
Hongkongers can enjoy 9-day Lunar New Year break, 6 long weekends in 2026
The Hong Kong government on Friday gazetted the dates for public holidays in 2026, with residents able to enjoy at least six long weekends next year by taking a couple of days of leave. There will be 17 days of public holidays in total next year.
Between the Lunar New Year holiday between February 17 and 19, residents working five days a week can enjoy a break of as long as nine days by taking leave on February 16 and 20.
Another long weekend will take place starting on Good Friday on April 3 to April 7, the latter of which is in lieu of the Ching Ming Festival coinciding with Easter Sunday.
'As the Ching Ming Festival in 2026 falls on a Sunday, the following day will be designated as a general holiday in substitution,' a government spokesman said.
'As the day following the Ching Ming Festival falls on Easter Monday, the next day that is not itself a general holiday will be observed as an additional general holiday.'
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


South China Morning Post
an hour ago
- South China Morning Post
Mainland Chinese hotel brands poised to reshape Hong Kong's hospitality scene, analysts say
Mainland Chinese hotel operators are expected to significantly increase their presence in Hong Kong's hotel industry , potentially replacing established brands in the coming years, according to analysts. Currently, Western and international operators dominate Hong Kong's hotel landscape, while Chinese ones have a minor presence. Among some of the more notable mainland players, BTG Homeinns operates both upscale and mid-market hotels in Hong Kong, including the Wharney Hotel in Wan Chai, Oasis Avenue in Tsim Sha Tsui, and Oasis Aurum 181 in Sai Ying Pun. However, mainland brands had significant potential for growth, said Hannah Jeong, executive director and head of valuation and advisory services at CBRE Hong Kong. 'The Chinese operators are increasing their footprint and it's a global trend,' said Jeong, adding that because 70 per cent of tourists in Hong Kong came from the mainland, Chinese hotels 'must show their presence' in the city. The shift reflects the growing ambition of Chinese hotel operators to expand beyond the mainland, which could give them a competitive edge in attracting hotel asset owners, according to CBRE. Tourists at the Observation Deck of the Peak Tower. Photo: Elson Li Hotel operations typically follow several business models, such as a master lease – where the hotel owner leases the asset to an operator – or hotel service management, whereby the operator manages the hotel on behalf of the owner.


South China Morning Post
2 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
When travellers think sustainability, make them think Greater Bay Area
Earlier this year, Hong Kong launched its first fully electric ferry . In June, jurisdictions within the Greater Bay Area development zone marked a national event for the environment. Against this backdrop, a quiet but important shift is under way. Policymakers in the Greater Bay Area are no longer just thinking about sustainability; they are setting it in motion. With the development zone becoming a hub for experimentation in smart infrastructure and climate innovation, the time is ripe to consider a low-carbon tourism corridor linking cities through cleaner and smarter ways to travel. Guangdong province, Hong Kong and Macau are already renowned for connectivity, with high-speed rail cross-border bridges and integrated metro systems . But while the physical infrastructure is world-class, the carbon cost of mobility remains high. Tourism, in particular, still leans heavily on diesel coaches, fragmented itineraries and high-emission transfers. Hong Kong has taken important first steps. The city's newly launched 400-seat electric ferry is capable of up to 52 daily trips. Trial runs are also under way for a second electric vessel. But the shift to a green tourism economy cannot rest on hardware alone. It must be matched by systems, partnerships and experiences that reflect the changing priorities of today's travellers. Neighbouring Shenzhen can offer valuable insight into this aspect. As of early this year, the city was home to over 1.3 million electric vehicles (EVs), or 28.6 per cent of its fleet. Shenzhen was the first city in the world to fully electrify its bus and taxi networks. The city boasts more than 370,000 charging stations. This transformation has been built on years of forward-looking and coordinated policy and collaboration between government and industry. The pace of Shenzhen's progress may not be replicable everywhere, but the mindset is transferable. Meanwhile, Hong Kong is gaining ground . While nearly seven out of 10 newly registered private cars are electric, progress in public and commercial transport lags behind. Only 1.4 per cent of the city's 6,000 franchised buses and just 0.5 per cent of its 18,000 taxis are electric. This is a concern given that public and heavy vehicles account for 80 per cent of transport-related emissions, which in turn make up one-fifth of our total carbon footprint.


South China Morning Post
5 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
When travellers think sustainability, make them think Greater Bay Area
Earlier this year, Hong Kong launched its first fully electric ferry . In June, jurisdictions within the Greater Bay Area development zone marked a national event for the environment. Against this backdrop, a quiet but important shift is under way. Policymakers in the Greater Bay Area are no longer just thinking about sustainability; they are setting it in motion. With the development zone becoming a hub for experimentation in smart infrastructure and climate innovation, the time is ripe to consider a low-carbon tourism corridor linking cities through cleaner and smarter ways to travel. Guangdong province, Hong Kong and Macau are already renowned for connectivity, with high-speed rail cross-border bridges and integrated metro systems . But while the physical infrastructure is world-class, the carbon cost of mobility remains high. Tourism, in particular, still leans heavily on diesel coaches, fragmented itineraries and high-emission transfers. Hong Kong has taken important first steps. The city's newly launched 400-seat electric ferry is capable of up to 52 daily trips. Trial runs are also under way for a second electric vessel. But the shift to a green tourism economy cannot rest on hardware alone. It must be matched by systems, partnerships and experiences that reflect the changing priorities of today's travellers. Neighbouring Shenzhen can offer valuable insight into this aspect. As of early this year, the city was home to over 1.3 million electric vehicles (EVs), or 28.6 per cent of its fleet. Shenzhen was the first city in the world to fully electrify its bus and taxi networks. The city boasts more than 370,000 charging stations. This transformation has been built on years of forward-looking and coordinated policy and collaboration between government and industry. The pace of Shenzhen's progress may not be replicable everywhere, but the mindset is transferable. Meanwhile, Hong Kong is gaining ground . While nearly seven out of 10 newly registered private cars are electric, progress in public and commercial transport lags behind. Only 1.4 per cent of the city's 6,000 franchised buses and just 0.5 per cent of its 18,000 taxis are electric. This is a concern given that public and heavy vehicles account for 80 per cent of transport-related emissions, which in turn make up one-fifth of our total carbon footprint.