Front and center this June 2023 is the fantastic array of Dragon Boat action and the exciting races and parades at the Dragon Boat Festival held throughout the territory.
Here is a guide to the most popular spots to catch these colorful and electrifying events.
June is a hot and humid month in Hong Kong, make sure to have sun protection and stay hydrated.
We are also in the middle of our infamous typhoon season. Hong Kong deals with typhoons every year. If a warning is issued don't be alarmed, just aware, and take the precautions outlined here and stay safe.
Here's this month's line-up:
Highlight Celebrations and Events in June 2023
- Stanley Dragon Boat Warm-Up Races - June 3, 2023
- SummerFest Hong Kong - June 9 - July 23, 2023
- The Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival - June 22, 2023
- Water Parade in Tai O's Dragon Boat Festival - June 22, 2023
- Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races in Victoria Harbour - June 24 - 25, 2023
- Chinese Opera Festival - June 16 - October 8, 2023
- Water Play Street Summer Party at Hong Kong Disney - June through August 2023
And here's what's hot this summer with kids in Hong Kong
Ongoing Events This June 2023
- Free cultural exhibitions: Kung Fu, Tai Chi, Feng Shui
- The Symphony of Lights, Hong Kong's light and sound show
- It's race time! The Horse Races at Happy Valley are on!
Stanley Dragon Boat Warm-Up Races - June 3, 2023
The Dragon Boat Festival is fast approaching and the Stanley Dragon Boat Warm Up Races are the perfect prelude to the most anticipated Dragon Boat International Championships coming up next month on June 22, 2023.
This is a great chance to take a peek at what is to come. The Warm Up races differ a bit from the regular races, the course is shorter and the number of paddlers is limited to 18, but although on a smaller scale, it is still a very exciting fun-filled day of dragon boat racing with the same action-packed festival atmosphere and enthusiasm as the main event.
When?: June 3, 2023 - 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Where?: Stanley Main Beach. Click here for more on Stanley Market, Stanley Beach and how to get there
How Much? Free!
SummerFest Hong Kong - June 9 - July 23, 2023
After a three year hiatus, this beloved festival is finally back in the Central Harbourfront this summer! With fantastic exhibitions, activities, live performances and shows and parties, organisers have transformed the middle of the city into a 30,000 square metre playground for all to enjoy this summer.
What's in store? Exhibitions and activities include Ping Pong Fun, Hoops Wall, a Racing Track, iconic "One CityBus Exhibition", playgrounds, craft markets and fairs, game booths and even a sandy Beach!
Dance parties, yoga classes, Ukulele festivals, bike carnival, concerts and plenty of carnival food round up the entertainment.
When?: June 9 - July 23, 2023
Where?: Central Harbourfront Event Space
How Much?: FREE Admission
The Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival - June 22, 2023
The Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival , also known as the Tueng Ng Festival, is one of the favourite amongst the revelry of Chinese Festivals celebrated in the territory. Taking place on the 5th day of the 5th Lunar month, it is most well-known for its energetic and colorful dragon boat races.
On the day of the Festival, races are held by the several Dragon Boat Associations throughout the territory. All events are free to the public.
These are some of the most popular sites for dragon boat races in Hong Kong during the Dragon Boat Festival. Races are ongoing just about the entire day at most locations, for further details check out our main Dragon Boat Festival page.
- SunLife Stanley International Dragon Boat Championships are the "main" races known in the dragon boat circuit worldwide.
- Aberdeen Dragon Boat Festival Races
- Saikung Dragon Boat Festival Races
- Cheung Chau Dragon Boat Festival Races
- Tai O Water Parade and Dragon Boat Festival
- Discovery Bay Dragon Boat Races
Although there are plenty more locations to catch a race on this day, these are easy and of interest for visitors to get to and are also usually in most travellers' "must see attractions".
Water Parade in Tai O's Dragon Boat Festival - June 22, 2023
A procession of colorfully decorated sampans, temple deities and ceremonies enmeshed in hundred-year old traditions, a beautiful coastal town with its unique characterising houses on stilts, and to top it all off, exciting action-packed dragon boat racing at its best, that's what we have to look forward to at this fascinating festival, which is held on the day of the Dragon Boat Festival.
A visit to Tai O, is a must for all travellers, and on this day, the town comes alive and you get to glimpse another facet of this otherwise sleepy and tranquil town, don't miss it if you are around. Most of the festivities will be in the morning, so you still have time to make it to the main races at Stanley or the other sites throughout Hong Kong, which normally end in the afternoon, or pay a visit to the Big Buddha which is also in Lantau Island.
When?: June 22, 2023, 8:00 a.m. - approx. 2:00 p.m.
Where?: Tai O waterfront.
How Much?: FREE
The Dragon Boat Carnival and the Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races - June 24 - 25, 2023
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 and is finally back after a four year hiatus. We are looking forward to welcoming back all the International teams as well as local and company sponsored teams that will compete in this most prestigious of tournaments.
The Hong Kong Dragon Boat Carnival is a weekend event jam-packed with hot dragon boat action right on Victoria Harbour which has traditionally included live entertainment and a fabulous BeerFest.
When?: Saturday and Sunday June 24 - 25, 2023
Where?: Off Tsim Sha Tsui East Promenade
How Much?: FREE
Chinese Opera Festival
"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 thru October. Exact dates TBA 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 fabulous 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.
Water Play Street Summer Party at HK Disneyland
Every summer Hong Kong Disneyland creates a big splash of fun with a fun-filled water party as beloved Pixar Friends make a return appearance, including Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Jessie and more.
Mickey and friends will also take center stage and come together to deliver a special summer fun edition featuring special events with spectacular water features.
2024 programme is TBA. Stay tuned!
When? June through August 2024
Where? Throughout Hong Kong Disneyland
How Much? Disney Street Summer Party activities and shows are free with Park Admission.
Remember you can buy discount tickets online at Klook.com:
HK Disneyland Discount Tickets Adult HK639 HKD584, Children HK475 HKD428
More Info and Booking at Klook.com
Dining Offers at Hong Kong Disneyland
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
- More on Hong Kong's Symphony of Lights, best spots to watch.
- Symphony of Lights Harbour Cruise with Aqualuna (NOW SAILING! Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays)
The Horse Races Are On! This is how you can attend
The horse races in 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 two world-class venues, at the Sha Tin Racecourse and the iconic Happy Valley Racecourse.
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?: Happy Valley Night Races on Wednesday Nights. On race day, 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.
Sha Tin Day Races are on Sundays. First race normally starts at 1:00 pm, earlier if there are more than 10 races. Gates open at 11:00 am.
All races will be streamed live at the HK Jockey Club Racing Channel.
How Much? 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. You can join this guided experience and learn all about horse racing and betting, Enjoy the HKJC horse races from the 2M roof deck.
Hong Kong Events By Month
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