The month of May in Hong Kong kicks off an array of colorful festivities and traditions including a revelry of water parades in honour of Tin Hau, Buddha bathing ceremonies, colorful parades and dragon dances, and the one-of-a-kind bun-scrambling contest at the Cheung Chau Bun Festival...
So take advantage of the fantastic festivals, art exhibitions 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 2024
- Birthday of Tin Hau, Goddess of the Sea - May 1st, 2024
- The Lamma International Dragon Boat Festival - May 5, 2024
- Cheung Chau Bun Festival - May 15, 2024
- Birthday of Buddha Celebrations - May 15, 2024
- Birthday of Tam Kung, the Seafarer's God - May 15, 2024
- Stanley Dragon Boat Warm-Up Races - May 18, 2024
- SummerFest @ Wanchai - April 5 - July 3, 2024
- Disney Springtime Carnival - March through May
Ongoing Events This May 2024
- 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!
Birthday of Tin Hau
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 the unique fa pau floats unique to the celebration, dragon parades, lion dances and feasts... anywhere there is a Tin Hau temple nearby, and there are over 60 in Hong Kong!
When? May 1st, 2024
Some of the most vibrant and notorious celebrations are in Yuen Long in the New Territories and Joss House Bay in Saikung, which boasts the oldest Tin Hau Temple in Hong Kong. Also the coastal towns will be celebrating: Stanley, Lamma Island, Peng Chau and Cheng Chau as well.
The Lamma International Dragon Boat Festival
The Lamma 500 International Dragon Boat Festival takes place at Tai Wan To Beach, the home of the Lamma Dragons and the Lamma Outrigger Canoe Club in Lamma Island.
Besides an exciting day of dragon boat action, including Men's, Women's and Junior Crews (12 to 17), there is the
beach-side after-party following the races, or you can head into the Village for dinner and festive drinks along with the many participants.
When?: May 5, 2024
Where?: Tai Wan To Beach, Lamma Island. Take the Ferry from Central Pier 4 to Yung Shue Wan. The ferry takes 25 minutes. The walk to the beach will take approximately another 15-20 minutes.
How Much?: Free
The Cheung Chau Bun Festival
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 culminating on May 15, 2024
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
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.
When? May 15, 2024
The Birthday of Tam Kung
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 15, 2024.
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 15, 2024 - Parade from approx. 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.
Stanley Dragon Boat Warm-Up Races
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 10, 2024.
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 18, 2024 - 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!
SummerFest @ Wanchai
26 outdoor events from arts, music, to markets, sports and more over three months at the Wan Chai Harbourfront, surrounded by spectacular views of Victoria Harbour all over five themed mazes at the "A-Maze-ing Harbourfront" Event Space.
What's in store? Balance Bike Competitions, Dodgebee fun day, Dodgeball competition, Studio Acorn Dance Festival, Fit & Well Fest, HKCAMP, Lanka Fest and much much more!
When?: April 5 - July 3, 2024
Where?: Wan Chai Harbourfront Event Space (3 Hung Hing Road, next to Wan Chai Pier)
How Much?: FREE Admission
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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