Top Summer Festivals in Hong Kong | Hong Kong Fests

Hong Kong is lined with exciting festivals and events throughout the year. There seems to always be something happening in every corner of the island. From art festivals and modern or classical performances to food festivals, the country offers a unique insight into traditional Chinese and local life as well as the living culture of Hong Kong. These summer festivals in Hong Kong have made this a living, breathtaking cultural experience, unlike anyone else in Asia or even the world, and not to be missed.

List of Summer Festivals in Hong Kon

1. Tin Hau Festival 

The Tin Hau Festival is one of the most celebrated Chinese festivals in Hong Kong. It is usually celebrated annually in April or May. During the popular summer festival in Hong Kong; people gather to celebrate the birthday of Tin Hau, the goddess of the sea. If you’ve been to Hong Kong, you’ll notice that there are many Tin Hau temples on the island. What is unique about the festival is that you can see various performances and parades, such as Chinese opera, as well as dragon and lion dances, which bring a festive atmosphere, coupled with vivid memories in honor of the deity. The festival is celebrated not only by the older generation but also by the younger ones. Large-scale ceremonies are usually held on a few outlying islands, as well as in Joss House Bay, Tuen Mun, Kowloon City, Tai Po and Yuen Long. Some churches and villages celebrate the festival at different times. While you’re here, just watch the colorful procession and enjoy the dragon and lion dance performance

When: April.

2. Hungry Ghost Festival

If we believe in Chinese mythology, the seventh month of the lunar calendar is when ghosts and spirits roam freely on earth and people are said to be reconciled through a series of rituals. Sacrifice for their ancestors is the main ceremony, so it can be seen that the locals offer food, artificial money, and other things to the spirits of their ancestors for their afterlife. This festival is celebrated on the 15th day of the seventh month of the lunar calendar in some Southeast Asian countries and is one of the most famous summer festivals in Hong Kong. Many other cultural performances are also organized during the festival, which will captivate visitors.

When: Early September

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3. Cheung Chau Bun Festival 

If you visit Hong Kong towards the end of April or the beginning of May, you will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in a unique festival – it’s nothing more than the Cheung Chau Bun Festival. A unique cultural experience, covered with huge bamboo towers, sweet buns, and not to be missed. This top summer festival in Hong Kong pays homage to the Taoist god, Pak Tai, and comes with four days of music, parades, and sweet rolls. The main venue of the festival is in front of the famous Pak Tai Temple on Cheung Chau Island. The main event is the bun mixing competition. Whoever climbs up and gets the bun on top first wins the race. You can also grab the titles, King and Queen Bun. Everyone from locals to tourists will be vegetarian during the festival, and meat is not allowed during this time.

When: April-May

4. Qingming Festival

The Qingming or Ching Ming Festival is one of the ancient summer festivals in Hong Kong celebrated mainly by the Han Chinese in many countries in Southeast Asia. This is another occasion that includes ancient worship. People go to the graves and tombs of their ancestors, sweep them away, weed and incense. Wine tasting and food sacrifice to the graves of the ancestors are also important ceremonies held by families during the festival. If you are in Hong Kong during your third lunar month, you can join a family on your career and satisfy your curiosity about the local culture.

When: April

5. Dragon Boat Festival 

The main highlights of the festival are the fierce-looking dragon boats competing in a vibrant, colorful spectacle. It is usually held on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month. Head over to Victoria Harbor where you can see different teams competing at the pace of the drums. Special ships over 10 meters ornately carved and painted dragon heads and tails. Each boat can carry up to 23 oars at a time. The rower reaches its finish line with all its energy, accompanied by a loud cheering crowd and the pounding of the drums. It is very interesting to see both the front drummer and the rear helmsman working together to compete towards the goal.

When: Late June

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6. Buddha’s Birthday

The birthday of Lord Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, is of course one of the biggest summer festivals in Hong Kong. This day is celebrated in either April or May, depending on when the eighth day of the fourth lunar month falls. Across Hong Kong, all major streets and markets can be seen painted in festive shades for at least a week. A lot of overseas tourists also come and take part in the ceremony. Cultural enthusiasts are advised to visit the Po Lin Monastery on Lantau Island to learn about the various rituals and witness the festivities from a closer distance as this church enjoys unparalleled reverence

When: April

7. Hung Shing Festival

The Hung Shing Festival, which falls on the 13th day of the second lunar month, is the birthday celebration of Hung Shing Tai Wong, the god of the South Sea. Thanks to Hung Shing’s respect here, this should be one of the most significant summer festivals in Hong Kong. This is the perfect opportunity for foreigners to visit Hong Kong to soak up the festive atmosphere and join the locals on their holidays. There are nearly 20 Hung Shing temples in Hong Kong, where various traditional activities and demonstrations are organized. If you are wondering what would be the best place to witness the true spirit of this festival, Ap Lei Chau, Tai Kok Tsui, and Ho Sheung Heung temples are recommended.

When:  March

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Hope you enjoyed the brief list of the top 5 summer festivals in Hong Kong that offer umpteen beach sports and fabulous scenic views of the city. There are various famous spots at the mentioned Festivals of All Seasons Celebrated in Hong Kong which delivers many attractions. For more engaging blogs like these head on to our other blogs and ping us in the comment sections below if you hold any queries regarding the travel destinations.

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