Hong Kong Festivals and Events
June 2012

These are our top picks for Hong Kong Festivals and Events for June 2012.

The Dragon Boat Festival is upon us and as usual, dragon boat races will be held throughout the territory. Here is a guide to the most popular spots to catch this colorful and exciting event.

In the Cultural front, the Chinese Opera Festival is kicking off this month and will run through August 2012.

Also check these Ongoing Hong Kong Culture Events during the month of June 2012 offering an array of FREE programmes ranging from tai chi classes, lion dance demonstrations, etc.

The Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival - June 23, 2012

The Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival , also known as the Tueng Ng Festival, is one of the favourite amongst the revelry of Chinese Festivals celebrated in the territory. Taking place on the 5th day of the 5th Lunar month, it is most well-known for its energetic and colorful dragon boat races.

On the day of the Festival, races are held by the several Dragon Boat Associations throughout the territory. All events are free to the public.

These are some of the most popular sites for dragon boat races in Hong Kong during the Dragon Boat Festival. Races are ongoing just about the entire day at most locations, for further details check out our main Dragon Boat Festival page.

SunLife Stanley International Dragon Boat Championships are the "main" races known in the dragon boat circuit worldwide.
Aberdeen Dragon Boat Festival Races
Saikung Dragon Boat Festival Races
Cheung Chau Dragon Boat Festival Races
Tai O Water Parade and Dragon Boat Festival

Although there are plenty more locations to catch a race on this day, these are easy and of interest for visitors to get to and are also usually in most travellers' "must see attractions".

What if you won't be here during Dragon Boat Festival? It doesn't mean you get to miss on all the excitement! Dragon Boat Racing has developed into quite a sport in Hong Kong. Races are conducted throughout the summer months and as late as October, including the high profile Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races in Victoria Harbour in July.

Here's more on When and Where to See Dragon Boat Races.

Lyuba: The World's Best Preserved Baby Woolly Mammoth - May 14 - June 10, 2012

Lyuba, the world's best preserved 42,000-year-old baby woolly mammoth which was on display at the IFC Mall in Hong Kong earlier this year has moved to the Hong Kong Science Museum.

This priceless Ice Age relic, discovered in 2007 in present day Siberia, is estimated to have lived a mere 32 days. The body is almost 100% intact and is on display now on loan from Russia's Shemanovsky Museum.

When?: May 14 - June 10, 2012

Where?: Hong Kong Science Museum Lobby

How Much? Free! Exhibition is at the Lobby, there is no admission fee to see the Baby Mammoth but fee for Museum applies.

Water Parade in Tai O's Dragon Boat Festival - June 23, 2012

Hong Kong Water Parade Dragon Boat Festival

A procession of colorfully decorated sampans, temple deities and ceremonies enmeshed in hundred-year old traditions, a beautiful coastal town with its unique characterising houses on stilts, and to top it all off, exciting action-packed dragon boat racing at its best, that's what we have to look forward to at this fascinating festival, which is held on the day of the Dragon Boat Festival.

A visit to Tai O, is a must for all travellers, and on this day, the town comes alive and you get to glimpse another facet of this otherwise sleepy and tranquil town, don't miss it if you are around. Most of the festivities will be in the morning, so you still have time to make it to the main races at Stanley or the other sites throughout Hong Kong, which normally end in the afternoon.
When?: June 23, 2012, 8:00 a.m. - approx. 2:00 p.m.
Where?: Tai O waterfront.
Here's more on the Tai O Water Parade.

PICASSO - Special Exhibition from Musée National Picasso, Paris - May 19 - July 22, 2012

This exhibition brought to you by the Consulate General of France in Hong Kong and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, showcases over 50 of Pablo Picasso's original works from the Musée National Picasso in Paris.

Works representing every phase of Picasso's extensive career from his Blue, Rose, Cubist and Expressionist periods, selected from the Museum's permanent collection, make this exhibition a first of its kind in Hong Kong and really worth a look for art enthusiasts.

Viewing sessions and tickets are in VERY limited supply, so plan ahead of time if you really want to see this!

When?: May 19 - July 22, 2012.

Where?: Hong Kong Heritage Museum

How Much? HK 20 but limited tickets for viewing sessions available.

Last phase of ticketing on June 15, 2012 Check out the official site below for Ticket Sales latest status and availability.

More Info: Picasso Special Exhibition at Hong Kong Heritage Museum

Chinese Opera Festival - June 15-August 5, 2012

"Chinese Opera encapsulates the long history and traditional culture of China. The immaculately crafted movements of the hands, the eyes, the body and the feet of the actors are unique to a whole system of Chinese performing arts."

This art form has been around for centuries and to foster a better understanding of this ancient art, the Hong Kong Leisure and Cultural Services Department brings the annual Chinese Opera Festival to the community.
If you have never experienced this unique kind of traditional art, this is your chance! The festival will offer daily stage performances by some of the leading Companies in the genre. Besides the stage performances, the festival also puts together an array of events from symposiums, Chinese Opera film screenings and exhibitions.

When?: June 15 - August 5, 2012

Where?: Stage Performances at various venues including a couple of locations very convenient to visitors:

The Grand Theatre at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre at the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade
The Hong Kong City Hall in Central
The Hong Kong Space Museum

How Much? Ticket prices vary depending on event.

Tickets for a stage performance at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre for example range from HK 100- HK 350.
Tickets for a Chinese Opera Film Show at the Hong Kong Space Museum are HK 30.
Discounts are available to students and seniors.
Tickets can be purchased online at the Urbtix site.

More Info: Visit the official site of the Chinese Opera Festival.