Kowloon Events and Festivals

Tin Hau’s Birthday: Fishermen decorate their boats with ribbons and paper offerings in the hope of good weather and a plentiful catch at Joss House Bay, while Yuen Long is the site for parades and lion dances.

Ching Ming Festival: This is the day when Chinese pay respect to their dead ancestors by burning paper offerings of everyday items such as cars, houses and money.

Cheung Chau Bun Festival: You’ll be hard-pressed to find a quirkier event, as tasty buns are the focus of attention at Pak Tai Temple accompanied by parades of colourful costumes and opera performances.

Buddha’s Birthday: All of Hong Kong’s major temples hold ceremonies and bathe their statues of Buddha in a gesture of devotion and respect.

Kwan Tai’s Birthday: The god of war, who happens to be the patron deity of both the police and the triad gangsters, is honoured during this temple celebration.

Tuen Ng Festival: The ancient state minister Tuen Ng is honoured with dragon boat races watched by thousands along Hong Kong’s various rivers.

Hungry Ghost Festival: Throughout the month, people satiate hungry ghosts by burning paper offerings in the temples and streets in one of Hong Kong’s more intriguing traditional events.

Seven Sisters Festival: Needlework competitions mark this ancient festival that has its roots in a Chinese mythology involving a weaver, a cow herd and the emperor.

Monkey God Festival: In this bizarre ritual, a possessed medium recreates the Monkey God’s ordeals at the Sau Mau Ping Temple.

Confucius’ Birthday: Devout followers of the philosopher’s ideology celebrate his birthday at Confucian temples all over Hong Kong.

Mid-Autumn Festival: Moon cakes are the symbol of this important event marking the rebel uprising against the Mongols in the 14th century, and lanterns are lit from the city’s vantage points.

Joya no Kane: This traditional Chinese bell-ringing ritual brings the old year to a close and ushers in the new year at temples all over the city.

Winter Festival: To mark the shortest day of the year, residents put on new clothes and celebrate the turning point of winter with family and friends.

Chinese (Lunar) New Year: China’s main holiday sees a mass migration as millions return to Hong Kong to celebrate with family and friends.