Majority
of people in Hong Kong have Chinese roots. At the same time they have
also got good exposure to Western influence. This makes the traditional
Chinese as well as European festivals popular in China. Hong Kong
populace celebrates all these festivals with fervour. They celebrate
Christmas with same vivacity as they do the Chinese New Year.Chinese Lunar New Year
Most popular of all Hong Kong festivals is Chinese Lunar New Year. On this occasion, all Hong Kong islands are engaged in festivities. Parades are taken out on the streets and dragon or lion dances are organized. Worshippers visit the temples in huge numbers and the skyscrapers are decorated. Pyrotechnics illuminates the wide streets of Hong Kong.
Ching Ming Festival
Ching Ming can be translated in the local language is 'clear and bright'. This day the Chinese express their regard for their ancestors by visiting their graves. They make the graves clean, and offer wine, money and fruits. The festival is also known by other names like Grave Sweeping, Spring Remembrance, and Remembrance of Ancestors Day.
Tin Hau Festival
People in Hong Kong highly regard Tin Hau, the Goddess of the Sea. Birthday of the Goddess is celebrated to bring safety and prosperity in the lives of the fishermen who risk their lives by going into the sea to earn livelihood. People bedeck their boats and sing praises of the Goddess for past protection. They also throng the temples.
Lord Buddha's Birthday
People
of Hong Kong have high regard for Lord Buddha and they celebrate his
birthday with deep faith. Lord Buddha's statues are bathed by his
followers. People visit temples and monasteries. Largest, seated,
outdoor bronze Buddha idol is located in Po Lin Monastery in Lantau
Island. Dragon Boat Festival
Race of fierce dragon boats is held on this festival. Adorned boats, each carrying a crew of 20-25 paddlers, race to win the competition, to the beat of drums. The event is in remembrance of a Chinese hero, Qu Yuan.
Seven Sisters' Festival
This festival is rooted in an ancient Chinese legend about the Jade Emperor and his seven daughters. It is particularly popular among the young who offer fruit and burn incense and joss sticks in the open.
Mid-Autumn Festival
An important event in Hong Kong, Mid-Autumn Festival is celebrated in open spaces with decorated lanterns, which come in several colours. Moon Cake, a special dish, is made on this festival. It is made of ground lotus and sesame seed paste, egg-yolk and other ingredients.