Use of the western calendat and the Chinese lunar calendar can make trying to determine the exact date of festivals a bit tricky. The Lantern Festival takes place in January or February. Lanterns are lit in homes, restaurants and temples. The secular Hong Kong Food Festival, billed as Asia's premier culinery event, is usually held in March. The Tin Hau Festival is a Taoist festival falling around late April. Junks are decorated and sail in long rows to Tin Hau temples to pray for clear skies and good fishing. The Dragon Boat Fesival is held in June, with dragon boat races taking place in Hong Kong and Outlying Islands. The Festival of Asian Arts is a major international event and usually occurs in October or November.
The Chinese administration has introduced two new holidays: Handover Day will be celebrated on 1 July, while Victory over Japan day is on 4 July.
The Chinese New Year of this year will be on 16 February.