2025 in Hong Kong has 17 days of Public holiday. Planning ahead can help employees arrange longer breaks for travel. M & N Business explains Public holiday and Statutory holidays their differences, and shares a practical 2025 Public Holiday Guide, including how to take 3 days of leave for a 7-day break or 3 days for a 9-day break around National Day, Mid-Autumn Festival, and Christmas, whether travelling abroad or exploring locally.
Statutory and Public Holidays in 2025 at a Glance
Holiday and Date | Statutory holiday | Public holiday |
New Year’s Day (Wednesday, 1 January) | ✔ | ✔ |
Lunar New Year’s Day (Wednesday, 29 January) | ✔ | ✔ |
The Second Day of Lunar New Year (Thursday, 30 January) | ✔ | ✔ |
The Third Day of Lunar New Year (Friday, 31 January) | ✔ | ✔ |
Ching Ming Festival (Friday, 4 April) | ✔ | ✔ |
Good Friday (18 April, Friday) | ✗ | ✔ |
The Day Following Good Friday (Saturday, 19 April) | ✗ | ✔ |
Easter (Monday, 21 April) | ✗ | ✔ |
Labour Day (Thursday, 1 May) | ✔ | ✔ |
The Birthday of the Buddha (Monday, 5 May) | ✔ | ✔ |
Tuen Ng Festival (Saturday, 31 May) | ✔ | ✔ |
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Establishment Day(Tuesday, 1 July) | ✔ | ✔ |
National Day (Wednesday, 1 October) | ✔ | ✔ |
The Day Following the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival (Tuesday, 7 October) | ✔ | ✔ |
Chung Yeung Festival (Wednesday, 29 October) | ✔ | ✔ |
Christmas Day (Thursday, 25 December) | ✔ | ✔ |
The First Weekday After Christmas Day (Friday, 26 December) | ✔ | ✔ |
What Are Statutory Holidays?
Statutory holidays, also commonly called labour holidays or blue-collar holidays, are provided under Hong Kong’s Employment Ordinance. All employees are entitled to at least 14 statutory holidays a year, with the number gradually increasing to 17 in future.
All employees are entitled to statutory holidays regardless of length of service, including part-time employees, foreign domestic helpers, and blue-collar workers. Employers must arrange statutory holidays whether or not an employee meets the continuous-contract requirements. Employees must, however, have been employed under a continuous contract for 3 months before the statutory holiday to qualify for holiday pay.
What Are Public Holidays?
Under the General Holidays Ordinance, public holidays, also called bank holidays or red-letter days, provide 17 days of holidays a year, more than Statutory holiday. However, entitlement to Public holiday varies according to the employment contract and is determined by each company.
Generally, employees in most Hong Kong offices, banks, educational institutions, public bodies, and government departments enjoy these holidays.
What Is the Difference Between Public and Statutory Holidays?
All employees are legally entitled to statutory holidays, while entitlement to public holidays depends on the employment contract. For example, the Easter holidays in 2025 shown above, on 18 April, 19 April, and 21 April, are public holidays but not statutory holidays.
Planning Leave Around Public Holidays in 2025
To help you make the most of your holidays in 2025, here are leave-planning strategies for the major festivals and longer breaks.
1. Lunar New Year (January: Take 2 Days of Leave for 9 Days Off)
The 2025 Lunar New Year holiday spans late January and early February. Taking leave on 27 and 28 January gives a break from 27 January to 4 February, lasting 9 days.
2. Easter (April: Take 4 Days of Leave for 10 Days Off)
The Easter holidays in 2025 fall on Friday, 18 April; Saturday, 19 April; and Monday, 21 April. Taking 4 days of leave from 14 to 17 April or from 22 to 25 April can create a 10-day break.
3. Labour Day + the Birthday of the Buddha (Take 1 Day of Leave for 5 Days Off)
For Labour Day and the Birthday of the Buddha in 2025, taking 1 day of leave on 2 May gives a 5-day break from 1 May to 5 May.
4. National Day + Mid-Autumn Festival (October: Take 3 Days of Leave for 7 Days Off)
National Day on 1 October and the day following Mid-Autumn Festival on 7 October are close together. Taking leave on 2 and 3 October and on 6 October gives a full 7-day break from 1 to 7 October.
5. Chung Yeung Festival (October: Take 2 Days of Leave for 5 Days Off)
Chung Yeung Festival falls on a Wednesday in 2025. Taking 2 days of leave on either 27 to 28 October or 30 to 31 October gives a 5-day break from 29 October to 2 November.
6. Christmas (December: Take 3 Days of Leave for 9 Days Off)
Christmas in 2025 is close to New Year’s Day. Taking leave from 22 to 24 December gives a break from 24 December to 1 January 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
If a statutory holiday falls on a rest day, the employer must arrange another holiday on the following day. That holiday must not coincide with another statutory holiday, alternative holiday, substituted holiday, or rest day.
Yes, but another holiday must be arranged within the prescribed period, and the employee must receive advance notice within the specified time. The employer should notify the employee of the alternative holiday within 60 days before the statutory holiday, or at least 48 hours in advance. If the alternative holiday is arranged after the statutory holiday, it must fall within the following 60 days, with at least 48 hours’ notice to the employee.
