Making the Best of HK Public Holidays: A Guide to Maximising Annual Leave in 2024

Making the Best of HK Public Holidays: A Guide to Maximising Annual Leave in 2024

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:

Hong Kong Public Holidays in 2024
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!

How Can You Maximize The Public Holidays?
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.

Standard Chartered logo
MoneySmart Exclusive
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
MoneySmart Exclusive:

【 ✈️ Travel with CX Card & Jollying Pebble Suitcase! 🧳】From now until 31 October 2024, new cardholders who successfully apply for for Standard Chartered Cathy Mastercard now via MoneySmart to get Sennheiser Accentum True Wireless Earbuds (Value: HK$1,750) or POLAROID Go Instant Camera (Value: HK$999) or Jollying Pebble 20" Foldable Suitcase (Value: HK$899) or HK$900 Apple Store Gift Card or HK$900 PARKnSHOP supermarket vouchers or HK$900 HKTVmall e-Vouchers.
⠀⠀
【🌎Go Global, Stay Connected: Free 5GB eSIM】If you have successfully applied for a Standard Chartered Cathy Mastercard and submit the redemption form on or before 31 October, you can earn a 5GB Eskimo Global eSIM redemption code (Value: USD$25) within 14 days after the promotion ends! *400 quotas only, first come first served

Valid until 31 Oct 2024

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.

DBS logo
MoneySmart Exclusive
Redeem various mileage points without any fee
Welcome Offer
Up to 42,000 miles
Upon meeting local and overseas spending goal*
HK$3/mile
Miles Conversion (overseas spend)
HK$4/mile
MoneySmart Exclusive:

【🆙 Elevated Reward! Earn up to HK$1,699 Rewards🔊
From now until 31 October 2024, customers who successfully apply for DBS Blackworld Mastercard via MoneySmart, can enjoy Jollying Pebble Foldable Slim Suitcase 20" (Retail value: HK$899) / JBL Link 20 Voice-activated portable speaker (Retail value: HK$1,699)HK$500 Apple Store Gift Card / HK$500 PARKnSHOP Supermarket Voucher! You can also earn the bank welcome offer of up to 42,000 miles at the same time!

Valid until 31 Oct 2024

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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