Your Family-Friendly Guide To The Cheung Chau Bun Festival

The Cheung Chau Bun Festival, held on the tiny island of Cheung Chau in Hong Kong, is one of the world’s most unique and spirited local celebrations. Known for its vibrant mix of ancient traditions and community festivities, the festival marks the end of spring and attracts thousands of visitors each year. This year it falls from May 15 to 16, 2024, which corresponds to the fifth to ninth days of the fourth lunar month.

The free festival features a wide array of activities including the iconic Bun Scrambling Competition, the Climbing Carnival, and the visually stunning Piu Sik Parade. The Climbing Carnival will offer a full day of entertainment and competition and there’s also the Piu Sik Parade, featuring children dressed as deities and paraded on stilts. The most anticipated event, the Bun Scrambling Final, along with the Prize Presentation Ceremony will span from the night of May 15 at 11:30pm to the early hours of May 16, concluding at 12:45am.

Visitors can experience everything from watching lion dances to viewing papier-mâché effigies, and observing participants as they climb towering structures adorned with buns. Each aspect of the festival, from the bun towers to the buns themselves, is prepared by the local community, adding authenticity and charm to the event.

To make your journey smoother, additional ferry services will be available between Central (Central Pier No. 5) and Cheung Chau. Visitors are advised to arrive early for the ferries and stay updated on traffic news and event announcements. After the Bun Scrambling competition on May 16, an extra ferry will depart from Cheung Chau to Central at 1:15am. Click here for the ferry schedule and here for more information.

Check out our family-friendly guide to Cheung Chau here, with everything from where to go, eat and more!

Key Dates and Timings for the Cheung Chau Bun Festival 2024

• Climbing Carnival
  • Date: May 5, 2024 from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
• Piu Sik Parade
  • Date: May 15, 2024 at 2:00 PM
• Bun Scrambling Final and Prize Presentation Ceremony
  • Date: May 15 to May 16, 2024 from 11:30 PM (May 15) to 12:45 AM (May 16)