2010 Public Holidays:

Festival Highlights:

• Chinese New Year is celebrated over three days in either January or February according to the Lunar New Year with a fantastic firework display in Victoria Harbour and a traditional parade.

• The Spring Lantern Festival is on the fifteen day of the Chinese New Year in either January or February. Brightly coloured lanterns are strung up around the city and local couples celebrate Chinese Valentines day.

• Cheung Chau Festival, also known as “Bun” Festival is a wacky and wonderful festival celebrated in May that climaxes with the infamous bun tower climbing competition.

• Birthday of Lord Buddha is a celebration of great reverence in Hong Kong’s Buddhist temples either in April or May. Worshippers show their devotion throughout the day by bathing Buddha's statue. Celebrations centre round the major monasteries in Hong Kong. Po Lin Monastery on Lantau Island, home to the world's largest seated outdoor bronze Buddha, draws the biggest crowds at this time. Visitors can participate in the bathing Buddha ceremony and enjoy sumptuous Chinese vegetarian dishes at the monastery.

• The Dragon Boat Festival is the most exciting festival of the year celebrated either in May or June. In an adrenalin filled version of the Oxford and Cambridge boat races; eight men dragon boats, ornately decorated, will race over three days.

• The Mid Autumn Festival is the biggest festival aside from Chinese New Year celebrated in September. Lanterns and dragon dances play a big part in the festival. Families will gather to celebrate with mooncakes which consist of a pastry holding two salted duck eggs.