April in Hong Kong opens with some beloved traditions with the Ching Ming Festival at the beginning of the month and followed by one of the top events in Hong Kong's Sports calendar, the Hong Kong Sevens which besides some fantastic Rugby action, it has become a festival of sorts and just one huge wild party that goes beyond the official venue of the tournament and spills throughout the city.
In the cultural and entertainment front, we have the Hong Kong International Film Festival, one of Asia's most influential events, and the Hong Kong Film Award Ceremony at the Grand Theatre of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre.
Easter holidays are public holidays observed in Hong Kong and could fall in either March or April.
April temperatures in Hong Kong are still pleasant but begin to climb. Overcast days are the norm, with some showers but usually not more than a drizzle. It's still time to get outdoors before the humidity and stormy days start to mount towards the summer days. This is a great month to be in Hong Kong!
Highlight Celebrations and Events in April
- Ching Ming Festival
- Hong Kong Sevens
- SummerFest @ Wanchai - April through July
- Easter - March or April
- Hong Kong Film Festival
- Birthday of Tin Hau, Goddess of the Sea
- Consumer Electronics, Mobile Electronics, Gifts and Fashion Trade Exhibitions
- Hong Kong Electronics Fair
- Disney Springtime Carnival - March through May
- Asian Film Awards - The Oscars of Asia - March or April
- The Hong Kong Film Awards
- Cheung Chau Bun Festival - April or May
- Birthday of Buddha Celebrations - April or May
- Birthday of Tam Kung, the Seafarer's God - April or May
Ongoing Events
- 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!
Ching Ming Festival: A Day To Honor The Ancestors
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.
Hong Kong Rugby Sevens
The Hong Kong Sevens is rugby's most prestigious sevens tournament on the International Rugby Board World Series and considered the top event in Hong Kong's Sports calendar.
In three days, 24 teams battle it up at their new digs at Kai Tak Sports Park for points toward the World Series top ranking.
Tickets sell out as soon as they go on sale, but the event usually goes beyond the sports venue, to say this is one colossal party is an understatement...
When? April
Where? Tournament held at Kai Tak Sports Park
Tickets: HK$ 500+ Likely to sell out quickly. Find Tickets!
SummerFest @ Wanchai
Dozens of 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 through July
Where?: Wan Chai Harbourfront Event Space (3 Hung Hing Road, next to Wan Chai Pier)
How Much?: FREE Admission
Hong Kong International Film Festival
The Hong Kong International Film Festival is one of Hong Kong's largest cultural events, and as all film festivals, this is an event for those involved in the film industry, actors, directors, screenwriters, etc. and film enthusiasts and fans from all over the world.
Although this is not Cannes or Sundance or Toronto, the Hong Kong Film Festival is considered a major launching pad for films from all parts of the world into the China and Asian markets. Some big names in the Asian cinematic scene make an appearance to promote their latest works.
It is easy to catch a screening and ticket prices are quite reasonable, if only to see some of Hong Kong's magnificent venues from the inside!
When? March / April
Where? Several venues including the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, Hong Kong City Hall, M+ Cinema among others.
How Much? HK$ 55+
Easter
Easter in Hong Kong, as part of the British legacy, is a public holiday with a long weekend of days off from Good Friday to Easter Monday.
From uplifiting services, easter egg hunts, champagne brunches...
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!
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.
Tin Hau Festival takes place in April or May.
Global Sources Trade Exhibitions Spring Edition
9,000 booths with the latest in electronics, gifts, home products and fashion contained into four trade shows twice per year in April and October.
The Global Sources Consumer Electronics Show is the world's largest electronics sourcing event and Global Sources' flagship event. All four phases, consumer electronics, mobile electronics, home and lifestyle and fashion, are packed with the latest products and trends and plenty of special activities...
If you are running an online business, there are special services for online and Amazon sellers with a "Ready-to-Buy" zone, an e-commerce service providers' pavillion and suppliers who accept small orders. This is a sourcing event, you have to register to attend. The October Shows are conveniently timed for buyers who also attend the Canton Fair.
When?: April and October
Where?: AsiaWorld Expo
The Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Spring Edition)
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
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.
Asian Film Awards - The Oscars of Asia
The Asian Film Awards is a fairly new programme launched in 2007 but is gradually gaining prominence in the film making industry. This is not to be confused with the Hong Kong Film Awards which have been around since 1982.
The Asian Film Award Gala is the kick off to the HK International Film Festival, and presents awards in ten different
categories such as Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor and Actress, etc. these are the "Oscars" of Asia.
It is certainly a glittery evening with prominent local and international stars, which over the years has included Jet Li, Andy Lau, Oliver Stone and Donatella Versace.
Attendance is of course by invitation only, but the fans can catch a peek of their favourite celebrities as they arrive at the Red Carpet.
When? March / April
Where? Xiqu Centre in the West Kowloon Cultural District
The Hong Kong Film Award Ceremony
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
Where? The Grand Theatre of Hong Kong Cultural Centre
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 in April or May
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? April or May
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, normally in May or late April.
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?: April or May - 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.
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 and ready to entertain with the many springtime and easter activities throughout the park.
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 HK669 HKD622, Children HK499 HKD475
More Info and Booking at Klook.com
Also available are exclusive experience for World of Frozen and Arandelle Royal Breakfast Buffet
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
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.
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.
Hong Kong Events By Month
Most Popular Excursions in Hong Kong
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