The First Weekday After Christmas in Hong Kong
In Hong Kong, the first weekday after Christmas is a general holiday and a statutory holiday for employees. Its date follows the calendar, while the Christmas season around it brings festive displays, shopping and dining across the city.[1][2][3]
A Hong Kong holiday by law
Hong Kong distinguishes general holidays from statutory holidays under separate laws. The first weekday after Christmas appears in both calendars: the General Holidays Ordinance covers the public holiday, while the Employment Ordinance lists it as a statutory holiday for employees.[1][2]
On general holidays, banks, educational establishments, public offices and government departments need not open. The statutory holiday gives employees a day off under the Employment Ordinance, regardless of their length of service. An employer may ask an employee to work if it gives at least 48 hours’ notice and arranges an alternative holiday within the period set by law.[2]
Statutory holiday entitlement does not always mean holiday pay: an employee must have been employed under a continuous contract for at least three months to qualify. Employers cannot pay an employee instead of granting the statutory holiday. Private businesses may also offer leave on general holidays under employment agreements, so arrangements can vary by workplace.[1][2]
How the date is set
The holiday follows Christmas Day rather than a fixed weekday. Official calendars list 26 December when it is not Sunday, and the next day, 27 December, when 26 December falls on Sunday. This means the observance can fall on a Saturday or Monday, among other days.[3][4]
There is no automatic Monday holiday for everyone when the date falls on a Saturday. If the statutory holiday falls on an individual employee’s rest day, the employer must grant a holiday on the next day that is not another statutory, alternative, substituted or rest day. The rules for this employee-level arrangement are separate from the general holiday calendar.[1]
Christmas season in the city
Hong Kong Tourism Board describes Christmas Day and Boxing Day as public holidays and notes that many shops, restaurants and bars remain open. Its seasonal guide points to decorations in streets, shopping malls, offices and homes, including displays around Tsim Sha Tsui East, the Avenue of Stars and Central Harbourfront.[3]
The guide also highlights Christmas shopping areas and markets, including Sai Yee Street in Mong Kok, Ladies Market and the Discovery Bay Christmas Market. These are seasonal activities, not a single ceremony tied only to the holiday date; opening times and event details can vary.[3]
Festive dining is another part of the wider Christmas period. The Tourism Board lists hotel brunches and buffets, gingerbread, mince pies and other seasonal treats. These examples describe options available around the festive season, rather than a required Hong Kong custom or a particular traditional meal for this day.[3]
What to expect
Many retail and dining venues trade during the Christmas period, but opening hours vary. Check a specific venue’s hours before travelling. General holiday status means banks and government offices need not open, so plan official or banking business for another day.[2][3]
The holiday’s practical meaning is different for different people: a statutory day off for employees, a closure day for many public services and banks, and part of a busy shopping and dining season for visitors. Check with the relevant operator for public transport service details.[2][3]
Frequently asked questions
Is the first weekday after Christmas a day off in Hong Kong?
It is a statutory holiday for employees under the Employment Ordinance. An employer can require an employee to work with at least 48 hours’ notice and must arrange an alternative holiday as required by law.[1]
When does the holiday fall?
Are banks and government offices open?
They need not open on general holidays. Check with a specific office or bank for its arrangements.[2]
Are shops and restaurants open?
Many shops, restaurants and bars remain open during Hong Kong’s Christmas holidays, according to the Tourism Board, but hours vary by venue. Check ahead before visiting.[3]
Sources and references
Sources used for The first weekday after Christmas Day in Hong Kong SAR China:
- The Employment Ordinance, Cap. 57- Labour Department, The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
- LCQ16: Substitution of holidays- The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
- The Ultimate Guide to Celebrating Christmas in Hong Kong- Hong Kong Tourism Board
- Statutory Holidays for 2027- Labour Department, The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region