Editing Hong Kong (section)

== Christmas, New Year and Chinese New Year ==

=== Christmas ===
Christmas Day (Dec. 25th) and Boxing Day (first weekday after Xmas) are holidays in Hong Kong and from late November onwards you'll see the decorations and commercial displays in stores as you do in many other places. You'll also see some elaborate lighting displays go up on tall buildings on both sides of the harbour. It's a local tradition to walk around TST near the waterfront and look at the lights and take photos in front of them on Christmas Day. Some roads are blocked off and traffic diverted to facilitate this. It gets crowded in the evenings so if you're keen to test the limits of your personal space, it's an excellent place and time to go for a stroll.

Hong Kong doesn't come to a standstill for these holidays even though business and government offices are closed. While museums and other venues may close early - usually 5 pm - and other places may be on modified hours, most shops and restaurants are still open as they are normally.

There are various events and displays at local theme parks, shopping malls and special concerts and events such as carolling around town. There are also traditional midnight masses at places like St. John's Cathedral but, here's that phrase again, they can be crowded. They often set up speakers outside the church and people take part in the mass there.

* [http://www.discoverhongkong.com/festivehk2010/eng/winter/overview.jsp Winterfest Christmas and New Year events 2010]

=== New Year ===
December 31st is a night to party and January 1st is a public holiday. But if you want to go to one of the big events like the countdown in Times Square or want to stake out a good spot to see the fireworks, head out early and keep your group together. Roads get blocked off, traffic is diverted, there are loooots of people and security measures are in place which can mean that if you and your buddies get separated, you might remain that way and ring in the new year alone.

The MTR runs all night on New Year's Eve and there are extra bus and minibus services but keep in mind that some roads are blocked off and there are traffic measures in place. Ferries to Discovery Bay also run all night but on a modified schedule.

The crowd control measures, barricades, lines and security presence might be a pain and seem excessive but it's for a reason. In 1993, 20 people died when there was a stampede during the new year celebrations in Lan Kwai Fong. Please listen to the police, respect the barricades and do your best to seek out less crowded spots to celebrate.

* [http://www.fodors.com/community/asia/help-planning-hong-kong-itinerary-please.cfm Sample itineraries and info]
* [http://gohongkong.about.com/od/eventsinhongkong/tp/newyearinhongkong.htm New Year's Eve events in HK]

=== Chinese New Year ===
[[File: Chinese_New_Year.jpg|400px|right|thumb|Lion Dancers]]
This is the biggie. 
The dates for the lunar new year change every year according to the lunar calendar and swing between late January and mid-February. In 2012, the dates are Jan 23,24 and 25 and 2012 will be the year of the dragon. 
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_new_year#Dates Chinese New Year Dates up to 2031]

This is about the only time of year that Hong Kong quietens down a bit. Lots of people go on holiday. Those that stay spend time at home with their family and, for about the only time all year, most shops will be closed during this period until Feb 6. The crowds you're used to the rest of the year, disappear. Well, sort of.

There's still lots to do and crowds to be found. Parades, fireworks, flower markets, Chinese New Year fair in Victoria Park, horse racing... 

* [http://www.discoverhongkong.com/festivehk2010/eng/cny/overview.jsp Overview of CNY events in HK]
* [http://www.12hk.com/festivals/CNY/ChineseNewYearFlowerMarket.shtml CNY Eve Flower market in Victoria Park]
* [http://www.hongkonghustle.com/tag/chinese-new-year-market/ See, crowds]

Other major holidays - note that Hong Kong does not have the Golden Weeks that mainland China does.
* [http://www.gov.hk/en/about/abouthk/holiday/ List of HK holidays for 2013]
* [http://timeanddate.com/calendar/?year=2012&country=42 HK calendar for 2012]