The top Hong Kong Festivals and events for May 2019 feature an array of colorful festivals that open up the season of cultural celebrations in the city including:
- Buddha bathing ceremonies...
- ... Lively parades to celebrate the Birthday of Tam Kung, the Seafarer's God...
- ... The one-of-a-kind bun-scrambling contest at the Cheung Chau Bun Festival...
- ... Exciting Dragon Boat racing action!!!... The warm up for the big dragon boat races this June!
This is a great month to be in Hong Kong! Exciting dragon boat races, parades and carnivals will be held throughout the territory this month. Take advantage of the fantastic festivals and the last balmy days before the scorching heat and humidity of summer start trickling in...
May 1st is Labor Day, a public holiday.
May also sees the start of our infamous typhoon season. Hong Kong deals with typhoons every year, don't be alarmed, just aware and if a warning is issued, take the precautions outlined here and stay safe.
Here is a guide to this month's most popular happenings and where and when to catch these colorful and electrifying events.
Highlight Celebrations and Events in May 2019
- Stanley Dragon Boat Warm-Up Races - May 4, 2019
- Cheung Chau Bun Festival - May 9 - 13, 2019
- Birthday of Buddha Celebrations - May 12, 2019
- Birthday of Tam Kung, the Seafarer's God - May 12, 2019
- Disney Springtime Carnival - Mid-March through June
Ongoing Events This May 2019
- Free cultural exhibitions: Kung Fu, Tai Chi, Feng Shui
- The Symphony of Lights, Hong Kong's light and sound show
- It's race time! The Horse Races at Happy Valley are on!
Stanley Dragon Boat Warm-Up Races - May 4, 2019
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 next month on June 7, 2019.
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 4 , 2019, 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!
The Cheung Chau Bun Festival - May 9 - 13, 2019
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 9 and culminating at midnight on May 12 and into the early hours of Monday May 13, 2019.
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.
The Birthday of Lord Buddha - May 12, 2019
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.
The Birthday of Tam Kung - May 12, 2019
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 22, 2018.
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 12, 2019 - 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.
Disney Springtime Carnivale of Stars and Egg-stravaganza
Starting in March, Mickey, Minnie and the gang dress up in their springtime celebratory outfits. Look forward to new lively shows and events on Main Street with all our favourite Disney friends old and new!
Springtime and Easter activities TBA. Stay tuned!
When? March through May
Where? Hong Kong Disneyland
How Much? Disney Springtime Celebration activities are free with Park Admission.
Remember you can buy discount tickets online at Klook.com:
HK Disneyland Discount Tickets Adult HK639 HKD584, Children HK475 HKD428
More Info and Booking at Klook.com
Dining Offers at Hong Kong Disneyland
Ongoing Hong Kong Events
These are some popular ongoing events that are worth checking out, specially since they are FREE or offered for a low fee!
These events feature some of the great and ancient traditions of the territory and are offered by experts in their corresponding fields:
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 about 12 minutes.
When?: Every Night
Where?: Can be seen from both sides of Victoria Harbour, specially stunning aboard a Harbour Cruise.
How Much? Free
- More on Hong Kong's Symphony of Lights, best spots to watch.
- Symphony of Lights Harbour Cruise with Aqualuna (NOW SAILING! Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays)
The Horse Races Are On! This is how you can attend
The horse races in 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 two world-class venues, at the Sha Tin Racecourse and the iconic Happy Valley Racecourse.
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?: Happy Valley Night Races on Wednesday Nights. On race day, 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.
Sha Tin Day Races are on Sundays. First race normally starts at 1:00 pm, earlier if there are more than 10 races. Gates open at 11:00 am.
All races will be streamed live at the HK Jockey Club Racing Channel.
How Much? 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. You can join this guided experience and learn all about horse racing and betting, Enjoy the HKJC horse races from the 2M roof deck.
Hong Kong Events By Month
Most Popular Excursions in Hong Kong
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