Hong Kong Festivals and Events
July 2015

A Gorgeous Summer Night in Hong Kong

A wealth of exciting Hong Kong events await in July 2015 to quench the heat of the summer months.

Temperatures are picking up, yes, we're approaching the wettest hottest weeks of the year... so don't forget to pack very light, cotton, breathable clothing, sandals, hat, etc. and also a light sweater for the air-conditioning which will be running full blast at shopping centres, restaurants and hotel lobbys.

Traveling with the kids? Amusement parks are fun rain or shine, you are even expected to get wet at some rides. On the other hand, if it is raining too hard, some of the rides might be closed.

We are also in the middle of Typhoon season... watch out for any alerts. Here's what you need to know about typhoons in Hong Kong.

So let's get on with the fun part, here's what's going on in Hong Kong this July:

• July 1, 2015 marks the 18th Anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong SAR, a public holiday.

• Dragon Boat Carnival and the Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races - July 3-5, 2015

• Pulse: Hong Kong's 3D Light Show - Summer Fun - July 17 - August 2, 2015

• Lai Yuen Amusement Park Super Summer - June 26 - early September 2015

• In the Cultural front, the Chinese Opera Festival is underway.

• And there is an array of interesting and entertaining exhibitions and fairs:
  • HKTDC Hong Kong Book Fair 2015 - July 15-21, 2015

  • Ani-Com And Games Fair 2015 - July 24-28, 2015

Also check-out these popular ongoing events during July 2015:

• Free cultural exhibitions: Kung Fu, Tai Chi, Feng Shui

• The Symphony of Lights, Hong Kong's light and sound show

• Victoria Harbour Cruises

• Last Chance for the Horse Races at Happy Valley!, racing season will be ending this month!

18th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Hong Kong SAR - July 1, 2015

This is a public holiday and the scope and extent of the celebrations have varied over the years including parades, flag-raising ceremonies, cultural performances, and as in the case to commemorate the 15th Anniversary, a spectacular fireworks extravaganza.

This year, rather than one big event, the celebrations will be taking place throughout the territory's 18 districts. Events to celebrate the Establishment of the HK SAR will be spreadout throughout the summer with many highlight events taking place on July 1st.

The theme for the 18th Anniversary of Establishment of the HK SAR is "Vitality.Love@HKSAR" and events are being organised by many community organisations.

There will be dozens of events, ranging from sketching and painting activities, football matches, dancing competitions, cultural nights, dragon and lion parades, marching bands, tai chi and martial arts, carnivals and fairs.

The main events commemorating the 18th Anniversary this year include:

• The Flag Raising Ceremony
• Carnival celebrations at the various districts

Here's more on this year's festivities.

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The Dragon Boat Carnival and the Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races - July 3-5, 2015

Sponsored by the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Association, this event along with the Stanley Dragon Boat Championships, is one of the top events in the dragon boat-racing calendar. International teams as well as local and company sponsored teams compete in one of the most prestigious of tournaments.

The Hong Kong Dragon Boat Carnival is a three-day event jam-packed with hot dragon boat action right on Victoria Harbour, plus live entertainment and a fabulous BeerFest.

When?: July 3 - 5, 2015
Where?: Victoria Harbour, Tsim Sha Tsui East Promenade.

More on the Dragon Boat Carnival.

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Pulse: Hong Kong's 3D Light Show

Hong Kong Pulse is the city's newest light show, a great FREE show with spectacular 3D audiovisual effects in the Kowloon harbourfront at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre and the TST Clock Tower, just a short walk from the Tsim Sha Tsui Star Ferry station and the Avenue of the Stars.

This month, the show runs through the Summer Fun season and the theme is of course refreshing and invigorating. There are four nightly sessions, each 8 minutes long.

When?: July 17 - August 2, 2015 - 8:30pm, 9:00pm, 9:30pm and 10:00pm nightly

Where?: Hong Kong Cultural Centre and Clock Tower

How Much?: FREE!

More info: Hong Kong Pulse.

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Lai Yuen Amusement Park Super Summer
June 26 - early September 2015

Lai Chi Kok Amusement Park, the beloved iconic park that opened in 1949, was once the city's largest amusement park.

It closed in 1997 to give way to modernisation, but this summer, the old rides and games and the legacy of the old park are being revived and recreated in one of the most spectacular settings in the Harbourfront.

The carrousels, bumper cars and stage theatre are back along with many attractions inspired by the original Lai Chi Kok.

When?: June 26 to Early September 2015

Where?: Central Harbourfront Event Space near the Hong Kong Observation Wheel

How Much? General Admission is FREE, tokens are needed for the rides, each token is HK$10

More Info: Visit the official site www.laiyuen1949.com.

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Chinese Opera Festival - June 19 - August 2, 2015

"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 19 - August 2, 2015

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.

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HKTDC Hong Kong Book Fair 2015 - July 15-21, 2015

Organised by the HK Trade Development Council, it's not only books, books and more books on this week-long affair, lately the emphasis has also been on multimedia, e-books and e-learning resources.

Besides the publishers' exhibits, there is a range of cultural events including seminars and forums featuring English-language world-renowned writers.

If you are a book worm, don't miss this chance to snatch some bargains (specially on the very last day of the fair)!

When?: July 15-21, 2015, 10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m., extended hours on weekends, last day 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Where?: Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre

How Much?: Visitors HK10, bring your passport to the "Tourist Counter" and enter through Bauhinia Square entrance.

More info on this year's Hong Kong Book Fair

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Ani-Com and Games Hong Kong - July 24-28, 2015

If you have teenagers you will not want to miss this one! Ani-Com and Games is Hong Kong's hottest event in the digital entertainment, comics, animation, video games and toys and collectibles arena.

Packed with the latest in big wave trend-setting entertainment, this is one of the most prominent shows in Asia.
Don't miss the many events including stage forums and presentations, model kit competitions, comic Master's autograph sessions, etc.

When?: July 24-28, 2015, 10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m., closes 8:00 p.m. last day

Where?: Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre

More on this year's Ani-Com and Games Hong Kong

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Ongoing Hong Kong Events for July 2015

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

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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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The Happy Valley Horse Races Season is Coming to a Close!
Last meeting July 8, 2015

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.

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

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Hong Kong Events