Hong Kong Festivals and Events
May 2014

The top Hong Kong Festivals and events for May 2014 feature an array of colorful festivals including Buddha bathing ceremonies, and the one-of-a-kind bun-scrambling contest at the Cheung Chau Bun Festival. In the cultural front, May welcomes Asia's premier art event, Art Basel Hong Kong.

Here's this month's line-up:

• Cheung Chau Bun Festival - May 3 - 7, 2014

• Birthday of Buddha Celebrations - May 6, 2014

• Birthday of Tam Kung, the Seafarer's God - May 6, 2014

• Art Basel Hong Kong - May 15 - 18, 2014

• Stanley Dragon Boat Warm-Up Races - May 10, 2014

Also check-out these popular ongoing events during May 2014:

• Free cultural exhibitions: Kung Fu, Tai Chi, Feng Shui

• The Symphony of Lights, Hong Kong's light and sound show

• Victoria Harbour Cruises

• It's race time! The Horse Races at Happy Valley are on!

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The Cheung Chau Bun Festival - May 3-7, 2014

A very colorful and unique festival in the island of Cheung Chau, just a short ferry ride away. The Cheung Chau Bun Festival has been celebrated for hundreds of years and is dedicated to the god Pak Tai, in thanks for protecting the island and to drive away the evil spirits.

One trademark of the festival is the huge bamboo mountains covered with handmade buns which are set up near the Pak Tai Temple where the majority of the celebrations take place.

There are the parades, lion dances, the many rituals and of course lots of drumming!

This is a very lively event, not to be missed if you are in Hong Kong during this period.

When? This is a week-long celebration starting on May 3 and culminating on May 7, 2014:

• Parade: May 6, 2014 - 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
• Bun Scrambling Contest: May 6, 2014 - 11:30 p.m.

Getting to Cheung Chau: 40 or 60 minutes with ferries from Central Pier #5 approx. every 30 minutes. The fast ferry is an enclosed cabin, the standard or slow one is a much more scenic way to get there on the outside decks.

For Ferry Schedule and Ticket information go to the First Ferry Website.

More on the Cheung Chau Bun Festival

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The Birthday of Lord Buddha - May 6, 2014

A celebration that will be observed at most monasteries, shrines and buddhist temples in Hong Kong to commemorate the birth of Buddha as worshippers and followers flock to the temples to pay their respects. The "Bathing of the Buddha" Ceremony is performed as part of the festivities.

One of the biggest celebrations is at the Hong Kong Big Buddha in Lantau and the nearby Po Lin Monastery.

Here's more on the Buddha Birthday and this year's celebrations.

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The Birthday of Tam Kung - May 6, 2014

Tam Kung, together with Tin Hau, is considered the protector of the fishermen and the seas, and so there is also a festival in his honor, on the eight day of the fourth moon, this year on the Western calendar it will be celebrated on May 6, 2014.

The festivities take place by the Tam Kung Temple in Hong Kong island and involve a large parade with the colorful dragon and lion dances, lots of drumming, acrobats and performers accompanying the floats and the procession.

When?: May 6, 2014 - Parade from 9:00 am to 2:30 pm

How to get there?: The Tam Kung Temple in Shau Kei Wan can be easily reached with the MTR: MTR Shau Kei Wan Station Exit D1, about a 5 minute walk to Tam Kung Temple Road, just follow the crowds.

Here's more on the Birthday of Tam Kung Celebrations.

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Second Edition of Art Basel Hong Kong - May 15 - 18, 2014

Art Basel Hong Kong on its second edition, will be bringing the art world together once again as galleries, artists, collectors and art enthusiasts from Asia and all over the world flock to this most prestigious of international art events.

Recognised as the premier art event in Asia, this is where you get to see the latest developments in art from across Asia as well as the best from the West.
When?: May 15 - 18, 2014

Where?: The Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre

How Much? Weekday ticket HK250, weekend ticket HK300, two and four-day tickets also available

More Info: Art Basel Hong Kong

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Stanley Dragon Boat Warm-Up Races - May 10, 2014

The Dragon Boat Festival is fast approaching and the Stanley Dragon Boat Warm Up Races are the perfect prelude to the most anticipated Dragon Boat International Championships coming up on June 2, 2014.

This is a great chance to take a peek at what is to come. The Warm Up races differ a bit from the regular races, the course is shorter and the number of paddlers is limited to 18, but although on a smaller scale, it is still a very exciting fun-filled day of dragon boat racing with the same action-packed festival atmosphere and enthusiasm as the main event.

When?: May 10, 2014, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Where?: Stanley Main Beach. Click here for more on Stanley Market, Stanley Beach and how to get there

How Much? Free!

Check out this short clip of the Stanley Dragon Boat Warm-Up Races held in the previous years:

Here's more on the Dragon Boat Festival and the Stanley Warm-Up Races

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Ongoing Hong Kong Events for May, 2014

These are some popular ongoing events that are worth checking out, specially since they are FREE!

These events feature some of the great and ancient traditions of the territory and are offered by experts in their corresponding fields:

Tai Chi Class

Lion Dance Demo

Feng Shui Class

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The Symphony of Lights

The Symphony of Lights is Hong Kong's light and sound show, a tribute to the city and its people, their diversity, energy and vitality.

The stage is the entire city, which is what makes it so unique, you can watch the lights from just about anywhere in the waterfront.

This free show offered by the city, takes place every night at 8:00 pm and lasts aboout 15 minutes.

When?: Every Night

Where?: Can be seen from both sides of Victoria Harbour

How Much? Free

Click here for more on Hong Kong's Symphony of Lights and best spots to watch.

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The Happy Valley Horse Races

Happy Valley Hong Kong whether or not you are a horse racing enthusiast is an experience not to be missed!

The beautiful horses, the skillful jockeys, the crowds going wild, they all add up to an exciting, fun-filled, thrilling atmosphere in a world-class venue.

The Happy Valley race course itself is a sight in itself, the city has built around it through the years and it is now practically surrounded by skyscrapers, an awesome experience specially at night when the city is illuminated.

When?: Wednesday Nights. First race starts at 7:15 p.m. and the gates open at 5:15 p.m. The races are done by 11:00 p.m.

Where?: Happy Valley Race Course

How Much? Depends, there are many ways to experience the races, from General Stand to Private Boxes and special packages including dinner and drinks. General Stand entrance starts at HK10.

Click here for more on Happy Valley Horse Racing, how to get there and options for viewing the races.

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