2023 is ending soon and 2024 is around the corner! Have you planned out how you are going to use the public holidays?
In the vibrant city of Hong Kong, we are privileged to have a delightful blend of both Western and traditional Chinese public holidays. Who doesn’t love a day off from work? But what if you could supercharge those days off into a proper break? With strategic planning and a dash of advice from us, you can make the absolute most of your annual leave.
Let’s roll in when and how you can optimise your holiday plans!
Hong Kong Public Holidays in 2024
In 2024, Hong Kong has 17 public holidays, and here is an overview of the public holidays:
| Holiday | Date |
| First day of January | January 1 (Monday) |
| Chinese New Year’s Day | February 10 (Saturday) |
| Third day of Chinese New Year | February 12 (Monday) |
| Fourth day of Chinese New Year | February 13 (Tuesday) |
| Good Friday | March 29 (Friday) |
| The day following Good Friday | March 30 (Saturday) |
| Easter Monday | April 1 (Monday) |
| Ching Ming Festival (Tomb-sweeping Day) | April 4 (Thursday) |
| Labour Day | May 1 (Wednesday) |
| The Birthday of Buddha | May 15 (Wednesday) |
| Tuen Ng Festival (Dragon Boat Festival) | June 10 (Monday) |
| Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Establishment Day | July 1 (Monday) |
| The day following the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival | September 18 (Wednesday) |
| National Day | October 1 (Tuesday) |
| Chung Yeung Festival | October 11 (Friday) |
| Christmas Day | December 25 (Wednesday) |
| The first weekday after Christmas Day | December 26 (Thursday) |
Taking annual leave on the right dates: turning public holidays into mini vacations
A little tweak here and there can transform your public holidays into a mini-vacation. Let’s cast the spell and make it happen!
| Holiday | Public Holidays | Days to take annual leave | Holiday Time | Total Days |
| Chinese New Year | February 10, 12, 13 | February 14, 15, 16 | February 10 to 18, 2024 | 9 days |
| Easter and Ching Ming Festival | March 29, 30, April 1, 4 | April 2, 3, 5 | March 29 to April 7, 2024 | 10 days |
| Labour Day | May 1 | May 2, 3 | May 1 to 5, 2024 | 5 days |
| The Birthday of Buddha | May 15 | May 16, 17 | May 15 to 19, 2024 | 5 days |
| Mid-Autumn Festival | September 18 | September 19, 20 | September 18 to 22, 2024 | 5 days |
| National Day | October 1 | September 30 | September 28 to October 1, 2024 | 4 days |
| Christmas | December 25, 26 | December 23, 24, 27 | December 21 to 29, 2024 | 9 days |
Chinese New Year
Combine 3 days of annual leave with the public holidays, and you’ve got yourself a 9-day holiday from February 10 to 18, 2024.
- Public holidays: February 10, 12, 13
- Days to take annual leave: February 14, 15, 16
- Holiday time: February 10 to 18, 2024
- Total days: 9 days
Easter and the Ching Ming Festival
3 days of leave added to the public holidays give you a 10-day break from March 29 to April 7, 2024.
- Public holidays: March 29, 30, April 1, 4
- Days to take annual leave: April 2, 3, 5
- Holiday Time: March 29 to April 7, 2024
- Total Days: 10 days
Labour Day
Take 2 days off after Labour Day, and you get a 5-day holiday from May 1 to 5, 2024.
- Public holiday: May 1
- Days to take annual leave: May 2, 3
- Holiday Time: May 1 to 5, 2024
- Total Days: 5 days
The Birthday of Buddha
2 days of leave after Buddha’s birthday gives you a 5-day holiday from May 15 to 19, 2024.
- Public holiday: May 15
- Days to take annual leave: May 16, 17
- Holiday Time: May 15 to 19, 2024
- Total Days: 5 days
Mid-Autumn Festival
Turn the Mid-Autumn Festival into a 5-day break from September 18 to 22, 2024, by taking 2 additional days off.
- Public holiday: September 18
- Days to take annual leave: September 19, 20
- Holiday Time: September 18 to 22, 2024
- Total Days: 5 days
National Day
Take a single day off before National Day to enjoy a 4-day holiday from September 28 to October 1, 2024.
- Public holiday: October 1
- Day to take annual leave: September 30
- Holiday Time: September 28 to October 1, 2024
- Total Days: 4 days
Christmas
3 days of leave combined with the Christmas holidays gives you a 9-day holiday from December 21 to 29, 2024.
- Public holidays: December 25, 26
- Days to take annual leave: December 23, 24, 27
- Holiday Time: December 21 to 29, 2024
- Total Days: 3 days
Taking a step further: Make the most of your credit card
A long holiday may come with some unexpected spending on your trip, but if you’re using the right credit card, you might save your wallet! Here are some examples that you might use!
Standard Chartered Cathay Mastercard (SCB CX card)
The Standard Chartered Cathay Mastercard (SCB CX card) is a credit card that offers a lower mileage rate of HK$4/mile. It allows you to easily earn miles with your travel spending. Plus, the annual income requirement for this card is only HK$96,000, making it accessible to fresh graduates and new beginners in the workplace. This is definitely a card you should consider adding to your watch list.
- Miles Conversion(Eligible spending on Cathay and HK Express)
- HK$2=1 mile
- Miles Conversion (Eligible spending on dining, hotels and overseas category)
- HK$4 = 1 mile
- Bank Welcome Offer
- 60,000 miles
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By November 30, 2024, apply for the Standard Chartered Cathy Mastercard through MoneySmart and submit the rewards redemption form, you can earn an additional 12 months of Deliveroo Plus Silver membership and a cash voucher redemption code (valued at HK$726) within 14 days after the promotion ends! (Limited offer, first come first served, while stocks last)! Terms and conditions apply.
DBS BlackWorld Mastercard: HK$4/mile on overseas spending
Similar to the SCB CX Mastercard, the DBS BlackWorld Mastercard offers HK$4/mile for overseas spending. It’s a decent credit card option for travellers. You can earn up to a 12% discount on hotel bookings and up to a 20% discount at travel merchants through InstaRedeem.
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- Welcome Offer
- Up to 42,000 miles
- Upon meeting local and overseas spending goal*
- HK$3/mile
- Miles Conversion (overseas spend)
- HK$4/mile
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From now until 30 Nov 2024, customers who successfully apply for DBS Black World Mastercard via MoneySmart, can enjoy 5,000 SmartPoints!
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With 5,000 SmartPoints can fully redeem HK$500 cash vouchers (over 20+ brand vouchers including Apple, PARKnSHOP, Klook etc) or Smasung Galaxy Fit (Value: HK$498) or JBL Clip 4 Ultra-portable Waterproof Speaker (Value:HK$499). If the product costs more, redeem with your points and top up the rest by purchasing additional SmartPoints. Click here to explore limitless possibilities at our Rewards Store! Including bank welcome offer, you can enjoy up to HK$500 rewards and up to 42,000 miles!
Which public holidays in Hong Kong can be extended to create longer breaks?
Hong Kong has several public holidays that can be extended to create longer breaks. Some of the most popular ones are Chinese New Year, Easter, Labour Day, and Christmas. These holidays often fall on weekdays, allowing you to take additional leave to extend your break.
How can I maximise my annual leave to have longer holidays in Hong Kong?
To maximise your annual leave and have longer holidays in Hong Kong, you can strategically plan your time off around public holidays and weekends. By taking leave on days adjacent to public holidays, you can create extended breaks. Additionally, you can plan your vacations during off-peak travel seasons to take advantage of lower prices and less crowded attractions, allowing you to make the most of your time off.
Frequently asked questions: HK public holiday
Which Hong Kong public holidays in 2024 can be extended to create longer breaks?
Some of the public holidays in Hong Kong that can be extended to create longer breaks are Chinese New Year, Easter, Labour Day, and Christmas.
What are some credit cards in Hong Kong that offer benefits for travellers?
A: Some credit cards in Hong Kong that offer benefits for travellers include Standard Chartered Cathay Mastercard and DBS BlackWorld Mastercard.
How can I maximise my annual leave to have longer holidays in Hong Kong?
To maximise your annual leave and have longer holidays in Hong Kong, you can strategically plan your time off around public holidays and weekends. Taking leave on days adjacent to public holidays can create extended breaks. Learn more from the blog article!
How many public holidays are there in Hong Kong in 2024?
There will be 17 public holidays in Hong Kong in 2024.
Related articles
There are several credit cards in Hong Kong that offer benefits for travellers. Some popular options include the Citibank PremierMiles Card, HSBC Visa Signature Card, and Standard Chartered Cathay Mastercard. These cards typically offer travel rewards such as airline miles, airport lounge access, travel insurance, and discounts on hotel bookings. Learn more about Asia Miles Credit Card!
Airport Lounge Access can surely uplift your travelling experience, go on and check out if you credit card includes this spoiling perk!
Want to stay ahead of the crowd? Visit the MoneySmart blog for more financial tips!
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