Hong Kong Festivals and Events
October 2016

To start off the month is a spectacular fireworks display for National Day on October 1st. This is a favourite holiday for Chinese, when they enjoy a "Golden Week" of days off. Needless to say, if you plan on being here during this period, you need to make as many arrangements in advance as most hotels, and transport venues will be running at full capacity.

The colorful lanterns of the Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations are winding down... and the pumpkins and goblins are just getting started as Halloween fests are in full swing in October!

Specially for foodies this month, the Hong Kong Wine and Dine Festival celebrates food and wine from around the world in one of the most spectacular settings overlooking Victoria Harbour and surrounded by Hong Kong's mindblowing skyline.

For sports enthusiasts, this is Hong Kong's Sport Month, featuring the Hong Kong Tennis Open and for the first time in Hong Kong, the Formula E Hong Kong ePrix.

Here's what's up in October 2016:

• National Day Events and Fireworks - October 1, 2016

• Macau Fireworks Contest Final Night - October 1, 2016

• Formula E Hong Kong ePrix - October 8 - 9, 2016

• Hong Kong Tennis Open - October 8 - 16, 2016

• Chung Yeung Festival - October 9, 2016

• Hong Kong Halloween 2016 celebrations Through October 31, 2016

• Hong Kong Wine and Dine Festival - October 27 - 30, 2016

And check-out these popular ongoing events during October 2016:

• 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 2016

• It's race time! The Horse Races at Happy Valley are on!

Hong Kong Celebrates National Day - October 1, 2016

October 1, 2016 marks the 67th Anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. To commemorate the occassion, a series of events are planned including the flag raising ceremonies and parades and a lavish fireworks display which will lit up Victoria Harbour as in previous years.

The fireworks can be seen from both sides of the Harbour. In the Kowloon side, they can be viewed in Tsim Sha Tsui all along the Promenade and Avenue of the Stars as well as the Hung Hom Bypass. In the Hong Kong Island side, there are many vantage points in Central, Wanchai, Causeway Bay and the Midlevels.

When?: October 1, 2016 at 9:00 pm and will last approximately 23 minutes
Where?: Wherever there's a view of Victoria Harbour
How Much?: Free!

Here's more on the 2016 National Day Celebrations

And our guide for the best free vantage points and tips for enjoying the fireworks.

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The 2016 Macau International Fireworks Contest
September 3, 10, 15, 24, Oct 1, 2016

Just next door in Macau... Five evenings of mesmerizing fireworks and music extravaganzas!!! Fireworks displays can be some of the most sensational spectacles one can witness, imagine the best of the best in the world battling it out on a competition that encompasses five evenings of stunning lights and sounds, with international teams competing for the coveted trophy.

Two teams participate each evening, each evening features a different theme. So who's competing this year?

When?: Saturdays September 3, 10, Thursday September 15, Saturdays September 24, October 1, 2016
Times?: 9:00 pm and 9:40 pm

• Saturday September 3 "Pyro Fantasia": Thailand, Portugal
• Saturday September 10 "Tribute to Bond": United Kingdom, Switzerland
• Thursday September 15 "Mid-Autumn Harmony": Japan, Korea
• Saturday September 24 "Stars from Afar": Italy, Canada
• Saturday October 1 "Celebration in the Sky": Romania, China

More Info: Macau Toursim Board

Getting to Macau: See our page on Macau Day Trip

And remember you can get Turbojet Macau Ferry Discount Tickets from Klook.com:

• Round Trip Weekday ticket: HK 317 US$ 41

• Round Trip Weekend Ticket: HK389 HK357 US$ 46

• One-Way Weekday, One-Way Weekend: HK343 HK336 US$ 44

More information and Booking Macau TurboJet Ferry Tickets ››

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FIA Formula E Hong Kong ePrix - October 8 - 9, 2016

The FIA Formula E Championship is the world’s first all-electric motor racing series. With exhilarating international racing and a supercharged line-up of world-class musical acts, the 2016 FIA Formula E HKT Hong Kong ePrix will electrify Asia's World City.

Set against the iconic skyline, the Hong Kong ePrix circuit is approximately a 2 km track located in the Hong Kong Central Harbourfront area. The 10-turn circuit uses the existing roads with drivers racing past instantly recognisable landmarks, such as the Central Star Ferry Pier and City Hall.

When?: October 8 - 9, 2016
Where?: Hong Kong Central Harbourfront area. An eVillage is set up with international music acts, live action big screens, games, simulators, a kids' area, food and beverages, and merchandise. Grandstand seats available for the best view of the action at Lung Wo Road and the Observation Wheel.
How Much?: HK$300 for EVillage general admission for both days, HK2,380 Grandstand admission, includes admission to EVillage. You can buy online discount tickets at Klook.com: eVillage Admission HK300 HKD240, Grandstand Admission (includes eVillage) HK2,380 HKD1,904

More Info, Circuit Map and Programme at the official site www.hkformulae.com.

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Hong Kong Tennis Open - October 8 - 16, 2016

The Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open is a WTA sanctioned International Series Event returning for its 3rd straight year in 2016 and will feature more than 50 of the world's best female tennis players in Victoria Park including seven times Grand Slam Singles Champion Venus Williams and this year's Australian and U.S. Open Singles Champion Angelique Kerber.

When?: October 8 - 16, 2016
Where?: Victoria Park Tennis Stadium
How Much?:HK$160 - HK$880

More Info, order of play and tickets at the official site for the Hong Kong Tennis Open.

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Chung Yeung Festival - October 9, 2016

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.

Chung Yeung Festival IS a public holiday in Hong Kong.

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Hong Kong Wine and Dine Festival - October 27 - 30, 2016

Over 300 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.

And don't miss the Tasting Room with great offerings for wine pairing dinners, mastering wine and cheese, etc.

When?: October 27 - 30, 2016

Where?: Central Harbourfront Hong Kong Island near Central Piers 9 and 10

How Much?: General Admission HK$30, 65+ and children 3-12 HK$15.
Tokens can be purchased as part of a package for wine and spirits tasting, while food and non-alcoholic beverages can be purchased from vendors with cash.
Classic Wine Pass HK$200 includes general admission, 8 classic wine tokens and complimentary wine glass

More information at HKTB Wine and Dine Month.

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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, Fright Dome Las Vegas, touted as one of the top five scariest attractions in America is coming to Hong Kong.

Here is what's on this Halloween in Hong Kong and some of the 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?: Selected dates from October 2 - 31, 2016

Time: Park opens at 10:00 am, Halloween activities from 11:00 on

Where?: Throughout the Park

How Much? General Admission Adults HK 385, Children HK 193. The all day-and-night ticket gives access to the Halloween shows and attractions. You can buy a "Premium Ticket" that gives you priority access to some of the most popular regular and Halloween activities, Adults HK 730, Children HK 365

Remember you can buy discount tickets online at Klook.com:
Ocean Park Discount Tickets Adult HK385 HKD334 Children HK193 HKD169

More about Ocean Park's Halloween Fest.

Disneyland Hong Kong Haunted Halloween Celebrations

What?: Trick or Treating with Mickey and the gang, Halloween parade, haunted mansions, creepy surprises!

When?: Thursdays through Sundays from September 15 - October 31, 2016. Opening hours are extended to 11pm during this period.

Where?: Thoroughout the park

How Much? Included with park admission Adults HK539 Children (3-11) HK385.

Remember you can buy discount tickets online at Klook.com:
HK Disneyland Discount Tickets Adult HK539 HKD497 Children HK385 HKD360

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, 2016 dusk 'til...

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

How Much? Free

More Info.

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Ongoing Hong Kong Events for October, 2016

These are some popular ongoing events that are worth checking out, specially since they are FREE or offered for a low fee!

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

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" 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.

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The Symphony of Lights

The Symphony of Lights is Hong Kong's light and sound show, a tribute to the city and its people, their diversity, energy and vitality.

The stage is the entire city, which is what makes it so unique, you can watch the lights from just about anywhere in the waterfront.

This free show offered by the city, takes place every night at 8:00 pm and lasts aboout 15 minutes.

When?: Every Night

Where?: Can be seen from both sides of Victoria Harbour

How Much? Free

Click here for more on Hong Kong's Symphony of Lights and best spots to watch.

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Hong Kong Events