Hong Kong Public Holidays 2026: Plan Ahead To Maximise Annual Leave

Looking to make the most of the Hong Kong public holidays in 2026? Here’s when to book your annual leave!

We’ve picked our word of the year and it is TRAVEL! So, to get set for the year of adventuring ahead, you’ll want to know how best to use your annual leave to maximise each and every weekend getaway. Whether you’re looking to reset and refresh across the border or in need of a city break that’s an easy direct flight away, here’s how to maximise your holiday time in 2026.

Read on to discover our top tips for maximising your time off…

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Hong Kong Public Holidays 2026

The Hong Kong 2026 public holidays are set by the government each year. Saturday is considered a work day for many in Hong Kong, so when a public holiday falls on a Saturday there is no extra weekday given. A shame for those of us working Monday to Friday, as we’ve got three public holidays falling on a Saturday this year. However, when a public holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday will be given as a day off.

• New Year’s Day: Thursday, 1 January, 2026
• Lunar New Year: Tuesday, 17 February to Thursday, 19 February, 2026
• Easter & Ching Ming Festival: Friday, 3 to Tuesday, 7 April, 2026
• Labour Day: Friday, 1 May, 2026
• Buddha’s Birthday: Monday, 25 May, 2026
• Dragon Boat Festival: Friday, 19 June, 2026
• Hong Kong SAR Establishment Day: Wednesday, 1 July, 2026
• The Day Following Mid-Autumn Festival: Saturday, 26 September, 2026
• National Day: Thursday, 1 October, 2026
• Chung Yeung Festival: Monday, 19 October, 2026
• Christmas: Friday, 25 December and Saturday, 26 December, 2026

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Lunar New Year Public Holidays 2026

Chinese New Year will take place in mid February this year. The streets are eerily quiet during Chinese New Year, so make the most of fewer crowds, cooler weather and traditional festive happenings to get out and explore the city.

Travelling over the Chinese New Year public holiday in 2026

• Get your health back on track in 2026, by booking a wellness retreat in Asia.
• Oh, how we’ve longed for the white sand beaches of Thailand! Phuket, Krabi and Koh Lanta are all stunning at this time of year.
• Catch the Australian summer in all its glory.
• Snow bunnies should hop over to hit the slopes in Hokkaido, Japan.

2026 Public holiday: Tuesday, 17 February to Thursday, 19 February, 2026
Book off: Monday, 16 and Friday, 20 February, 2026
Annual leave days used: 2
Days holiday: 9

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Ching Ming And Easter Public Holidays In 2026

This year, the Ching Ming and Easter public holidays overlap, so you can combine them into one grand adventure! The Hong Kong government stated that because the Ching Ming Festival falls on the Sunday, the following day would be the general holiday in substitution, but as that day is Easter Monday, the following Tuesday will be observed as an additional general holiday.

Where to go for the Easter public holidays in 2026

• Channel Indiana Jones as you explore the ancient wonders of Jordan.
• Visit the New Zealand vineyards (just in time for the annual wine harvest!).
• The heat of the blazing summer makes April a great time to book a South African safari.
• Get your city fix by heading to bustling Busan, South Korea for some of the freshest seafood on the planet.

Sassy Tip: Check the public holiday opening hours at your destination because some tourist providers in western destinations may close for the holiday.

2026 Public holiday: Friday, 3 April to Tuesday, 7 April, 2026
Book off: Wednesday, 8 to Friday, 10 April, 2026
Annual leave days used: 3
Days holiday: 10

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Labour Day And Buddha’s Birthday Hong Kong Public Holiday 2026

Since Buddha’s Birthday is on the eighth day of the fourth lunar month, it changes on our Gregorian calendar year-to-year. In 2026, it falls at the end of May (on a Sunday so we get the following day off for Buddha’s Birthday), bookending the month with Labour Day, meaning we unfortunately can’t combine the holidays. However, May is a great month of the year to travel and these holidays fall on a Friday and Monday, so you can enjoy a long weekend without taking any days off! You’ll beat the crowds of July and August (not to mention the inflated prices and blazing heat) and tour providers are excited for the upcoming season (read: not exhausted!). 

Great holiday destinations for a Labour Day or Buddha’s Birthday trip

• In Penang, Malaysia you can lie on a golden sand beach in the morning, wander historic streets and take in fabulous murals in the afternoon and finish your day feasting on street snacks!
• If you’ve ever wondered about visiting outback Australia, May is the time to do it, the days are warm but not scorching, making it perfect to hike the desert dunes.
• Take in the dramatic cliffs and sparkling sea on a romantic coastal getaway to the Almafi Coast in Italy, before the summer crowds spoil your perfect Insta shots.
• For a quick, three-day trip, consider a spa getaway at one of our top picks in Shenzhen!

2026 Public holiday: Friday, 1 May, 2026 (Labour Day); Monday, 25 May, 2026 (Buddha’s Birthday)
Book off: Thursday, 30 April or Monday, 4 May, 2026 (Labour Day); Friday, 22 or Tuesday, 26 May, 2026 (Buddha’s Birthday)
Annual leave days used: 1
Days holiday: 4

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Dragon Boat Festival Public Holiday 2026

Luckily this year’s Dragon Boat Festival falls on a Friday, so we get another built-in long weekend! You can also take a few days off to dip out of the super-busy Hong Kong streets for a bit, you just won’t really be maximising on your annual leave for it.

Where to travel for the Dragon Boat Festival public holiday

• Explore the lush jungles, see orangutans swinging from the trees and maybe even catch sea turtles hatching! It’s all within easy reach of Kota Kinabalu in Malaysian Borneo.
• For a foodie adventure like no other book your tickets to Portugal and wine and dine your way through Porto and Lisbon.

2026 Public holiday: Friday, 19 June, 2026
Book off: Monday, 15 June to Thursday, 18 June, 2026
Annual leave days used: 4
Days holiday: 9

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Hong Kong SAR Establishment Day 2026

This is a tricky one because Hong Kong is actually a great place to be on this particular public holiday what with all the deals available, but this year also offers the opportunity to take two days off and get a five day holiday so… maybe just spend it in town on a little staycation or pop on over to Macau and explore our sister city?

2026 Public holiday: Wednesday, 1 July, 2026
Book off: Monday, 29 to Tuesday, 30 June, 2026 or Thursday, 2 to Friday, 3 July, 2026
Annual leave days used: 2
Days holiday: 5

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National Day And The Day Following Mid-Autumn Festival Public Holiday 2026

Since this year’s Mid Autumn Festival day off is on a Saturday (26 September), we don’t get to redeem it, let alone combine it with National Day. So, it’s looking like our best bet is to just take the Friday after National Day off and have ourselves a four-day getaway.

Where to travel during the early October public holiday in 2026

• Catch the end of Oktoberfest in Munich which wraps up on Sunday, 4 October, 2026.
• Singapore is always an easy go-to for fun, sun and shopping — just be sure your wallet survives the week!

2026 Public holiday: Thursday, 1 October, 2026
Book off: Friday, 2 October, 2026
Annual leave days used: 1
Days holiday: 4

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Chung Yeung Festival Public Holiday 2026

It really seems like this is the year of long weekends and quick trips, since the Chung Yeung Festival falls on a Monday in 2026. Again, dash across the border for a few days without using up your annual leave, or go all out by taking four days off and having a nine-day break a week before Halloween!

Quick getaways for the late October public holiday in 2026

• Head on over to Kerala, India and explore the canals by houseboat.
• The best time to catch the autumn foliage in Japan is mid-October to late November.

2026 Public holiday: Monday, 19 October, 2026
Book off: Tuesday, 20 October to Friday, 23 October, 2026
Annual leave days used: 4
Days holiday: 9

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Christmas & New Year 2026 Public Holidays

It’s hard to imagine reaching the end of another year, but wherever you decide to spend the last days of 2026, it’s sure to be fabulous!

2026 Public holiday: Friday, 25 December and Saturday, 26 December, 2026 (Christmas); Friday, 1 January, 2027 (New Year)
Book off: Monday, 28 December to Thursday, 31 December, 2026
Annual leave days used: 4
Days of leave: 10

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Editor’s Note: “Public Holidays In 2026: How to Maximise Your Annual Leave” was most recently updated in December 2025.