When is the best time to visit Hong Kong?

March to May is a glorious time to visit, between the warm weather, flowering trees, and temperatures sitting comfortably between 18 to 25 degrees. We might not have the cherry blossoms of Japan (except near the Kwan Kung Pavilion on Cheung Chau island), but the bright pink blooms of Hong Kong’s emblem – the bauhinia – are a lovely sight to behold. Springtime is also when the city is at its busiest and most buzzing, what with Art Month (compromised of Art Basel, Art Central, the Asia Contemporary Art Show and all the other accompanying events), the Hong Kong International Film Festival, Taste of Hong Kong, Sónar and the biggest party of every year, the Hong Kong Rugby Sevens (pictured). Spring is also a great time to visit our popular outdoor attractions like Ocean Park and Disneyland when the summer humidity hasn’t fully kicked in yet. 

Hong Kong summers are somewhat brutal for the uninitiated, with the one-two punch of soaring temperatures (perpetually around 30-32 degrees) and high-90s humidity guaranteed to make you sweat as soon as you step away from the air conditioning. It’s the time of year for typhoons and rainstorms, but the hot, sunny days in between are perfect for beach days, junk boat trips and visiting rock pools. Event highlights include the Dragon Boat Festival, the W’s legendary pool parties, Road to Ultra, the Lan Kwai Fong Beer & Music Festival and the Melbourne International Comedy Roadshow. Another summer tradition is the annual march for democracy, held on the anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to China on July 1 – it might not be glamorous, but protesting is very Hong Kong. (As are the fireworks at the end of the day.) Most locals leave Hong Kong to escape the heat and humidity during summers, so the city tends to be less crowded. 

Autumn in Hong Kong normally begins with at Mid-Autumn Festival (confusing, we know – but it’s based on the lunar calendar, usually around mid-September), a joyous occasion marked by lantern carnivals, copious moon cakes, and the three-day Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance. By the time the annual International Tattoo Convention (typically end of Sep/early Oct) and National Day fireworks (Oct 1) have been and gone, everyone’s already in full anticipation mode for Halloween, which becomes a bigger and wilder spectacle each year. Popular festivities include the celebrity-studded Dead Not Alive Halloween party, the Lan Kwai Fong street party, and Ocean Park’s Halloween Fest. At the end of the season, Hong Kong sees the return of Clockenflap, the city’s premier music and arts festival set against Victoria Harbour featuring three days of music, art, and food.

The time of year when Hong Kong malls try to outdo each other with over-the-top Christmas decorations, which are then swapped out for over-the-top Chinese New Year decorations. Between Winter Solstice celebrations, Christmas, the New Year and the Lunar New Year, it really is the season to be jolly (or at least a little buzzed) and stuff yourself with festive foods at fairs, dinners, and parties. Temperatures typically hover around the mid-to-low double digits – something newer residents scoff at before buying heaters for their uninsulated homes – but the cool weather brings with it small joys like street vendors roasting chestnuts and sweet potatoes, and copious glasses of wine, mulled or otherwise. Shopaholics can take advantage of all the sales at most retail stores and shopping malls post-Christmas period as well.