October in Hong Kong: Weather, What to Pack, and What to See

Edited by Mike Aquino.

October is quite possibly one of the best months to visit Hong Kong. The city’s legendary humidity is low; the skies are clear and blue; while the constant sunshine makes October in Hong Kong the perfect month to explore the city.

Many Hong Kongers consider October and November as Hong Kong’s top months for leisure, as the temperature gauge dips below boiling and lets locals hit the beaches and hiking trails. Unfortunately, the good weather also brings a flood of tourists from all over, many of them mainland Chinese enjoying the “Golden Week” break in Hong Kong!

Before planning your October Hong Kong trip, take in the tips we’ve listed below.

Hong Kong Weather in October

With temperature highs of 82°F (28°C) and lows of 77°F (25°C), October in Hong Kong represents the fall season in full swing.

Residents and tourists can rejoice as the Hong Kong humidity plummets (to about 76%), meaning everybody can go outside again. Although the humidity has abated, the clear blue skies mean plenty of sunshine and almost no rainfall (the latter averaging about 100mm).

The fall months are great times of the year to spend outdoors. If you fancy hiking Hong Kong's wilder side, this is the best month to do it. Of course with the humidity dial turned down, this is also a fantastic time to see the markets and steamy shopping streets of Mongkok or Causeway Bay as well.

Travelers leaving the concrete jungles of Hong Kong Island and Kowloon will find relief in places like Hong Kong Wetland Park, where flocks of migrating sandpiper and starling rest on their way to warmer climes in the south.

The consistently sunny weather brings locals and tourists alike to Hong Kong's beaches in droves. And for good reason, too – October brings seaside temperatures averaging a very pleasant 82°F (28°C), with lifeguards and beach facilities primed for action.

What to Pack

Spending time outdoors in the pleasant October climate has its ups and downs.

Let’s start with the cloudless skies, and accompanying intense sun. When visiting in October, therefore, it's advisable to pack a head covering and plenty of sunscreen. If you plan to hit the hiking trails in the countryside, bring mosquito repellent, and walking shoes, as well as plenty of bottled water.

Pack clothes that suit your preferred activities – comfortable footwear suitable for either urban strolling or trail hiking, depending on your itinerary; a light sweater for the cooler evenings and invariably air-conditioned indoors; and light cotton tops for day-to-day wear.

October Events in Hong Kong

For the month of August, visitors to Hong Kong can participate in the following events and festivals:

National Day. On October 1, Hong Kong celebrates National Day, the anniversary of the foundation of the People’s Republic of China. The city marks the occasion with a massive fireworks display over Victoria Harbor.

Chung Yeung Festival. A traditional Chinese festival that sees Hong Kong locals making the trip up into the hills to burn offerings. Called the “hiking holiday”, Chung Yeung originates from a folk tale where a man is saved from a drowning death by being told to move to higher ground.

In 2019, the Chung Yeung Festival falls on October 7.

Hong Kong Tennis Open. For a week in mid-October, tennis fanatics in Hong Kong flock to Victoria Park’s Tennis Centre Court to watch up-and-coming world tennis talents contend for a chance to move up in the WTA rankings.

In 2019, the Hong Kong Tennis Open takes place from October 7 to 13. Visit their official site for more details: hktennisopen.hk

Oktoberfest. Another foreign-holiday import that has made a firm foothold in Hong Kong, locals celebrate Oktoberfest annually in beer festivals all across the territory. The original is still the best: Marco Polo Hotel’s German Bierfest lays on steins, sausages and silly trousers to mark the beer drinking festival.

In 2019, Marco Polo celebrates its German Bierfest from October 17 to 27, from 6pm to 11pm. Visit their official site for more details: gbfhk.com

Halloween. Both Hong Kong Disneyland and Ocean Park will be hosting American style extravaganzas to mark the spookiest day of the year on Halloween. But for the island's biggest (and drunkest) Halloween festival, go to Lan Kwai Fong's Halloween street party on the weekend just before (or on) October 31; costume optional, heavy drinking recommended.

Hong Kong Wine and Dine Festival. For four days between October and November, Victoria Harbour hosts a food-and-drink extravaganza, with some 400 booths serving an assortment of cuisines from all across the globe, punctuated with wine-tasting experiences hosted by noted sommeliers.

In 2019, the Hong Kong Wine and Dine Festival takes place from October 31 to November 3. Visit their official site for more details: hkwdf.discoverhongkong.com

October Travel Tips

October is one of Hong Kong's main conference months when thousands of delegates descend on the territory. You may find hotel room rates are higher than normal. It also means that many of the city’s hotels are filled up – book as far ahead as you can.

The first week of October, coinciding with National Day, is also the second of two “Golden Weeks”. Either Golden Week sees a temporary migration of tourists from across the border. Because of the Golden Week rush, making last-minute bookings a nightmare to deal with.