Festivals

To honor the widely revered Tin Hau, Goddess of the Sea and Patron Saint of Fishermen, locals flock to over 70 temples dedicated to her across Hong Kong. Celebrations include a colorful procession of fishing boats through Sai Kung and a three-hour parade through Yuen Long with lion dancers and marching bands.

The quirky Cheung Chau Bun Festival welcomes tens of thousands of visitors every year. Originally held to commemorate the end of a devastating plague 100 years ago, traditional celebrations include a floating colors parade, ´lucky´ bun baking and bun-gathering competitions.

The Chinese New Year is by far the biggest and most widely-celebrated festival in Hong Kong and is celebrated over a few days. Highlights include a stunning flower market at Victoria Park, followed by a night parade the next day. Proceedings are brought to an end with huge firework display over Victoria Harbour on the final day.

During Dragon Boat Festival, local teams race against each other in their fiercely decorated dragon boats with some of the biggest and most competitive in Stanley. Spectators can expect pounding drums and roaring crowds, alongside cold beers and live music on site.

Those interested in Hong Kong's street art scene will be interested to know about HKwalls, the city's annual street art festival, which takes place every March. Expect high-quality murals from both local and international street artists all around Hong Kong, exhibitions and other events. With the use of technology, digital elements make the art pieces even more interactive.

Those with a passion for poppies or devotion to daffodils need look no further to satisfy their gardening needs than this 10-day event. An oasis in this often overwhelming city, the HK Flower Show in Victoria Park presents a wide range of potted plants, landscape designs and floral arrangements.