The Mid-Autumn Festival and Lantern Carnivals in Hong Kong take place in many parts of the territory and run for a few days before and after the festival proper which is celebrated on the 8th Full Moon in the Lunar Calendar, usually around September/October in the Western calendar.
Together with the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance celebrations, they are the centerpieces of the festivities of the Mid-Autumn festival or Moon festival as it is also known.
On this full moon day, families and communities traditionally gathered to celebrate the bountiful harvesting season, somewhat of the equivalent to the American Thanksgiving Day. Nowadays, families and friends typically take part in the many lantern carnivals and celebrations around the city. There is a full programme of cultural performances and entertainment at the carnivals as well as the stunning fire dragon parades.
When and Where are the Lantern Carnivals, Displays and Parades?
The Hong Kong Mid-Autumn Festival falls in either September or October. Lantern Displays start a few weeks prior.
These are some of the main Lantern and Mid-Autumn celebrations in Hong Kong which are easy to get to and are very accesible for visitors.
Mid-Autumn Lantern Displays, Carnivals, Parades and Events
- Mid-Autumun Urban Carnival and Lantern Exhibition at Victoria Park
- Tsim Sha Tsui Lantern Installation at HK Cultural Center Piazza
- The Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance Parade
- New Territories Mid-Autumn Lantern Carnival
- Moon Fest Lumiere at Lee Tung Avenue
All programs are free unless otherwise indicated, public is free to roam around the beautiful lantern displays.
Urban Mid-Autumn Carnival at Victoria Park
This is the all-in-one mega event that offers magnificent lantern displays and a full cultural programme including a Fire Dragon Dance, kung fu demonstrations, folk songs, crafts and much more.
When?:
Lantern Displays: week of the Festival, light-up time from 6:30 pm to 11:00 pm
Carnival and Gala Night: on the day of the Mid-Autumn Festival - 8:00 pm
Youth Night: One night before or after - 7:30 pm
Where?: Victoria Park at Soccer Pitches 1 - 6
Tsim Sha Tsui Lantern Installation
In the same way as the Spring Lantern Festival, the LCSD sets up an amazing Lantern Exhibition in Tsim Sha Tsui near the Waterfront Promenade.
This one 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 and you can enjoy the beautiful displays as you stroll around the Clocktower and the Promenade, and maybe take in the Symphony of Lights show which is featured every night.
When?: A couple of weeks before and after the Festival, light-up time Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 6:30 pm to 11:00 pm
Where?: Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza, in front of the clocktower
Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance Parades
The Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance Parade is another example of Hong Kong's traditional culture and a main part of the celebrations of the Mid-Autumn Festival.
This is a fantastic tradition and one you should not miss. You can take part and experience as the 67-metre Fire Dragon winds through the streets of Tai Hang, like it did over a century ago... It's an amazing sight with over 300 performers, 70,000 incense sticks, and lots and lots of firecrackers!
When?: On the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival and the night before and after - approx. 8:15 pm - 10:30 pm
Where?: Tai Hang, Causeway Bay.
New Territories Mid-Autumn Lantern Carnival
On these bright, moonlit nights, Tsing Yi Park becomes a festive playground with a wide array of lanterns taking numerous shapes. Also on offer are Chinese handicraft demonstrations, lantern riddles, as well as music and dance shows that are both traditional and innovative.
When?: During the Mid-Autumn Festival season
Where?: New Territories
Moon Fest Lumiere at Lee Tung Avenue
Over 800 traditional Chinese lanterns, in a bright colour scheme will be hanging above Lee Tung Avenue to create a magnificent scene this Mid-Autumn Festival and on the Festival proper, the return of the popular LED Fire Dragon Parade!
When?: September / October
Where?: Lee Tung Avenue
For the best place to get your lanterns head to Yuen Long!:
And don't forget the Mooncakes!!!
And check out our Pinterest Board for everything Mid-Autumn Festival: the Lanterns, Carnivals, Moon Cakes, Fire Dragons...
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