Hong Kong Festivals and Events
August 2016

Chinese Hungry Ghost Festival Celebration in Peng Chau Island

Dragon Boat Races have come and gone, but we have yet one more colorful festival this August, Yue Lan, the Hungry Ghost Festival. Also this month a couple of entertaining exhibitions and fairs, the Hong Kong Food Expo, the Computer Festival and Ani-Com HK which wraps up the first week of August.

We are in the midst of the wettest and hottest time of the year, pack very light clothing, sandals, sun protection, and also a light jacket or sweater for the air-con at hotels, restaurants and shopping centres. An umbrella will also come in handy.

This is also the height 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 August:

• International Arts Carnival July 8 - August 7, 2016

• One Piece Carnival - July 8 - August 7, 2016

• Ani-Com And Games Fair 2016 - July 29 - August 2, 2016

• Lai Yuen Amusement Park Super Summer - July 25 - August 7, 2016

• Chinese Opera Festival June 17 - August 14, 2016

• Pulse: Hong Kong's 3D Light Show - Summer Fun - August 5 - 28, 2016

• Hong Kong Food Expo 2016 - August 11 - 15, 2016

• Hungry Ghost Festival - Yue Lan - August 17, 2016

• Hong Kong Computer & Communications Festival - August 19 - 22, 2016

• Slide The City Hong Kong - August 24 - 29, 2016

Also check-out these popular ongoing events during August 2016:

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

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

• Victoria Harbour Cruises

And here's what's hot this summer with kids in Hong Kong

International Arts Carnival - July 8 - August 7, 2016

A fascinating line up is put together every summer in all sorts of artistic fields: theatre, music, dance, film and magic! It's a great chance for family time, specially on those muggy hot days.

Besides stage programmes there are also outreach workshops, school touring programmes, backstage tours and more.

For More Info and this year's entire line up of the International Arts Carnival visit the official site here.

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Ani-Com and Games Hong Kong - July 29 - August 2, 2016

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 and the most popular summer carnival in Hong Kong.

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 29 - August 2, 2016, 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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Lai Yuen Amusement Park Super Summer
July 25 - August 7, 2016

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 last summer, the old rides and games and the legacy of the old park were revived and recreated in one of the most spectacular settings in the Harbourfront.

The bumper cars, games and stage theatre are back this year at AsiaWorld-Expo with many more attractions inspired by the original Lai Chi Kok

When?: July 25 - August 7, 2016

Where?: AsiaWorld Expo - Check the site for Free Airport Express Same Day Round Trip for Children Offer

How Much? Weekday General Ticket (4 - 64) + 10 tokens HK $140 Senior HK $70, more on weekends

More Info: Visit the official site www.laiyuen.hk.

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One Piece Carnival Hong Kong - July 8 - August 9, 2016

For the very first time in Hong Kong, iconic One Piece characters grace the waterfront at the Central Promenade and bring fantastic splashing fun and games with water slides, themed water gun wars, photo booths, and of course, no carnival would be complete without food and beverage galore and OnePiece souvenirs to take home. Check it out!

When?: July 8 - August 9, 2016

Where?: Central Harbourfront Event Space by the Observation Wheel

How Much?: Admission HK$50, free admission for kids 12 and under when accompanied by paying adult.
Activities are extra, Adult Day Pass HK400 weekday, HK500 weekend, Child (6-12) HK200 weekday, HK300 weekend. VIP passes also available.

More info: www.onepiececarnival.com (Site in Chinese)

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Chinese Opera Festival - June 17 - August 14, 2016

"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 17 - August 14, 2016

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.

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

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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?: August 5 - 28, 2016 - 8:20pm, 8:45pm, 9:15pm and 9:45pm nightly (about eight minutes per session)

Where?: Hong Kong Cultural Centre and Clock Tower

How Much?: FREE!

More info: Hong Kong Pulse.

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Hong Kong Food Expo - August 11 - 15, 2016

Hong Kong is the city of food, and this annual fair sponsored by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, is the leading food trade event gathering over 900 exhibitors with delicacies and the finest selection of foods from all over the world.

Another draw for visitors are the series of special events including cooking demonstrations by prominent chefs, forums on a variety of topics such as nutrition and food safety, and games and competitions throughout the five-day event.

When?: August 11 - 15, 2016 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., last day closes at 6:00 p.m. Public Hall and Gourmet Zones are open to visitors.
Where?: Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre
How Much?: Free for Trade visitors, admission ticket price to public HK40

Here is more on the Hong Kong Food Expo

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Chinese Hungry Ghost Festival Yue Lan - August 17, 2016

The seventh month of the Lunar calendar is considered the "Chinese Ghost Month". On this month, the spirits of the deceased are released and they come back to wander off in the living world.

It is said that some spirits may be restless and will have to be appeased, and thus, worshippers will burn paper money and make the usual offerings to make sure they are back in the good graces of their ancestors and any other wandering ghost that may happen to "drop by".

The Hungry Ghost Festival marks the middle of the Ghost Month, and offerings and activities will be held particularly on this day.

Activities other than the usual offerings of incense, Chinese paper money and food, include Chinese Opera and the dragon and lion dances with plenty of noise to scare away the evil ghosts, and are held in parks and plazas throughout the territory.

When?: August 17, 2016
Where?: Various locations throughout Hong Kong

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The Hong Kong Computer & Communications Festival
August 19 - 22, 2016

Organised by the Chamber of Hong Kong Computer Industry (CHKCI), the Hong Kong Computer & Communications Festival is the largest exhibition for the I.T. industry in Hong Kong.

And if you're wondering, yes, this is open to the public with items for sale to everyone. This is a very popular festival, everyone interested in computers, gadgets, and anything digital will want to take a look and take a advantage of the many deals offered by the suppliers.

When?: Friday to Monday August 19 - 22, 2016

Where?: Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre Hall 1

How Much?: HK30

More on the Computer Festival

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Slide the City Hong Kong - August 24 - 29, 2016

Slide the City is back in Hong Kong this summer! The one-of-a-kind 300 meter long water slide will be set up in the waterfront at the Central Waterfront Promenade and will be welcoming all to this massive water party including live music, food and drinks, all manner of spraying, squirting, sliding and splashing fun.

When?: August 24 - 29, 2016

Where?: Central Harbourfront Event Space by the Observation Wheel

How Much? Different packages available from HK180 - HK 580 The price range depends on day and time of sliding session, early morning weekday sessions are cheapest, evening weekend sessions more expensive
This event is likely to be a sell-out, again... you need to secure your tickets by pre-registering as soon as possible.

Requirements: All participants must be at least 117cm tall.

More Info: Visit the official site www.slidethecity.hk.

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Ongoing Hong Kong Events for August 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:

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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