Chinese New Year
Late January or early February
Chinese (or Lunar) New Year is Hong Kong's biggest and most important festival. A colorful celebration when gifts are exchanged, everyone gathers at home for feasting, and the children receive lai see, or ‘lucky money', in bright red envelopes for good luck. Everyone greets one another with "kung hei fat choy", which roughly translates to "good wishes, good fortune".
It is also the only time of year when most shops and businesses are closed over a three-day period (longer in some traditional industries). Food stores and markets will close, so stock up on groceries in advance.
Ching Ming Festival
An important holiday, particularly for the older and more traditional local Chinese. Thousands of Chinese visit cemeteries to clean the graves of their loved ones, leave food and wine for the spirits, and to burn paper offerings for the deceased.
Lord Buddha's Birthday
The Birthday of Lord Buddha is celebrated throughout Hong Kong and activities and celebrations take place at many of Hong Kong's temples. The celebrations are particularly big at the Po Lin Monastery on Lantau Island, the home to the biggest outdoor Buddha in the world.