August 2018 Hong Kong Festivals and Events

Hot days ahead! Get out to the islands and beaches! This August 2018, the International Arts Carnival is underway featuring a wide array of stage performances, films, museum and library programmes as well as workshops that will keep kids entertained through the summer holiday months.

Also back in August are some entertaining exhibitions and fairs: the Hong Kong Food Expo and the Computer Festival.

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:

• Birthday of Kwan Tai - August 5, 2018
• Bob Dylan Never Ending Tour 2018 - August 4, 2018
• International Arts Carnival - July 6 - August 12, 2018
• Chinese Opera Festival - June 14 - August 12, 2018
• Ocean Park Summer "Carnimal" - June 30 - September 2, 2018
• Water Play Street Summer Party at Hong Kong Disney, a Pixar Extravaganza - June 21 - September 2, 2018
• Hong Kong Food Expo 2018 - August 16 - 20, 2018
• Hong Kong Computer & Communications Festival - August 24 - 27, 2018
• E-Sports and Music Festival - August 24 - 26, 2018
• Hungry Ghost Festival - Yue Lan - August 25, 2018

Also check-out these popular ongoing events during August 2018:

• Free cultural exhibitions: Kung Fu, Tai Chi, Feng Shui
• The Symphony of Lights, Hong Kong's light and sound show

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

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Birthday of Kwan Tai - August 5, 2018

Kwan Tai was the God of War and highly regarded among the police and military circles. His Birthday is celebrated on the 24th day of the 6th Lunar month, which this year falls on August 5, 2018 in the Western calendar.

One of the best and more convenient places to join in the celebrations is at the Man Mo Temple a stone-throw away from Central, which is also dedicated to this God and where an old statue of Kwan Tai from the 19th Century is revered.

When?: Monday, July 17, 2017
Where?: Man Mo Temple
How Much?: Free

Bob Dylan Never Ending Tour 2018 - August 4, 2018

The iconic singer-songwriter will take to the stage this summer at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre with his live band after seven years after his last appearance in the city.

Dylan has had a career that spans almost six decades. His music has traversed folk, rock, blues and country, and he has sold more than 125 million albums. Among his greatest hits are The Times They Are A-Changin’', Just Like a Woman, All Along the Watchtower, I Shall Be Released and Mr Tambourine Man.

When?: Saturday, August 4, 2018 - 8:30 pm
Where?: Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre 5BC
How Much?:

International Arts Carnival

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.

August 2018 highlights

Fun Ride with Big Beard - Dancing Poems with the Hong Kong Dance Company - August 3 - 5, 2018
The Book of Magic with Class 7A Drama Group - August 3 - 5, 2018
B Free with CCDC Dance Centre & Dance Theatre Auraco of Finland - August 8 - 12, 2018
BAUHAUS Magic Flute Playground - August 10 - 12, 2018
Mulan with the Shanghai Puppet Theatre - August 10 - 12, 2018
Carrousel des Moutons with d’irque & fien of Belgium - August 10 - 12, 2018

Chinese Opera Festival - June 16 - October 8, 2023

"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 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 16 - October 8, 2023. You can also check out these 7 places to discover Cantonese Opera in Hong Kong
Where?: Stage performances are held at a variety of venues, including the newly opened Grand Theatre at Xiqu Centre, in the West Kowloon Cultural District, in itself worth a visit. Also very convenient for visitors are the Grand Theatre at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre at the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade as well as the Hong Kong City Hall in Central.
How Much? Ticket prices vary depending on event.

• Tickets for a stage performance at the Xiqu Center for example range from HK180 - HK480, at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre from HK 100 - HK 350.
• Discounts are available to students and seniors.

Ocean Park Summer Programme TBA

2023 Summer Splash activities are TBA. Last year's Summer Adventure included a series of exciting activities with varying levels of challenges, suitable for children of all age groups. By immersing themselves in nature and making up-close observation, children will get to know the habitats, behaviours, and body features of various animals.

The Adventures included a variety of activities, children can take on challenges through teamwork, including treasure hunting and group games, to sharpen their senses, and train their scientific thinking skills. Explorers can also get imaginative and expand their endless creativity by creating different artwork, including designing a home and "toys" for animals.

When?: 2023 TBA
Where?: Ocean Park Hong Kong
How Much? There is a programme fee and enrolment is mandatory

Remember you can buy discount tickets online at Klook.com:
Ocean Park Discount Tickets Adult HK528 HKD360 US$46, Children HK279 HKD216 US$28, further discounts for weekday tickets
Autumn Package HK320 US$40 adults, HK190 $24 child, and Halloween Combo Tickets also available.
Limited Early Bird Offer for Water World Ocean Park HK Ticket

More Info and Booking at Klook.com

Water Play Street Summer Party a Water Extravaganza!

Every summer Hong Kong Disneyland creates a big splash of fun with a fun-filled water party. Themes have varied throughout the years, the 2023 summer edition programme is TBA.

Coming this summer is the highly anticipated Frozen-themed land, "World of Frozen" which is expected to open in the second half of 2023.

And also in 2023, the Walt Disney Company marks its 100th Anniversary! We can expect a series of exciting events including character appearances in their celebratory outfits, festive merchandise, foods and souvenirs.

When? June through August 2023
Where? Throughout Main Street USA at Hong Kong Disneyland
How Much? Disney Street Summer Party activities are free with Park Admission.

Remember you can buy discount tickets online at Klook.com:
HK Disneyland Discount Tickets Adult HK639 HKD570 US$73, Children HK475 HKD435 US$56
More Info and Booking at Klook.com

Hong Kong Food Expo - August 16 - 20, 2018

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 16 - 20, 2018 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

The Hong Kong Computer & Communications Festival
August 24 - 27, 2018

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. And for gaming fans, taking place concurrently and also at the Convention Center is the E-Sport & Music Festival, see below.

When?: Friday to Monday August 24 - 27, 2018
Where?: Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre Hall 1
How Much?: HK30

E-Sport & Music Festival
August 24 - 26, 2018

Gaming fans, this is the not to be missed event for the summer. For starters, the "Experience Zone" offers a first-hand experience of the latest games and products for e-sports fans, with highlights including the hottest e-games, VR games, gaming accessories, state-of-the-art e-sports gear, KOL competitions, casual tournaments with the latest and the classics, cosplayer events, and photo sessions with e-sports pro-players.

Then there's the tournaments. This year featuring

• Return of the Legends - An invitational League of Legends tournament
• Hong Kong PUBG World Invitational
• ZOTAC Cup Masters

When?: Friday to Sunday August 24 - 26, 2018 - 10:00 am to 10:00 pm
Where?: Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre Hall 3
How Much?: HK10 for the Experience Zone, tickets required for the tournaments HK$50 - HK$250

Chinese Hungry Ghost Festival Yue Lan
August 25, 2018

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 25, 2018
Where?: Various locations throughout Hong Kong

Ongoing Hong Kong Events

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 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 about 12 minutes.

When?: Every Night
Where?: Can be seen from both sides of Victoria Harbour, specially stunning aboard a Harbour Cruise.
How Much? Free

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