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 we have a full programme of cultural performances and entertainment at the carnivals as well as the stunning fire dragon parades.
When and Where are the Lantern Carnivals, Displays and Parades?
The 2024 Hong Kong Mid-Autumn Festival is on Friday September 17, 2024. 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.
Mid-Autumn Lantern Displays, Carnivals, Parades and Events 2024
- Mid-Autumun Urban Carnival and Lantern Exhibition at Victoria Park - September 9 - 18, 2024, main Carnival on September 17, 2024
- Tsim Sha Tsui Lantern Installation at HK Cultural Center Piazza - September 6 - October 6, 2024
- The Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance Parade - September 16 - 18, 2024
- New Territories Mid-Autumn Lantern Carnival - September 12 - 18, 2024
- Moon Fest Lumiere at Lee Tung Avenue - TBC
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 offers magnificent lantern displays and a full cultural programme including a Fire Dragon Dance, kung fu demonstrations, folk songs, crafts and much more.
When?:
Lantern Displays: September 12 - 18, 2024 - light-up time from 6:30 pm to 11:00 pm extended to midnight on September 17
Carnival and Gala Night: September 17, 2024 - 8:00 pm
Youth Night: September 18, 2024 - 7:30 pm
Where?: Victoria Park at Soccer Pitches 1 - 6
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 2024 displays will be set up by the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza by the Clocktower as in prior years with the theme TBA.
When?: September 6 - October 6, 2024, light-up time Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 6:30 pm to 11:00 pm extended to midnight on September 17
Where?: Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza, in front of the clocktower
Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance Parades
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 16 - 18, 2024 - approx. 8:15 pm - 10:30 pm
Where?: Tai Hang, Causeway Bay.
New Territories Mid-Autumn Lantern Carnival
On these bright, moonlit nights, Tsing Yi Park becomes a festive playground with a wide array of lanterns taking numerous shapes. Also on offer are Chinese handicraft demonstrations, lantern riddles, as well as music and dance shows that are both traditional and innovative.
When?: September 12 - 18, 2024 - light-up time from 6:30 pm to 11:00 pm extended to midnight on September 17
Where?: Tsing Yi Park
Moon Fest Lumiere at Lee Tung Avenue - TBA
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 and on the Festival proper, the return of the popular LED Fire Dragon Parade!
When?: TBA
Where?: Lee Tung Avenue
For the best place to get your lanterns head to Yuen Long!:
And don't forget the Mooncakes!!!
And check out our Pinterest Board for everything Mid-Autumn Festival: the Lanterns, Carnivals, Moon Cakes, Fire Dragons...
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