Hong Kong’s public holiday system is simpler than most APAC markets, but employers must understand the distinction between Statutory Holidays and General Holidays. In 2026, Hong Kong observes 14 General Holidays and 14 Statutory Holidays — with Statutory Holidays being the legal minimum entitlement for all employees.
The key difference: General Holidays apply to banks, schools, and government offices, while Statutory Holidays are the minimum paid leave every employee receives under the Employment Ordinance.
This article is general information, not legal advice.
Key Takeaways
- Hong Kong has 14 General Holidays and 14 Statutory Holidays in 2026
- All employees are entitled to 14 paid Statutory Holidays per year
- General Holidays are observed by banks and government but are not automatically paid for all employees
- If a public holiday falls on a Sunday, the following weekday is a replacement holiday
- Employers must display a notice of holidays at the workplace
General Holidays 2026
| Holiday | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | 1 January | Thursday |
| Lunar New Year’s Day | 18 February | Wednesday |
| Second Day of Lunar New Year | 19 February | Thursday |
| Third Day of Lunar New Year | 20 February | Friday |
| Ching Ming Festival | 5 April | Sunday |
| Good Friday | 3 April | Friday |
| The Day Following Good Friday | 4 April | Saturday |
| Easter Monday | 6 April | Monday |
| Labour Day | 1 May | Friday |
| Buddha’s Birthday | 12 May | Tuesday |
| Tuen Ng Festival | 31 May | Sunday |
| Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Establishment Day | 1 July | Wednesday |
| Mid-Autumn Festival | 6 October | Tuesday |
| National Day | 1 October | Thursday |
| Chung Yeung Festival | 28 October | Wednesday |
| Christmas Day | 25 December | Friday |
| The Day Following Christmas Day | 26 December | Saturday |
Note: Ching Ming Festival (5 April) and Tuen Ng Festival (31 May) fall on Sundays in 2026. The replacement holidays will be observed on the following Monday for General Holidays.
Statutory Holidays 2026
Since 2022, all employees in Hong Kong are entitled to 14 Statutory Holidays. These are:
| Holiday | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | 1 January | Thursday |
| Lunar New Year’s Day | 18 February | Wednesday |
| Second Day of Lunar New Year | 19 February | Thursday |
| Third Day of Lunar New Year | 20 February | Friday |
| Good Friday | 3 April | Friday |
| The Day Following Good Friday | 4 April | Saturday |
| Easter Monday | 6 April | Monday |
| Labour Day | 1 May | Friday |
| Buddha’s Birthday | 12 May | Tuesday |
| Hong Kong SAR Establishment Day | 1 July | Wednesday |
| National Day | 1 October | Thursday |
| Chung Yeung Festival | 28 October | Wednesday |
| Christmas Day | 25 December | Friday |
| The Day Following Christmas Day | 26 December | Saturday |
Important: The Statutory Holiday list does not include Ching Ming Festival, Tuen Ng Festival, or Mid-Autumn Festival — these are General Holidays only.
General Holidays vs Statutory Holidays: What’s the Difference?
| Feature | General Holidays | Statutory Holidays |
|---|---|---|
| Who must observe | Banks, schools, government | All employers |
| Legal requirement | No (convention) | Yes (Employment Ordinance) |
| Paid leave | Depends on contract | Yes, mandatory |
| Number | 14 | 14 |
| Can substitute | Yes (with approval) | Yes (with employee agreement) |
Employer Obligations
- Statutory Holidays are mandatory — you must grant 14 paid holidays per year
- General Holidays are not automatically mandatory for private sector employers unless the employment contract or company policy provides for them
- If your company follows General Holidays instead of the Statutory list, you must grant at least 14 paid holidays that are no less favourable
Replacement Holiday Rules
When a public holiday falls on a Sunday (or on a rest day for the employee), the following rules apply:
- General Holidays: The next business day is observed as a replacement
- Statutory Holidays: The next working day that is not a public holiday is the replacement
In 2026, the following holidays fall on Sundays:
- Ching Ming Festival (5 April) — replaced by Monday 6 April (Easter Monday already observed)
- Tuen Ng Festival (31 May) — replaced by Monday 1 June
Practical tip: When multiple holidays fall on the same day or consecutive days, carefully track which replacements are granted to avoid disputes.
Paying Employees on Public Holidays
Statutory Holidays
If a Statutory Holiday falls on a day the employee would normally work, they are entitled to a paid holiday at their average daily wages. If they work on a Statutory Holiday:
- They are entitled to an additional holiday within 60 days, OR
- Holiday pay plus an additional day’s pay (as per the Employment Ordinance)
Average Daily Wage Calculation
The average daily wage is calculated as:
Average Daily Wage = Total Wages in the 12-month period before the holiday / Total Number of Days in the Same Period
Include all wages, allowances, and bonuses in the calculation.
Company Holidays
If your company provides more than 14 holidays (e.g., following the General Holiday calendar), the additional holidays are a contractual benefit, not a statutory requirement. Review your employment contracts to confirm.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do employees get paid on General Holidays that are not Statutory Holidays?
Only if your employment contract or company policy provides for paid General Holidays. The Employment Ordinance only mandates 14 Statutory Holidays.
Can an employer require employees to work on Statutory Holidays?
Yes, but they must provide either an additional holiday within 60 days or pay holiday pay plus an additional day’s wages. The employee cannot be denied the holiday entitlement.
What about part-time employees?
Part-time employees are entitled to Statutory Holidays on a pro-rata basis. If they work fewer than the full 14 days, they still receive the paid holiday for days they would have worked.
How do I handle holidays that fall on the employee’s rest day?
If a Statutory Holiday falls on the employee’s rest day, the next working day that is not a public holiday becomes the replacement holiday.
Are there any holidays that are not in the Statutory list but are widely observed?
Yes. Ching Ming Festival, Tuen Ng Festival, and Mid-Autumn Festival are General Holidays but not Statutory Holidays. Many employers provide these as additional paid days as a benefit.