School Holidays in Hong Kong 2024-2025

Are you ready for the school year ahead in Hong Kong? Planning around school holidays is crucial for students, parents, and teachers. In this guide, we’ll break down the key dates for 2024-2025, from public holidays to term breaks in both public and private schools. Whether you're organising a family getaway or looking for ways to keep the kids busy, we’ve got all the essential details to help you stay prepared.

Overview of School Holidays in Hong Kong (2024-2025)

The Hong Kong Education System is known for its unique blend of local public schools and international schools offering international curricula such as the International Bacchalaureate (IB). Navigating the holiday dates can therefore be confusing. So here’s a summary table of the key school holidays in Hong Kong from September 2024 to September 2025, including public holidays and term breaks for both public and private schools:

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List of Public Holidays in Hong Kong (2024 - 2025)

Hong Kong is known for being the place with the most public holidays due to its unique history blending the West and the East. Public holidays in Hong Kong are also special times for families to relax and celebrate together. Below is a list of public holidays from September 2024 to August 2025:

• Mid-Autumn Festival – 17 September 2024 (Tuesday): Celebrates harvest and family unity with moon-gazing and mooncakes.
• National Day – 1 October 2024 (Tuesday): Marks the founding of the People's Republic of China with festivities.
• Chung Yeung Festival – 11 October 2024 (Friday): A day to honour ancestors through grave visits.
• Christmas Day – 25 December 2024 (Wednesday): Celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ with family gatherings.
• Boxing Day – 26 December 2024 (Thursday): A day of giving and relaxation after Christmas.
• New Year’s Day – 1 January 2025 (Wednesday): Welcomes the new year with celebrations.
• Lunar New Year’s Day – 29 January 2025 (Wednesday): Begins the Chinese New Year with family reunions.
• Second day of Lunar New Year – 30 January 2025 (Thursday): Continues New Year celebrations with visits to loved ones.
• Third day of Lunar New Year – 31 January 2025 (Friday): More festivities and ancestral respects.
• Good Friday and the Day Following Good Friday – 18 April 2025 (Friday) to 19 April 2025 (Saturday): Commemorates Jesus Christ's crucifixion.
• Easter Monday – 21 April 2025 (Monday): Follows Easter Sunday with family activities.
• Labour Day – 1 May 2025 (Thursday): Recognises workers' contributions.
• The Birthday of the Buddha – 5 May 2025 (Monday): Commemorates the Buddha's birthday.
• Tuen Ng Festival – 31 May 2025 (Saturday): Commemorates poet Qu Yuan with dragon boat races.
• Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Establishment Day – 1 July 2025 (Tuesday): Celebrates Hong Kong’s return to China in 1997.

On the public holidays, most government agencies and businesses would be closed for the day, meaning that parents typically have time off work to take care of children or even go on trips together!

List of Public and Private School Term Breaks in Hong Kong (2024-2025)

The Hong Kong Education System has increasingly placed an emphasis on the importance of rests and taking holiday breaks, given the notoriously high pressure that students experience in Hong Kong. In Hong Kong, term breaks differ between public and private schools. Public schools generally adhere to a more uniform schedule set by the Education Bureau (EDB), which recommends the start and end dates for the school year, term breaks, and that the minimum instructional days should be no fewer than 190 days. In contrast, private schools, especially those offering international curricula, may have slightly different term breaks, often longer or shifted to align with global holidays.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of the term breaks:

Public Schools

• Christmas Break: 24 December 2024 (Tuesday) to 2 January 2025 (Thursday) – This break coincides with the festive season, allowing families to enjoy Christmas and New Year’s celebrations together. However, the exact dates of the break may vary by school. Some schools may choose to let the holidays start earlier to allow students ample time for resting and preparation for the exams after the term break.
• Lunar New Year Break: 29 January 2025 (Wednesday) to 31 January 2025 (Friday) – This break coincides with the Chinese Lunar New Year holidays, which public schools typically extend for students to take an additional few days off around the public holidays. In total, public school students usually take around one to two weeks off.
• Easter Break: 18 April 2025 (Friday) to 21 April 2025 (Monday) – Typically, public schools would allow students to take at least a week's break around these dates. Perfect for a getaway or family time.
• Summer Term Break: Early July 2025 to Late August 2025 – The longest break in the school year, this summer holiday is a time for relaxation, travel, and preparation for the next academic year. Students typically engage in summer camps, extracurriculars or private tutoring.

Private Schools

• Half Term Break (Autumn Term): Mid-October 2024 (Exact dates vary by school) – Typically, private schools have a short break in mid-October, giving students a brief rest before the busy winter term.
• Term Break (Christmas): Mid-December 2024 to Early January 2025 – This break coincides with the festive season, typically giving students three weeks off to enjoy the holidays with family.
• Half Term Break (Spring Term): 29 January 2025 (Wednesday) to 31 January 2025 (Friday) – This break coincides with the Chinese Lunar New Year holidays and students usually take one week off.
• Term Break (Easter): 18 April 2025 (Friday) to 21 April 2025 (Monday) – Typically, private schools allow students to take two weeks off for Easter.
• Half Term Break (Summer Term): Late May 2025 – Typically, private schools allow students to take a few days off before Summer Term resumes.
• Summer Term Break (Private Schools): Early-July 2025 to Early September 2025 – Private schools often start their summer break slightly later and end slightly later, which can be advantageous for families planning international travel.

These term breaks provide students with essential downtime to rest and engage in extracurricular activities, while the slight differences between public and private schools' schedules offer flexibility for families with children in different systems. For example, one of the Best IB schools in Hong Kong explained their decision to let students have an earlier start of summer holiday this way:

"We allow students to start their summer holiday earlier to ensure they have time to rest and recharge after rigorous IB exams, fostering a healthy balance between academics and personal well-being."

List of Public and Private School Holidays in Hong Kong (2024-2025)

In addition to the term breaks and public holidays, schools in Hong Kong also observe specific school holidays that vary between public and private institutions. These holidays are crucial for administrative purposes or special observances within the school calendar.

Key holidays include:

• Teacher Development Days: These are typically non-instructional days dedicated to professional development for teachers. They vary by school but are often scheduled around term breaks.
• School Anniversary Days: Some schools, particularly private ones, observe holidays to celebrate their founding. These dates differ from school to school.
• Internal Examination Periods: During major exams, schools may schedule additional days off for students not involved in testing.

The specific dates for these holidays can differ between schools, especially in the private sector, where schools may align these days with their unique calendars or international schedules. Parents should check their child's school calendar for exact dates.

School Holiday Activities in Hong Kong

School holidays are the perfect time for students in Hong Kong to explore new interests, develop skills, and have fun. Instead of just relaxing at home, students can dive into enriching experiences that not only entertain but also broaden their horizons. Here are five exciting activities to make the most of their time off:

• Summer Camps: Participate in extended summer camps such as the Hong Kong Geopark Explorer Camp which offer immersive learning experiences and fun activities over several days.
• Language Immersion Programmes: Enrol in language immersion programmes like the Alliance Française Hong Kong Summer Camp, where students can enhance their French skills through interactive classes and summer camps spanning multiple days.
• STEM Workshops and Coding Bootcamps: Join comprehensive STEM workshops or coding bootcamps offered by organisations such as Code Club Hong Kong or Hong Kong Science Park, providing in-depth learning experiences over several sessions.
• Private Tutoring: For international school students, strengthen academic skills and prepare for the school year ahead with an IB tutor in Hong Kong, especially if you're attending some of the Best International Schools in Hong Kong, to acquire personalised support and get ahead of the curve.
• Study Abroad Programmes: Explore study abroad opportunities with organisations like Global Education, offering students a chance to gain international experience and cultural exposure during the summer or winter breaks.

These activities provide a balanced mix of education, skill enhancement, and recreation, ensuring students make the most of their school holidays.

Conclusion

With so many exciting options for the holidays, your child can make the most of their time off in Hong Kong. From hands-on summer camps to study abroad adventures, there's something to ignite every passion. So, dive into these opportunities and watch your child learn, grow, and have fun all year round!