“The streets of Shau Kei Wan turned into a sea of colour last Sunday as local communities celebrated the Tam Kung Festival with a vibrant street procession in honour of the Taoist maritime deity. Dragon dance performers join the parade of the Tam Kung Festival in Shau Kei Wan on May 24, 2026. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. Lion and dragon dance troupes, martial artists and acrobats paraded along Shau Kei Wan Main Street East, from the Factory Street Playground to the historic Tam Kung Temple near the waterfront. With 2026 being the Year of the Horse, some performers also paid tribute to the zodiac animal. Tourists and residents flocked to the narrow streets of the eastern neighbourhood to watch the lively performances and tried to touch the dragon for good luck. Performers at the Tam Kung Festival parade in Shau Kei Wan on May 24, 2026. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. The celebration of Tam Kung’s birthday culminated at the 101-year-old temple , with worshippers burning incense and paper offerings for the sea deity, believed to have the power to control the weather and heal the sick. Lion dance performers outside the Tam Kung Temple during the Tam Kung Festival parade in Shau Kei Wan on May 24, 2026. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. The birthday of Tam Kung falls on the eighth day of the fourth lunar month, coinciding with Buddha’s Birthday. The festival is a remnant of Shau Kei Wan’s history as a fishing village. According to folklore, Tam Kung was born in today’s Huizhou county during the Yuan dynasty, and at the age of 12 attained Taoist enlightenment and discovered the secret of eternal youth. Dragon dance performers join the parade of the Tam Kung Festival in Shau Kei Wan on May 24, 2026. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. Roast suckling pig offerings are placed on a cart during the Tam Kung Festival parade in Shau Kei Wan on May 24, 2026. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. Children perform traditional music during the Tam Kung Festival parade in Shau Kei Wan on May 24, 2026. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. A performer dressed in a horse costume joins the Tam Kung Festival parade in Shau Kei Wan on May 24, 2026. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. Performers join the Tam Kung Festival parade in Shau Kei Wan on May 24, 2026. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. Dragon dance performers join the parade of the Tam Kung Festival in Shau Kei Wan on May 24, 2026. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. Performers push a cart with lucky pinwheels during the Tam Kung Festival parade in Shau Kei Wan on May 24, 2026. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. Children dressed as table tennis players join the Tam Kung Festival parade in Shau Kei Wan on May s4, 2026. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. People watch the Tam Kung Festival parade in Shau Kei Wan on May 24, 2026. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. Dragon dance performers join the parade of the Tam Kung Festival in Shau Kei Wan on May 24, 2026. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. Acrobat performers join the Tam Kung Festival parade in Shau Kei Wan on May 24, 2026. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. Acrobat performers join the Tam Kung Festival parade in Shau Kei Wan on May 24, 2026. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. Dragon dance performers join the parade of the Tam Kung Festival in Shau Kei Wan on May 24, 2026. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. People touch a dragon head for good luck during the Tam Kung Festival parade in Shau Kei Wan on May 24, 2026. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. A child performs a lion dance during the Tam Kung Festival parade in Shau Kei Wan on May 24, 2026. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.
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