Hong Kong Festivals and Events
October 2013

Here are the top Hong Kong Festivals and events for October 2013.

To start off the month are the National Day celebrations on October 1st and as the colorful lanterns and the Mid-Autumn celebrations wind down, the pumpkins and goblins are just getting started as Halloween fests are in full swing and the Hong Kong International Jazz Festival kicks off this month.

National Day Events - October 1, 2013
Glitzy lanterns and fiery dragons: The The Mid-Autumn Festival Celebrations wrap up October 5, 2013, but another festival is around the corner, Chung Yeung Festival is on October 13, 2013
Hong Kong Halloween 2013 celebrations Through October 31, 2013
Hong Kong International Jazz Festival - September 29 - October 2, 2013
~~Hong Kong Cricket Sixes 2013~~ - ~~October 26-27, 2013~~ Cancelled due to lack of sponsorship
Hong Kong Wine and Dine Festival - October 31-November 3, 2013

And check-out these popular ongoing events during October 2013:

Free cultural exhibitions: Kung Fu, Tai Chi, Feng Shui
The Symphony of Lights, Hong Kong's light and sound show
Victoria Harbour Cruises for October 2013
It's race time! The Horse Races at Happy Valley

Hong Kong National Day Celebrations - October 1, 2013

October 1, 2013 marks the 64th Anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. To commemorate the occassion, a series of events are planned, such as flag raising ceremonies and parades.

This year, however, there will not be any fireworks as in previous years. The annual fireworks display has been cancelled out of respect for the victims of last year's ferry crash accident in which 39 people lost their lives.

Other activities and events for this year's National Day include:

Here's more on National Day Celebrations

Mid-Autumn Festival Celebrations

Last chance for Lantern Exhibitions from the 2013 Mid-Autumn Festival. HURRY!

Lantern Displays and Exhibitions

Mid-Autumn Thematic Lantern Exhibition

Tsim Sha Tsui at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza is fairly easy to pop in for tourists as it's just around the corner from the Star Ferry Terminal and the TST metro station.

This year's theme is "Home Sweet Home"
When?: From September 5 - October 13, 2013
How Much?: Free

Chung Yeung Festival - October 13, 2013

Chung Yeung Festival is Autumn Remembrance Day.

This is a day for families to get together, visit the graves of the ancestors and pay their respects.

You are likely to see a lot of activity around the cemeteries throughout the territories as the typical offerings of Chinese paper money, incense, fruits and other foodstuffs are being brought.

Hong Kong Cricket Sixes 2013 - Cancelled

The 2013 edition of the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes has been sadly cancelled due to the absence of a tittle sponsor.

When?: ~~October 26 - 27, 2013 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.~~

Where?: ~~Kowloon Cricket Club, 10 Cox's Road, Kowloon~~

How Much? ~~TBA~~

More Info: Hong Kong Cricket Association

Hong Kong International Jazz Festival

Renowned jazz musicians from around the world will delight audiences with a series of performances, workshops, and photographic exhibitions.

When?: September 29 - October 2, 2013
Where?: Many venues throughout Hong Kong
How Much?: Free outdoor concerts, Concert Hall prices HK 180 - HK 380
More Info: Full line-up, programme and ticket information check the HK International Jazz Festival site.

Hong Kong Wine and Dine Festival - October 31-November 3, 2013

Hong Kong Wine and Dine Festival

Over 280 booths overlooking fantastic Victoria Harbour celebrating food and wine from around the world...

Wine tastings, live music and entertainment, culinary highlights, signature dishes from Hong Kong's top hotels and restaurants, pastries, cheeses, great wines and a fun atmosphere.

New this year is the Tasting Room with great offerings for wine pairing dinners, mastering wine and cheese, etc.

When?: October 31-November 3, 2013

Thursday October 31 - 8:30 p.m. - 11:30 p.m.
Friday November 1 - noon - midnight
Saturday November 2 - noon - midnight
Sunday November 3 - non - 10:30 p.m.

Where?: The New Central Harbourfront, easiest way to get there? With the Star Ferry, just a couple minutes away from the Central Pier.

How Much?: Adults HK 30, Children (3-11) and Seniors HK 15. For wine tasting, tokens are available for purchase, must be 18 or older and pricing varies according to wine quality.

More information at HKTB Wine and Dine Month.

Hong Kong Halloween Celebrations are in full swing now!

The ghostly decorations and waves of orange pumpkins, skeletons and vampires are making their way into the shopping centers and the theme parks in the territory. Villains, ghosts and goblins are already making the rounds.

There are many events, parties, and parades centered around Halloween this year.

Here are some highlights of this season:

Ocean Park Halloween Fest

What?:There will be many featured attractions this year, including fun for the little ones with games, funhouses, costume parties and contests, etc.

And the heavy-duty horror seekers will not be dissapointed, Ocean Park's array of haunted houses and live shows and concerts feature some of the best technological and state-of-the-art terror design.

When?: Weekends and Holidays in October, (Friday to Sunday from October 1 to October 31st 2013 and last three Thursdays in October) Exact dates: October 1, 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 24, 25, 26, 27, 31, 2013

Time: Park hours during Halloween days is 10:00 am to 10:00 pm, Halloween activities start at 1:00 pm

Where?: Throughout the Park

How Much? There used to be a complex ticket structure in past Halloween Fests at Ocean Park. Thankfully this year, they have done away with all those ticketing options and now your admission ticket covers all the day and night entertainment.

General Admission for Adults HK 320, Children HK 160. You can buy a "Premium Ticket" that gives you priority access to some of the most popular regular and Halloween activities for Adults HK 628 and Children HK 314. Remember you can buy tickets online and also at all 7-Elevens. Discounts available for students and Hong Kong residents.

More Info.

Disneyland Hong Kong Haunted Halloween Celebrations

What?: Trick or Treating with Mickey and the gang, Halloween parade, haunted mansions, creepy surprises! And this year, Disney introduces the "Scream-No-More Challenge"... with checkpoints located in all seven themed areas.

When?: October 4 through October 31, 2013. Opening hours will be extended to 11pm every Thursday to Sunday during this period.

Where?: Thoroughout the park

How Much? Included with park admission, reduced price night tickets also available during Halloween celebrations, admission is from 6:30 p.m.

More Info: Check our Hong Kong Disneyland Halloween page

Lan Kwai Fong Halloween Street Party

What?: A massive outdoor street party that needs no introduction

When?: October 31, 2013 dusk 'til...

Where?: Take MTR to Central Station Exit D2 and follow the crowds to D'Aguilar Street.

How Much? Free

More Info.

Ongoing Hong Kong Events for October, 2013

These are some popular ongoing events that are worth checking out, specially since they are FREE!

These events feature some of the great and ancient traditions of the territory and are offered by experts in their corresponding fields:

Tai Chi Class

Lion Dance Demo

Feng Shui Class

The Happy Valley Horse Races

Happy Valley Hong Kong whether or not you are a horse racing enthusiast is an experience not to be missed!

The beautiful horses, the skillful jockeys, the crowds going wild, they all add up to an exciting, fun-filled, thrilling atmosphere in a world-class venue.

The Happy Valley race course itself is a sight in itself, the city has built around it through the years and it is now practically surrounded by skyscrapers, an awesome experience specially at night when the city is illuminated.

When?: Wednesday Nights. First race starts at 7:15 p.m. and the gates open at 5:15 p.m. The races are done by 11:00 p.m.

Where?: Happy Valley Race Course

How Much? Depends, there are many ways to experience the races, from General Stand to Private Boxes and special packages including dinner and drinks. General Stand entrance starts at HK10. The "Come Horseracing Tour" US$135 provides transportation to/from your hotel, dinner and drinks and access to the Member's Boxes.

Click here for more on Happy Valley Horse Racing, how to get there and options for viewing the races.