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. This year's celebrations may be a little different depending on the pandemic measures in effect at the time, we are hoping for a full programme as in years past! Regardless, there are still many ways to enjoy this long weekend and take advantage of the many Staycation offers in the city to spend some quality time with your loved ones!
When and Where are the Lantern Carnivals, Displays and Parades?
The 2022 Hong Kong Mid-Autumn Festival is on Saturday September 10, 2022. Lantern Displays start in early September.
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.
UPDATE: For all LCSD events, this year due to Coronavirus measures no live performances and fringe activities will be arranged at any of the locations. Lighting-up time will be extended to midnight on September 10, 2022
Mid-Autumn Lantern Displays, Carnivals, Parades and Events 2022
- Mid-Autumun Urban Carnival and Lantern Exhibition at Victoria Park - September 7 - 12, 2022
- Tsim Sha Tsui Lantern Installation at HK Cultural Center Piazza - September 7 - 25, 2022
- The Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance Parade - September 9 - 11, 2022 - CANCELLED
- Special installation "Moon Story" at Victoria Park - September 7 - 25, 2022
- New Territories East Mid-Autumn Lantern Carniva at Tai Po Waterfront Park - September 7 - 12, 2022
- New Territories West Mid-Autumn Lantern Carnival at Tung Chung Man Tung Road Park - September 7 - 12, 2022
- Sea of Lanterns at Lee Tung Avenue - September 2 - October 3, 2022
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 under normal circumstances offers magnificent lantern displays and a full cultural programme including a Fire Dragon Dance, kung fu demonstrations, folk songs and crafts. This year, due to Coronavirus restrictions, all live events as well as the Fire Dragon Parades have been cancelled. The fantastic lantern displays though are going ahead and as always, will enchant visitors with their fabulous craftmanship. There will also be lanterns made by primary and secondary school students on display.
When?: September 7 - 12, 2022, light-up time from 6:30 pm to 11:00 pm
Where?: Victoria Park at Soccer Pitches 1 - 5, entrances at Sugar Street and Hing Fat Street
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.
The 2022 displays will be set up by the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza by the Clocktower as in prior years. This year's theme is Hugs without Distance with the message that regardless if today we are not living in the same place and maybe it is difficult to meet, we still share the same beautiful moon and distance cannot separate us.
When?: September 2 - 25, 2022, light-up time from 6:30 pm to 11:00 pm Fridays thru Sundays
Where?: Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza, in front of the clocktower
Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance Parades - CANCELLED
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?: September 9 - 11, 2022 CANCELLED - approx. 8:15 pm - 10:30 pm
Where?: Tai Hang, Causeway Bay.
Special installation "Moon Story" at Victoria Park
Illuminated Lantern Installation Moon Story is a drawing, an installation, a theatrical space telling the ancient story of the moon festival. The Story consists of three spherical lanterns weaved together with the iconic character of the hopping rabbit, and the full moon rising above the hilltop.
When?: September 7 - 25, 2022, Wednesdays thru Sundays, light-up time from 6:30 pm to 11:00 pm
Where?: Victoria Park at Soccer Pitch 6
New Territories East Mid-Autumn Lantern Carnival
Themed around "Round" and "Union", this display event showcases large-scale revolving lanterns, works in the shape of "Enggie Pup" & "Artti Kitty", two celebrated mascots of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, and many more at scenic spots such as the Spiral Lookout Tower.
When?: September 7 to 12, 2022, Wednesdays thru Mondays, light-up time from 6:30 pm to 11:00 pm
Where?: Tai Po Waterfront Park
New Territories West Mid-Autumn Lantern Carnival
With "Floral Wishes in Cheery Pitches" as its theme, this display event offers visitors moments of bliss through vast swaths of flowers and colourful lantern decorations. Together, the five groups of lanterns add a poetic dimension to this festive season. Of particular note is the baby panda collection which promises to amaze!
When?: September 7 to 12, 2022, Wednesdays thru Mondays, light-up time from 6:30 pm to 11:00 pm
Where?: Tung Chung Man Tung Road Park
Sea of Lanterns 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.
When?: September 2 - October 3, 2022 light-up time at 5:00 pm
Where?: Lee Tung Avenue
Many other events on the day of the Mid-Autumn Festival, September 10, 2022:
- Free mini lanterns for children, first-come first-served until supplies last
- Mid-Autumn Festival Concert by the Baron School of Music from 1:00 to 3:00 pm at the Central Piazza
- The Hong Kong Jockey Club "Share The Joy" Community Concert from 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm at the Central Piazza
For the best place to get your lanterns head to Yuen Long!:
And don't forget the Mooncakes!!!
Hong Kong Attractions, Tours, Activities that are open during the Mid-Autumn Festival
- The Peak Tram, Peak Tower, Sky Terrace
- Ocean Park - Get discount tickets
- Water World Ocean Park - Get discount tickets
- Hong Kong Disneyland - Get discount tickets
- Big Bus Hop On Hop Off Bus Tours are running daily
- Sky100 Observation Deck - Special Offers
- Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car - Book Standard or Crystal Cabin
- Harbour Cruises have restarted, the following have resumed sailings:
- Fantastic outdoor excursions: hiking, kayaking, swimming, mountain biking, paddleboarding...
- Lion Rock Sunset Hiking Adventure - Victoria Harbour's most dramatic summit - 4 hours, starts from Wong Tai Sin MTR station
- Geopark Kayaking Adventure - 7 hours, meets at Hang Hau MTR Station
- The Mai Po Nature Reserve is OPEN, the WWF offers eco-visits Thrusdays through Sundays, which is the easiest way to visit the reserve without having to get a government permit. You can book an eco-visit here
- Hong Kong Wetland park - is open daily, the Mudflat Hide has also reopened
- Sai Kung Standup-Paddle Adventure - 5 hours, meets at Hang Hau MTR station
- Hike the Yellow Dragon Gorge Nature Trek in Lantau Island - 5 hours, meets at Tung Chung MTR station on Lantau Island
- Plover Cove Bicycling and Hiking Adventure - 4 hours, meets at Tai Po Market MTR station
- Tai Mo Shan Waterfall Hike the tallest waterfall in Hong Kong - 4 hours, meets at Tai Wo MTR station
- The Dragon's Back Hike and Tai Long Wan Beach - 5 hours, meets at Shau Kei Wan MTR station
- Ma On Shan Climbing Adventure - 6 hours, starts at Heng On MTR ends in Saikung town
- Tolo Harbour Cycling Adventure - 4 hours, meets at Tai Po Market MTR Station
And check out our Pinterest Board for everything Mid-Autumn Festival: the Lanterns, Carnivals, Moon Cakes, Fire Dragons...
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