Hong Kong Holiday 2025 – Full List and Key Dates

Hong Kong residents and employers should mark their calendars for the 2025 public holiday schedule, which outlines both general and statutory holidays applicable across the territory. The official list, published by the Hong Kong government, covers all mandatory paid days off for workers, including foreign domestic helpers, throughout the year.

The 2025 schedule includes 17 general holidays, with 13 to 17 of these designated as statutory holidays depending on employment terms. Understanding the distinction between general holidays and statutory holidays is essential for both employers and employees to ensure compliance with the Employment Ordinance.

This guide provides a comprehensive overview of Hong Kong’s 2025 public holidays, statutory requirements, monthly breakdowns, and resources for printable calendars. Official government sources form the basis of all information presented here.

What are the public holidays in Hong Kong in 2025?

Hong Kong’s public holiday framework operates on two levels. General holidays apply to most workers in the public and private sectors, while statutory holidays carry mandatory paid leave provisions under the Employment Ordinance. Both categories are published annually by the government, with the official table available on the GovHK website.

Key insights from the 2025 schedule

• General holidays total 17 days, applicable across government and most private sector employers
• Statutory holidays currently number 13 days, with a phased increase to 17 days by 2030
• Chinese New Year provides the longest consecutive break, typically spanning three days
• May features two statutory holidays in close succession: Labour Day and Buddha’s Birthday
• If a statutory holiday falls on a Sunday, employers must provide a substitute rest day
• Foreign domestic helpers receive the same statutory holiday entitlements as other employees
• Additional public holidays such as Good Friday and Easter Monday may be granted voluntarily by employers but are not legally required

Complete 2025 holiday snapshot

What are the statutory holidays in Hong Kong for 2025?

Statutory holidays represent days when employers are legally required to provide paid leave to employees covered under the Employment Ordinance. These apply to all workers, including foreign domestic helpers, regardless of their nationality or length of service after an initial qualifying period.

The 2025 statutory holiday list encompasses 13 designated days, with provisions for an additional holiday to be added annually until reaching 17 days by 2030. This gradual expansion reflects Hong Kong’s commitment to improving worker entitlements over time.

Statutory holiday dates for 2025

The official statutory holiday dates for 2025 include the following key dates throughout the year. According to the Hong Kong government holiday schedule, these dates carry mandatory paid leave requirements for all covered employees.

• 1 January (Wednesday) – New Year’s Day
• 29-31 January (Wednesday-Friday) – Lunar New Year
• 4 April (Friday) – Ching Ming Festival
• 1 May (Thursday) – Labour Day
• 5 May (Monday) – Buddha’s Birthday
• 31 May (Saturday) – Tuen Ng Festival
• 1 July (Tuesday) – HKSAR Establishment Day
• 1 October (Wednesday) – National Day
• 29 October (Wednesday) – Chung Yeung Festival
• 25 December (Thursday) – Christmas Day / Winter Solstice
• 26 December (Friday) – Boxing Day

Monthly breakdown of public holidays

January kicks off with New Year’s Day on the first, followed by the extended Lunar New Year break spanning three consecutive days from the 29th through the 31st. This cluster provides the longest sustained break of the year, making it popular for travel and family gatherings.

April brings the Ching Ming Festival on the fourth, while May becomes particularly busy with Labour Day on the first and Buddha’s Birthday on the fifth falling just four days apart. The month concludes with Tuen Ng Festival on the 31st.

July sees HKSAR Establishment Day on the first, with October marking another significant cluster as National Day on the first precedes Chung Yeung Festival on the 29th. The year closes with the Christmas period, where Christmas Day shares the date with Winter Solstice on the 25th, followed by Boxing Day on the 26th.

Employer and employee obligations

Both employers and employees should maintain awareness of their respective obligations under the Employment Ordinance. Employers must ensure timely notification of upcoming holidays and proper arrangements for substitute rest days when statutory holidays coincide with Sundays.

For foreign domestic helpers specifically, the same statutory holiday provisions apply. Employers should consult the Foreign Domestic Helpers section of the government website for detailed guidance on employment conditions and entitlements.

Employees who believe their rights have been infringed may file complaints with the Labour Department, which oversees enforcement of holiday pay requirements across all sectors.

Planning ahead for 2025

With 17 general holidays and 13 statutory holidays confirmed for 2025, both businesses and workers can plan their calendars accordingly. The phased increase in statutory holidays means the number of mandatory paid leave days will continue rising through the decade.

For those seeking additional days off, employers may voluntarily extend arrangements to include Good Friday and Easter Monday, though these remain non-statutory unless specifically offered in individual employment contracts.

The official Hong Kong government holiday schedule should be consulted for the most current and authoritative information regarding all public and statutory holiday dates.

Summary

Hong Kong’s 2025 public holiday structure offers clarity for planning purposes. The distinction between general holidays applicable to most workers and statutory holidays carrying legal leave requirements remains fundamental to understanding entitlements. With the official schedule now available, employers can ensure compliance while employees can anticipate their time off throughout the year.

For printable calendars and additional resources, the GovHK website provides downloadable formats suitable for both personal and workplace use. The Labour Department’s employment hotline offers further assistance for specific queries regarding holiday entitlements and employment conditions.

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