When is Lunar New Year?
In 2026, Lunar New Year falls on Tuesday, February 17, 2026. It is classified here as a Hong Kong public holiday.
History of Lunar New Year
Lunar New Year’s Day in Hong Kong begins the first month of the Chinese lunisolar year and anchors the territory's largest family festival. Preparations include cleaning, flowers, decorations and a reunion dinner; after the year begins, lai see red packets, auspicious greetings and visits express hopes for health and prosperity. Customs differ by family origin, religion and generation, while parades and lion dances are programmed public events rather than universal rites.
Hong Kong protects the first, second and third lunar days as separate general and statutory holidays. In 2026 they fell on Tuesday, February 17 through Thursday, February 19. This first-day route is the substantive guide for the continuous period; later occurrences link here to avoid duplicate indexable articles. Future dates and the special Sunday arrangement must come from Hong Kong's annual gazette, not mainland China's workday-adjustment calendar.
All employees covered by Hong Kong's Employment Ordinance receive statutory holidays regardless of service length; holiday pay requires a continuous contract of at least three months. General holidays and statutory holidays are overlapping but legally distinct lists. Government offices and many banks commonly close on general holidays, while transport, health care, hospitality, retail and other essential or commercial services may remain open. Required statutory-holiday work triggers the alternative or substituted holiday arrangements set out by the Labour Department.
How Lunar New Year is observed
The first of three consecutive general and statutory holidays, falling on Tuesday, February 17 in Hong Kong's official 2026 calendar.
Traditions of Lunar New Year
Family reunion and visiting
Households arrange meals and visits to elders or relatives, adapting inherited customs to Hong Kong's compact homes and demanding travel patterns.
Temples and community programmes
Temples, district groups and cultural organisations may hold worship, performances, markets or lantern programmes, with schedules announced locally.
Lunar New Year customs
For Lunar New Year in Hong Kong, households combine the calendar transition with locally familiar food, music, worship or visiting. The precise mix varies by region, community and family tradition.
Dates and observance rules are checked against the official Hong Kong Government and Labour Department guidance. General holidays and statutory employee holidays are different legal lists; check the relevant annual Government guidance.
History sources: GovHK: General holidays for 2026, Labour Department: Statutory holidays for 2026, Labour Department: Employment Ordinance holiday entitlements, Hong Kong Yearbook: Traditional Festivals.
Continue exploring