Hong Kong Statutory Holidays 2028
In 2028 Hong Kong has 16 statutory holidays — the Employment Ordinance minimum every employee and foreign domestic helper is entitled to. Good Friday (Apr 14) joins the statutory list for the first time under the Employment (Amendment) Ordinance 2021, lifting the count from 15 to 16 and leaving only the day after Good Friday outside the statutory list until 2030. National Day (Oct 1) falls on a Sunday, so Monday Oct 2 is the statutory holiday in substitution.
Dates in 2028
| Date | Day | Holiday | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 1, 2028 | Saturday | The first day of JanuaryStatutory holiday | Statutory holiday |
| January 26, 2028 | Wednesday | Lunar New Year's DayStatutory holiday | Statutory holiday |
| January 27, 2028 | Thursday | The second day of Lunar New YearStatutory holiday | Statutory holiday |
| January 28, 2028 | Friday | The third day of Lunar New YearStatutory holiday | Statutory holiday |
| April 4, 2028 | Tuesday | Ching Ming FestivalStatutory holiday | Statutory holiday |
| April 14, 2028 | Friday | Good FridayA statutory holiday from 2028 under the Employment (Amendment) Ordinance 2021.Statutory holiday | Statutory holiday |
| April 17, 2028 | Monday | Easter MondayA statutory holiday since 2026.Statutory holiday | Statutory holiday |
| May 1, 2028 | Monday | Labour DayStatutory holiday | Statutory holiday |
| May 2, 2028 | Tuesday | The Birthday of the BuddhaStatutory holiday | Statutory holiday |
| May 29, 2028 | Monday | Tuen Ng FestivalStatutory holiday | Statutory holiday |
| July 1, 2028 | Saturday | HKSAR Establishment DayStatutory holiday | Statutory holiday |
| October 2, 2028 | Monday | National DayHoliday in substitution, as National Day (Oct 1) falls on a Sunday.Statutory holiday | Statutory holiday |
| October 4, 2028 | Wednesday | The day following the Chinese Mid-Autumn FestivalStatutory holiday | Statutory holiday |
| October 26, 2028 | Thursday | Chung Yeung FestivalStatutory holiday | Statutory holiday |
| December 21, 2028 | Thursday | Winter Solstice or Christmas DayDec 21 (Winter Solstice) or Dec 25 (Christmas) — at the option of the employer.Statutory holiday | Statutory holiday |
| December 26, 2028 | Tuesday | The first weekday after Christmas DayStatutory holiday | Statutory holiday |
Statutory holidays vs general holidays
Hong Kong runs two holiday lists. Statutory holidays are set by the Employment Ordinance and are the legal minimum every employee is entitled to. General holidays (gazetted by the Government, 17 a year) are the broader list that banks, schools and the public sector follow. The statutory list is the one that protects workers not covered by the more generous general-holiday arrangement.
The two lists are converging. Under the Employment (Amendment) Ordinance 2021 the statutory holidays are being increased step by step to match the 17 general holidays by 2030. The first weekday after Christmas joined the statutory list in 2024 and Easter Monday in 2026; Good Friday follows in 2028 and the day after Good Friday in 2030, completing the alignment.
At year-end the statutory holiday is the employer’s choice between the Winter Solstice and Christmas Day — not both — whereas general-holiday observers get Christmas and the following weekday.
Foreign domestic helpers — statutory holiday compliance for employers
Foreign domestic helpers (FDHs) covered by the Employment Ordinance are entitled to every statutory holiday from the first day of employment — length of service does not matter. Holiday pay is a separate entitlement: once the helper has been employed under a continuous contract for three months preceding the holiday, the employer must pay holiday pay for that day.
An employer must not pay money instead of granting the holiday — “buying out” a statutory holiday is an offence under the Employment Ordinance, even if the helper agrees. If the helper works on a statutory holiday with consent, the employer must arrange an alternative holiday within 60 days before or after it, with at least 48 hours’ notice.
Statutory holidays are separate from the weekly rest day (usually Sunday — 24 continuous hours off work). When a statutory holiday falls on the helper’s rest day, the employer must grant the holiday on the next day that is not a rest day, another statutory holiday or an alternative holiday. At year-end the employer chooses one statutory holiday only — the Winter Solstice or Christmas Day, not both — whereas the 17 general holidays are not an automatic entitlement for helpers.
Official sources & data
- General HolidaysVisit sourceGovHK
- General Holidays Ordinance (Cap. 149)Visit sourceHong Kong e-Legislation
- Increase of Statutory Holidays (Employment (Amendment) Ordinance 2021)Visit sourceLabour Department, HKSAR
- Holidays and Observances in Hong Kong in 2028Visit sourcetimeanddate.com
Frequently asked questions
How many statutory holidays does Hong Kong have in 2028?+
16, up from 15, because Good Friday (Apr 14, 2028) becomes a statutory holiday for the first time. General holidays remain at 17 — only the day after Good Friday is still general-only until 2030.
Is Good Friday a statutory holiday in Hong Kong in 2028?+
Yes. Under the Employment (Amendment) Ordinance 2021, Good Friday (Apr 14, 2028) is added to the statutory list for the first time in 2028, raising the statutory total to 16.
Are foreign domestic helpers entitled to statutory holidays in 2028?+
Yes. FDHs get all 16 statutory holidays in 2028 from day one. Holiday pay starts once the helper has been employed under a continuous contract for three months preceding the holiday.
Can an employer pay a domestic helper instead of granting a statutory holiday?+
No. Paying cash in lieu of a statutory holiday (“buy-out”) is prohibited under the Employment Ordinance and is an offence, even if the helper agrees.
What if a statutory holiday falls on a domestic helper’s rest day?+
The employer must grant the holiday on the next day that is not a rest day, another statutory holiday or an alternative holiday. Rest days (usually Sunday) and statutory holidays are separate entitlements.
Are statutory holidays increasing in Hong Kong?+
Yes. Under the Employment (Amendment) Ordinance 2021 the statutory list rises step by step: 14 days from 2024, 15 from 2026, 16 from 2028 (Good Friday — the milestone for 2028) and 17 from 2030 (day after Good Friday), matching the 17 general holidays.
Why is October 2, 2028 a statutory holiday?+
Because National Day (Oct 1) falls on a Sunday in 2028, the holiday is moved in substitution to Monday Oct 2 — the same rule applies to statutory and general holidays.
Is Christmas Day always a statutory holiday?+
Not exactly. At year-end the statutory holiday is the employer’s choice between the Winter Solstice (Dec 21, 2028) and Christmas Day (Dec 25) — one or the other, not both.
Which general holiday is not yet statutory in 2028?+
Only the day following Good Friday (Apr 15, 2028) remains general-only — it becomes statutory in 2030, completing the alignment at 17 days.