| Hong Kong Chinese Festivals for 2008 |
| Date |
Festival |
Description |
| 7th February |
Chinese New Year |
Chinese New Year celebrations starting the Year of the Rat. |
| 8th February |
Birthday of Che Kung |
Many centuries ago, Che Kung (a Sung Dynasty General) saved Sha Tin Valley from a plague. People visit the temple for good fortune. |
| 21st February |
Spring Lantern Festival |
Often called Chinese Valentine`s Day. It represents the end of the Chinese lunar new year festivals. |
| 4th April |
Ching Ming |
Ching Ming (clear & bright) is a festival where people seek blessings from ancestors who have passed away. Graves are cleaned, paper money is burned for those in the afterlife and offering of food and wine are made. |
| 28th April |
Tin Hau (Goddess of the Sea) |
Fishermen or anyone who makes a living from the sea will celebrate Tin Hau`s birthday for prosperity, safety & good luck. |
| 12th May |
Cheung Chau Bun Festival |
A colorful procession takes place on the island of Cheung Chau where steam buns are offered to the spirits at Pak Tai Temple to appease them for the disturbance caused in building the temple. |
| 12th May |
Birthday of Lord Buddha |
As Buddhism is the major religion, Lord Buddha`s birthday is celebrated by all temples on this day. |
| 12th May |
Birthday of Tam Kung |
Celebrated by fishermen as it brings them happiness & security. |
| 8th June |
International Dragon Boat Races |
The Tuen Ng festival attracts teams from many countries which take part in the Dragon Boat Races. |
| 26th July |
Birthday of Kwan Tai |
Kwan Tai is the God of War and is worshipped by police & gangsters. |
| 7th August |
Seven Sisters Festival |
Centuries old celebration for young girls and lovers. |
| 14th August |
Hungry Ghost Festival |
People burn money & make offerings to the spirit world as ghosts roam the earth for one lunar month. |
| 14th September |
Mid-Autumn Festival |
People eat sweet 'moon cakes' & Causeway Bay has a spectacular fire dragon dance to celebrate 14th century fight against Mongols. |
| 15th September |
Monkey God Festival |
Dating back to the Ming Dynasty, people worship the playful Monkey God by making offerings & lighting incense. The Monkey God Temple is in Sau Mau Ping in Kowloon. |
| 26th September |
Birthday of Confucius |
Birthday celebrating one of China's greatest philosophers. |
| 7th October |
Chung Yeung Festival |
Families pay respects and perform rituals at the graves of their ancestors. |
| 21st December |
Dong Zhi (Winter Solstice) Festival |
Celebrating the coming of winter on the longest night of the year. Based on ying & yang. People visit relations with gifts and celebrate into the night. |
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