Dragon Boat Festival

The Dragon Boat Festival (端午节, Duānwǔ jié) is a traditional Chinese festival celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth month of the Chinese calendar, which typically falls in late May or early June on the Gregorian calendar. In 2025, the festival will be observed on Saturday, May 31.

This festival commemorates the ancient patriotic poet Qu Yuan. Today, many people celebrate with a diverse range of activities. Here are some must-do traditions during the festival:

 1. Eating Zongzi

Enjoying zongzi, or sticky rice dumplings, is a cherished tradition during the festival. Zongzi are made with glutinous rice and come with a variety of fillings to suit all tastes. Traditionally wrapped in bamboo leaves, they are steamed or boiled before consumption.

Food preferences vary across China. For example, people in the south often enjoy savory zongzi, while those in the north may prefer sweet variations.

 2. Watching Dragon Boat Races

The dragon boat race originated in the Lingnan region of China, where it was believed that the water passing through the oars of dragon boats brought good fortune. In Hong Kong, numerous dragon boat races feature both local and international teams, providing an exciting atmosphere that embodies the spirit of the Dragon Boat Festival.

One of the upcoming one is the Hong Kong International Dragon Races on 7-8th June 2025, 8am-6pm and it takes place in Vitoria Harbour. If you are interested in it, you can find more details on the page here: https://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/what-s-new/events/dragon-boat-races.html .

 Additional Activities

In addition to these main traditions, many people also engage in activities such as drinking realgar wine, hanging up mugworts, and crafting festive scented sachets to enhance the celebration.