This day is when many families visit the graves of their ancestors.
During their visits, the men tend to the cemetery, clean the weeds and grass, and make burnt offerings. They do this by carrying out rituals, usually involving the use of fake money.
In the ceremony, the number three is often represented by a set of chopsticks. Food offerings are also made.
This ceremony is performed before the grave of an ancestor by the head of the family. All members of the family bow their hands together in a circle around the headstone.
Some people do not go to the tombs of their ancestors on Ching Ming. Another tradition involves flying kites.
In Hong Kong, Ching Ming is widely celebrated. In other cities, people remember their family ancestors by visiting a local tomb or simply observing a day of respect.
The Ching Ming refers to the first of the 24 solar terms that can be found in the lunisolar calendar. It is the first day after the vernal equinox.
April 15 (Friday) – Good Friday
This holiday, which is also known as Good Friday and Easter Monday, gives people a four-day weekend.
About 800,000 Christians in Hong Kong attend church services on Easter. The majority of them are attending services at the Anglican, Catholic, and Orthodox churches.
Because of the lack of Easter holiday in China, many people visit the mainland to visit family and shops.
On this day, the shops and establishments in the area decorate their stores and streets with Easter eggs and Easter bunnies.
Many establishments in Hong Kong also cater for families with little ones. These include play areas and Easter egg hunts.
Le Meridien Cyberport has special packages that include kids’ packs and cinema tickets.
During the Easter holiday, many people bet at the Sha Tin racetrack. However, it is not as significant as other festivals in Hong Kong.
The Easter weekend is simply a wonderful way for people to have a long and happy weekend with their families.
April 16 (Saturday) – The day following Good Friday
April 18 (Monday) – Easter Monday
May 1 (Sunday) – Labour Day
It is a public holiday on May 1, or if it occurs on a weekend, then on May 2.
Labour Day remembers the people who fought for their right to work. It also pays tribute to those who died for their right to work.
In 1886, a general strike was held in the US. It was to protest the rights of workers, but a bomb then exploded at a gathering in Chicago.
On Labour Day in Hong Kong, thousands of workers and activists march to the government offices to protest against the government’s failure to provide fair wages and conditions.
On 1 May, ancient times also celebrated the coming of Spring. This day is also known as Labour Day in Hong Kong.
Despite the decrease in profits on this holiday, it still remains a significant public holiday in the city.
Hong Kong is famous for its theme parks and shopping. Hundreds of thousands of visitors visit the city each year to shop and visit the various attractions.
Thousands of people travel from Central to Stanley to shop for souvenirs and silk shirts. There are also a variety of food options in the area.
May 2 (Monday) – Labour Day Holiday
The concept of the Labour Day movement dates back to the 19th century. It was during this period that the rights of workers became very important.
May Day is a public holiday in Hong Kong. It is a day when different labor groups come together.
For the workers, it is a day to celebrate their rights and participation in the various activities in the city.
Hong Kong has various public and statutory holidays. These days are granted to the workers to rest and celebrate special occasions.
May 8 (Sunday) – Birthday of Buddha
Buddha’s Birthday is celebrated on the 8th day of the lunar month of April in China. It was previously observed as a day of celebration in Hong Kong after the British returned to China.
In Hong Kong, Buddhism is celebrated in the temples of Po Lin Monastery. Located on Lantau Island, this is one of the most visited temples in the city.
People also pay homage to the Ten Thousand Buddha’s Monastery in Sha Tin, which is not really a monastery.
Located in the Po Lin Monastery, the Buddha statue is the biggest and most popular tourist attraction in the area.
On this day, the body of Buddha is symbolically washed with water from nine dragons. This practice is believed to have happened as a baby.
Aside from the usual festivities, Hong Kong also holds events for this holiday. One of these is the Cheung Chau Bun Festival, which is a tradition that involves floating colored flowers.
This festival features a parade of floats and musicians on the island of Cheung Chau. It is held on the day of Buddha’s birthday.
Buddha’s birthday is a public holiday, so many attractions and restaurants will be open. This is also a good time to plan ahead so that you can avoid long lines.
May 9 (Monday) – Birthday of Buddha Holiday
While many Buddhist temples in the city will organize special ceremonies on this occasion, the best place to visit for a truly spiritual experience is the Po Lin Monastery.
Though it is usually not uncommon for people to wait several hours to get into the cable car on busy days, be prepared to endure this delay.
Shakyamuni Buddha was born in India around 3,000 years ago. Although it is believed that he was born around 1029 BC, other scholars believe that he died around 949 BC.
Shakya Buddha was the son of the Shakyas, and his kingdom was located in the foothills of the Himalayas.
Gautama was the name of his family. Siddhartha is the name of his goal achieved.
Although most Buddhists observe Buddha’s birth on April 8, the exact date of his actual birth remains unclear.
June 3 (Friday) – Tuen Ng Festival
Duanwu means double fifth in Chinese. It refers to the day of the fifth lunar month, which is also known as Tuen Ng.
The highlight of this event is when the dragon boats parade through the streets of Hong Kong. The event features teams from all around the world.
These dragon boats are massive and have crews of varying sizes. In addition to the paddles, the boats have various other features such as drums and a drummer.
The supporters on the shores and in watercraft join in the noise. They are also known to shout and drum loud to ward off evil spirits.
During Tuen Ng, there are various dragon boat races held. These usually take place at various locations around the city.
This day is also celebrated as the day when the Goddess of Heaven takes care of fishermen.
Wonderful food is a must in Tuen Ng, especially when it comes to zongzi, which are rice dumplings made from Chinese herbs.
The dumplings are washed down with alcohol or realgar wine. The atmosphere in the area is filled with live music and food markets.
Tuen Ng Festival is a Hong Kong holiday that’s marked with a public holiday. It became a holiday in China in 2005.
July 1 (Friday) – HKSAR Establishment Day
The holiday is celebrated on the day when Hong Kong’s sovereignty was transferred from Great Britain to the People’s Republic of China.
Other Hong Kong citizens may also celebrate Chinese patriotism or the growth of Hong Kong’s economy.
Hong Kong’s history as a special administrative region can be traced back to the 19th century.
During the 1800s, the British Empire tried to expand its power through the use of international diplomacy and economic expansion.
Once the colony was established, the locals would be exploited. The majority of the profits were given to the British.
As the demand for opium grew, the British companies started selling the drug to Chinese individuals.
China’s epidemic of opium addiction has led to many social and health problems.
Eventually, the British government admitted that the opium problem in China was caused by the British.
China lost the war after it was heavily outgunned and surrendered to the British Empire.
The British government agreed to leave China as long as the Treaty of Nanjing was signed.
This gave Great Britain exclusive control over Hong Kong for 99 years.
During the British era, Hong Kong’s economy was relatively stable. It became an economic power in East Asia.
In 1982, Thatcher and Deng Xiaoping discussed the future of Hong Kong during their meeting.
They then decided that Hong Kong would remain under the One Country, Two Systems policy for 50 years.
Hong Kong will maintain its current economic model during this period. This will be the case until the end of the year.
In 1997, the UK officially handed Hong Kong to China. The event was widely televised and sparked debate about the future of the city.
On Special Administrative Region Day, it is often centered on politics.
Many of the protesters in Hong Kong use the holiday to express their displeasure with the government’s actions and human rights violations.
On Special Administrative Region Day, many protesters wear black clothes.
On this day, Hong Kong marks the transition from the UK to China.
September 12 (Monday) – The Day Following Mid-Autumn Festival
In the Gregorian calendar, the day after a festival is a public holiday in Hong Kong.
This festival, which is held during the Shang Dynasty, is a time for people to thank the moon god for the bountiful harvest. It is also a time for prayer.
The festival features a variety of lanterns, from ancient to modern. The highlight of the event is the grand procession of lanterns, which is held every evening.
One of the best things to watch in Hong Kong is the lion dance, which is performed in various locations across the city.
Many towns and villages in Victoria have special attractions that are only made visible through their festivals.
Many towns and villages in Singapore also have special attractions that are incorporated in the atmosphere. Some of these include Victoria Harbour, Victoria Park, and Causeway Bay.
The most popular type of treat during the festival is the moon cakes, which are usually eaten by everyone. Since they are the most popular treat during the event, they are often referred to as the Moon Cake Festival.
The male hairy crab is very popular during the Mid-Autumn Festival. It is usually accompanied by Chinese wines or a ginger tea.
October 1 (Saturday) – National Day
Hong Kong has a very proud and long history. It went back to being a British Colony until 1997, when it was handed back to China.
National Day is a day that is now celebrated across the PRC, including mainland China and Macau. It was previously a day that was celebrated only in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong holds various ceremonies to commemorate the National Day. In addition, various groups and individuals march and display their various equipment.
The Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong is awash in food and fireworks. Many establishments overlooking the area hold their own special occasions and parties.
Groups and families have come from all around Victoria Harbour to watch the fireworks.
They come with their own picnic rugs, food hampers, and music and drinks.
Beyond the festivities, there is also an event that draws in international gamblers – the National Day Cup, which is held at the Sha Tin Racecourse.
The Cup is still an event for national pride. It is opened by a member of the parliament and the National Anthem is played.
National Day is a day full of fun and memorable events. No matter where people go, there are plenty of events that make the day memorable and entertaining.
October 4 (Tuesday) – Chung Yeung Festival
On the day of Chinese lunar calendar, this day is regarded as the ninth day of the lunar month. It falls on the 29th day of the month of October.
This is a similar day to Ching Ming’s Memorial Day, which is also commemorated in Taiwan and Hong Kong.
It is a tradition for families to climb the mountains to visit their ancestors’ graves. This practice was started after the wise man told the family of singer Jing Huan to visit their ancestors’ graves.
Because he was away from his family, the villagers killed him and his family.
It is a day of remembering those who have died. Unfortunately, due to the number of people who go to the hills to visit graves and offer burnt offerings, there has been a rise in hill fires.
If Chung Yeung falls on a Sunday, the following day is a public holiday. This means that many attractions are open and busy, especially during the morning and afternoon.
Kite flying is a fun tradition at Chung Yeung. It involves carrying a kite with a string of bad luck.
December 25 (Sunday) – Christmas Day
Around the world, Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ on December 25, which is also known as Christmas Day.
WinterFest is a yearly event organized by the Hong Kong Tourism Board. It usually runs from November to January.
This time of year, the streets are filled with Santa’s helpers dressed in red suits with white beards. The buildings are also decorated with fake snow.
From the moment they step off the train at Central Station, they will be rewarded with a spectacular view of the city.
The spirit of Christmas is also found in the people who make it happen. This season, groups and individuals present Christmas carols in various public places.
On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, many churches organize special services to commemorate the birth of Christ. Some churches even have children’s pageants and sing carols.
During the days leading up to Christmas, people start searching for the perfect gifts for their friends and family. It is a tradition that most people look forward to each year.
On Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, gifts are given out to children. The brightly wrapped presents are placed under the tree and the kids are the center of the day.
December 26 (Monday) – The first weekday after Christmas Day
December 27 (Tuesday) – Christmas Holiday
A Government spokesman said, “As Labour Day and the Birthday of the Buddha in 2022 both fall on a Sunday, the day following them will be designated as a general holiday in substitution. In addition, since the day following the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival in 2022 falls on a Sunday, the second day following that Festival will be designated as a general holiday in substitution. Furthermore, as Christmas Day in 2022 falls on a Sunday, the second weekday after Christmas Day will be designated as a general holiday in substitution.”
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