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 are hoping for a full programme of cultural performances and entertainment at the carnivals as well as the return of the fire dragon parades which went missing for a couple of years due to the pandemic.
When and Where are the Lantern Carnivals, Displays and Parades?
The 2023 Hong Kong Mid-Autumn Festival is on Friday September 29, 2023. 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 2023
- Mid-Autumun Urban Carnival and Lantern Exhibition at Victoria Park - September 23 - October 2, 2023
- Tsim Sha Tsui Lantern Installation at HK Cultural Center Piazza - September 15 - October 8, 2023
- The Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance Parade - September 28 - 30, 2023
- New Territories East Mid-Autumn Lantern Carnival - September 23 - October 2, 2023
- New Territories West Mid-Autumn Lantern Carnival - September 23 - October 2, 2023
- Sea of Lanterns at Lee Tung Avenue - TBA
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 and crafts and this year we are returning with a full programme.
This year's theme "Chinese Delights in Full Splendour" will showcase dazzling large-scale lanterns from Foshan, intangible cultural heritage performances including Cantonese Opera, the Fire Dragon Dances, delicate handicrafts and lantern riddles as well as a Traditional Craftsmanship of Lantern-Making Exhibition.
When?: September 23 - October 2, 2023 - light-up time from 6:30 pm to 11:00 pm Saturday thru Monday
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 2023 displays will be set up by the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza by the Clocktower as in prior years with the theme The Moon Machine, a high-tech interactive lighting installation, the colours of which change in response to the size of the crowd gathering in its vicinity!
When?: September 15 - October 8, 2023, 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
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 28 - 30, 2023 - approx. 8:15 pm - 10:30 pm
Where?: Tai Hang, Causeway Bay.
New Territories East Mid-Autumn Lantern Carnival
The theme for this year is "Happy Reunion by the Riverside". On these bright, moonlit nights, the Sha Tin Park becomes a festive playground with a wide array of lanterns taking the shapes of rabbit and other adorable animals. Also on offer are Chinese handicraft demonstrations, lantern riddles, as well as music and dance shows that are both traditional and innovative.
When?: September 23 - October 2, 2023 - light-up time from 6:30 pm to 11:00 pm Saturday thru Monday, Gala Night on Thursday September 28, 2023
Where?: Sha Tin Park
New Territories West Mid-Autumn Lantern Carnival
This year's theme is "Lotus Pond under the Full Moon". Members of the public are invited to visit the Tuen Mun Park and savour the views here around the lotus pond and the gurgling stream, appreciating lanterns featuring flowers in full bloom amid dancing butterflies. There are also traditional Chinese handicraft demonstrations and lantern riddles, as well as music and dance performances.
When?: September 23 - October 2, 2023 - light-up time from 6:30 pm to 11:00 pm Saturday thru Monday, Gala Night on Saturday September 30 , 2023
Where?: Tuen Mun Park
Sea of Lanterns at Lee Tung Avenue - TBA
Prior year: 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?: TBA
Where?: Lee Tung Avenue
TBA Many other events on the day of the Mid-Autumn Festival, last year:
- 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...
Hong Kong Events By Month
Most Popular Excursions in Hong Kong
Book with confidence! Free cancellation: Cancel up to 24 hours in advance to receive a full refund
Send a Tip!
Got something to share? Let us know!