Hong Kong Festivals and Events
April 2014

This month features the Hong Kong Film Awards, the Oscars of Hong Kong, as the Hong Kong Film Festival comes to a close. The Ching Ming Festival, on April 5, 2014 gives you a unique look into Hong Kong's ancient traditions, and soon thereafter in total contrast, the Hong Kong Electronics Fair is a window into Hong Kong's innovation powerhouse. The colorful boat parades for the birthday of Goddess Tin Hau wrap up the month of April.

Here's this month's line-up:

• Ching Ming Festival April 5, 2014

• Hong Kong Film Festival - March 24 - April 7, 2014

• The 33rd Hong Kong Film Awards - April 13, 2014

• Hong Kong Electronics Fair - April 13 - 16, 2014

• Birthday of Tin Hau, Goddess of the Sea - April 22, 2014

Also check-out these popular ongoing events during April 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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Ching Ming Festival - April 5, 2014

The Ching Ming Festival or Tomb Sweeping Day is a day to worship the ancestors. Cemeteries accross the land will be crowded with thousands of worshipers carrying incense sticks and offerings of paper money, fruits and wine, as they come to pay respects to their ancestors.

Tombs are tended and swept and paper money and all other paper offerings are burned so that the deceased "receive" the essence of the burned goods.

Special attention must be paid if you will be travelling through any areas where there are cemeteries or burial grounds, specially if using public transportation as the crowds will be quite substantial and delays are guaranteed.

Here's more on the Ching Ming Festival or Tomb Sweeping Day.

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Hong Kong International Film Festival - March 24 - April 7, 2014

On its 38th year, this is one of Hong Kong's largest cultural events, with over 300 film screenings at Hong Kong's top venues. It is Asia's leading platform bringing together cinematic talent and fans from all over the world.

Ticket prices for screenings are quite reasonable, tickets for weekday matinee screenings for example are only HK$40 and is a great way to get to see some of Hong Kong best architecture from the inside as well!

Venues include the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, Hong Kong City Hall, the HK Space Museum, and the HK Science Museum.

More on the Hong Kong International Film Festival

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The 33rd Hong Kong Film Award Ceremony - April 13, 2014

On its 33rd year, the Annual Hong Kong Film Award Ceremony is the Oscars of Hong Kong. Like the Academy Awards, it recognizes achievements in filmmaking and is open to Hong Kong Films longer than one hour that were released in Hong Kong within the previous calendar year.

It is a star-studded affair with prominent local celebrities that make an appearance at this most prestigious red carpet event.

When? April 13, 2014

Where? Hong Kong Cultural Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui.

Here's more on the Hong Kong Film Awards.

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The Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Spring Edition) - April 13-16, 2014

Organised by the HKTDC, this is Asia's largest Electronics Fair where innovative products are launched and where thousands of exhibitors and brands are represented. The exhibitions are spread out into zones for easy navigation i.e. Home Appliances, Electronic Gaming, Solar Technology, Personal Electronics, etc.

There is also a "Small Order Zone" where hundreds of products and samples are available in small quantities.
When?: April 13-16, 2014

Where?: Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre

Admission: HK100 but free if you pre-register at the HKTDC website. Open to trade visitors, must be over 18 years old.

More on the Hong Kong Eletronics Fair.

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Birthday of Tin Hau - April 22, 2014

Tin Hau is the Goddess of the Sea, given that in the past Hong Kong was a fishing town and most everybody's lives were tied to the sea, Tin Hau is sort of the "patron saint" of the city and you can imagine that the Tin Hau Festival is a really big deal.

There will be colorful and lively celebrations including boat parades, lion dances and feasts anywhere there is a Tin Hau temple nearby, and there are over 60 in Hong Kong.

Some of the most vibrant and notorious celebrations are in Stanley, Lamma Island, and Joss House Bay which boasts the largest Tin Hau temple in Hong Kong.

The Tin Hau Festival Boat Parade in Victoria Harbour

The Tin Hau Festival Boat Parade in Victoria Harbour is sponsored by the Hong Kong Tourism Board in conjunction with the Hong Kong Fishermen's Association. A flotilla of over 40 brightly decorated boats will sail accross the Harbour starting from Hung Hom and ending at Joss House Bay which is home to the oldest Tin Hau Temple in Hong Kong.

The Parade assembles at Kowloon Bay and proceeds to Hung Hom, Tsim Sha Tsui East / Avenue of Stars, Wan Chai, Causeway Bay, North Point, Shau Kei Wan and end in Joss House Bay where it disperses.

Best places to watch are all along this route, specially the Tsim Sha Tsui East Promenade and the Avenue of Stars, the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza and Golden Bauhinia Square on the opposite side.

When?: April 22, 2014 - exact details TBA, last year's parade was from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm

How Much?: Free!

The Yuen Long Tin Hau Festival Procession

Without a doubt, the Procession and Fa Pau Parade in Yuen Long with a whole array of lion and dragon dances, marching bands and cultural performances is one of the most colorful ones in the territory.

When?: April 22, 2014 - Parade starts at 10:00 am, Fa Pau Raffle at 3:00 pm

Where?: From Yuen Town to Tai Shu Ha

How Much?: Free!

Here's more on Hong Kong's Tin Hau Festival.

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Ongoing Hong Kong Events for April, 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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