Chinese New Year in Hong Kong: Dates, Closures & Traditions

Chinese New Year in Hong Kong follows the lunar calendar, so the date shifts each year. In 2026, the public holidays fall on 17–19 February. Here is what that means for your schedule.

Why does Hong Kong Chinese New Year move each year?

The festival tracks the lunar cycle. The lunar year runs about 11 days shorter than the solar year, so the date drifts annually. It always lands on the second new moon after the December solstice, pinning it between 21 January and 20 February on the Gregorian calendar.

In 2026, the first day is Tuesday, 17 February. In 2027, it shifts to Saturday, 6 February.

Which days are public holidays for Hong Kong Chinese New Year 2026?

Hong Kong observes three official public holidays for the celebration. In 2026 those are:

Chinese New Year: Tuesday, 17 February
Second day of Chinese New Year: Wednesday, 18 February
Third day of Chinese New Year: Thursday, 19 February

When a public holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday becomes an observed break. That happened in 2027: the first day was Saturday, 6 February, but the third day fell on Monday, 8 February, and the fourth day on Tuesday, 9 February. Both were public holidays.

These three days are part of the 17 public holidays Hong Kong observes in 2026. For the complete list, see Hong Kong Public Holidays 2026.

Extended closures: what shuts and for how long

Many businesses close for 3 to 7 days. Some small shops shut for the full two weeks.

Government offices: closed on the three public holidays. Some services resume the next working day.

Banks: closed on public holiday days. ATMs and online banking operate 24/7 throughout the period. Do not expect to visit a branch for at least three days.

Major retail chains: many stay open, especially in tourist areas like Tsim Sha Tsui, Causeway Bay, and Central. Malls typically run their normal hours (10:00-22:00) on the public holidays themselves.

Small businesses and street markets: this is where the longest closures happen. Independent shops, local bakeries, cha chaan tengs, and dai pai dongs often close for the full first week. Some do not reopen until after the Lantern Festival, 15 days after New Year's Day. If your regular noodle shop or dry cleaner is run by one family, expect it to be closed for at least five days.

Offices: many companies close for the three public holidays plus the Friday before or Monday after, giving staff a five-day break. Some extend it to a full week. This is one of the few times Hong Kong's business rhythm significantly pauses.

Business and banking during the break

If you need to make a payment, transfer money, or file paperwork, do it before the festival starts. Banks are closed on the three public holidays, and interbank settlement systems do not process on those days. Online banking works, but any transaction that requires manual processing will queue until the next working day.

For typical office hours outside the holiday period, see Business Hours in Hong Kong.

Transport and travel during the festival

The MTR, buses, and taxis run on a normal schedule. There is no reduced service on the public holidays themselves. The Star Ferry and Peak Tram also operate regular hours.

The main transport disruption is on cross-border routes. Buses and ferries to mainland China and Macau are often heavily booked as residents travel to visit family. If you need to cross the border, book tickets well in advance.

Taxis are harder to find on New Year's Eve (the evening before the first day) and on the first day itself. Drivers take time off too.

Meal times and traditions during Hong Kong Chinese New Year

Dining hours shift. The big meal is a reunion dinner on the evening before the first day. In 2026, that is Monday, 16 February. Many restaurants are fully booked for that dinner weeks in advance.

On the first and second days, many restaurants close entirely. Those that stay open often run reduced hours: 11:00-15:00 for lunch, then 18:00-22:00 for dinner. The normal breakfast and late-night dining rhythm pauses.

For a full guide to typical meal times, see Hong Kong Meal Times.

Planning visits and calls around the holiday

If you are calling Hong Kong from overseas, the best overlap windows depend on your location. For calls to London, the overlap is 16:00-18:00 HKT (08:00-10:00 GMT). For New York, 20:00-22:00 HKT (07:00-09:00 EST). For Sydney, the overlap is full: Sydney is 2 to 3 hours ahead of Hong Kong depending on daylight saving.

During the holiday period, the person you are calling may be off work even if the clock says they should be at their desk. The public holidays are fixed, but many people take additional leave. Schedule a call for the day after the break ends and you are more likely to get through.

One group should change their default approach: anyone who assumes "public holiday" means "everything is open like a normal Sunday." Retail and restaurants do stay open on most public holidays in Hong Kong, but Chinese New Year is different. The closures are longer and more widespread than for any other break except the Christmas, New Year period. If you need a service from a small business, check its specific schedule. The assumption that "they will be open on the holiday" will leave you waiting.