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.
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: 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-Autumun Urban Carnival and Lantern Exhibition at Victoria Park This is the all-in-one event that offers the lantern displays and a full cultural programme including a Fire Dragon Dance, kung fu demonstrations, folk songs and crafts.
Main Carnival - September 10, 2022, Fire Dragon dances have been cancelled, no live performances planned
Youth Night: N/A
Lantern Displays at Soccer Pitches 1 - 5 from September 7 - 12, 2022, light-up time from 6:30 pm to 11:00 pm, entrances at Sugar Street and Hing Fat Street
Special installation "Moon Story" at Soccer Pitch 6 from September 7 - 25, 2022, Wednesdays thru Sundays, light-up time from 6:30 pm to 11:00 pm - Tsim Sha Tsui Lantern Installation - set up at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza, just steps from the Waterfront. Light-up time from 6:30pm - 11pm Fridays thru Sundays, these are the longest running and will run until September 25, 2022
- The Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance Parade Not a typical Dragon Parade and unique to Hong Kong. The 67-metre Fire Dragon will wind through the streets of Tai Hang, like it did over a century ago with over 300 performers, 70,000 incense sticks, and lots of firecrackers -
September 9 - 11, 2022Cancelled - New Territories East Mid-Autumn Lantern Carnival at Tai Po Waterfront Park from September 7 to 12, 2022, Wednesdays thru Mondays, light-up time from 6:30 pm to 11:00 pm
- New Territories West Mid-Autumn Lantern Carnival at Tung Chung Man Tung Road Park from September 7 to 12, 2022, Wednesdays thru Mondays, light-up time from 6:30 pm to 11:00 pm
All programs are free, 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, a full cultural programme, and a Fire Dragon Dance Parade.
The cultural program which varies from year to year includes kung fu demonstrations, folk songs and dance shows, acrobatics, and a variety of entertainment.
In addition there are many exhibitions and workshops such as traditional hand-made lantern exhibitions, demonstrations of Chinese folk arts and crafts including paper-cutting, clay figurines, woodblock printing, etc.
The Fire Dragon Dance is a main part of the Mid-Autumn celebrations.
The original parade takes place in Tai Hang for three days, but visitors of Victoria Park will also have a chance to see it here on the day of the Mid-Autumn Festival proper. The Fire Dragon is expected to arrive at Victoria Park between 10:45 pm and 11:30 pm on September 10, 2022
The parade features a 67-metre long dragon with thousands of burning incense sticks and over 300 performers which will circle around the throngs of visitors at Victoria Park.
If you miss the Fire Dragon at Victoria Park, catch it in Tai Hang on September 9 or 11. Here's more on the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance Parade.
Victoria Park Lantern Displays
Bright and colorful lantern displays turn Victoria Park into a magical land, the displays are lit every night from 6:30 pm to 11:00 pm, and there is also an Exhibition on Craftsmanship of Lantern Making.
In previous years, the highlight of the event was a monumental state-of-the-art Lantern Wonderland which chose a main signature piece through a design competition organised by the HKTB and several design organisations.
The Design contest was held months prior to the festival and the winning entry was showcased during the Mid-Autumn Festival.
This masterpiece was judged based in four elements: creativity and originality, practicality and safety compliance, use of environmentally friendly materials, and cost effectiveness in consideration of the budget guidelines (the cost of building the design was not to exceed HK$2,000,000 or approx. US$250,000!)
Here's a look at past winners:
"Rising Moon"
The 2013 Lantern Wonderland centerpiece winner was "Rising Moon", a 10-meter half-dome completely made from recycled water bottles and LED lights with fantastic light effects that mirrored the phases of the moon.
You were able to enter the structure which had a capacity of 100 people, and from the inside you could see the hanging
lantern-bottles suspended from the periphery of
the half-dome, which also had an opening so you could enjoy the real moon on that fantastic full-moon night.
"Golden Moon"
For 2012, the winning centerpiece was the "Golden Moon" set up on a water pool and standing 18 metres high.
It was a warm reminder of
the full-moon symbolism of family reunion of the Mid-Autumn festival. The half-dome structure was lit up at night in conjunction
with synchronised music.
"Lee Kum Kee Lantern Wonderland"
The 2011 centerpiece of the celebration was a giant fish-shaped lantern, created with over 2,000 lanterns, it made it into the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest sculpture made of lanterns.
Together with a 3-minute coreographed program, this beautiful massive lantern delighted visitors who enjoyed the musical light show which replayed
every 15 minutes.
No design contest has been announced for the 2022 Lantern Displays at Victoria Park.
Tsim Sha Tsui Interactive Lighting 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.
Likewise at the other Carnival sites (Victoria Park, Shatin Park, Tin Shui Wai Park), the lantern displays run from early September throughout the month.
For more information on this year's Mid-Autumn Lantern Carnivals and Exhibitions check out the official site of the Hong Kong Leisure and and Cultural Services Department at www.lcsd.gov.hk.
Hong Kong Attractions, Tours, Activities that are open during the Mid-Autumn Festival
Tours, attractions and activities that can be conducted safely while adhering to proper social distancing guidelines have reopened as have most outdoor activities.
It's time to get out! Here's a list of fun outdoor things to do that have restarted operations and can be booked now. When possible book tickets online and/or make a reservation as many of the activities are running on limited capacities.
- The Peak Tram, Peak Tower, Sky Terrace and Peak Galleria are OPEN
- The Hong Kong Observation Wheel - is OPEN
- Ocean Park - is OPEN, purchase tickets online, you also must make a reservation for the day of your visit
- Hong Kong Disneyland - is OPEN, purchase tickets online, you also must make a reservation for the day of your visit
- Sky100 Observation Deck - is OPEN
- Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car - is OPEN, purchase tickets online
- Harbour Cruises have restarted, the following have resumed sailings:
- Aqua Luna evening cruises
- 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
- Victoria Peak Private Evening Hike - 2 hours, meets at Central MTR Station, Victoria Peak Tram tickets for return optional
- 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, the Mudflat Hide has also reopened
- Sai Kung Standup-Paddle Adventure - 5 hours, meets at Hang Hau MTR station
- Hike the legendary Ngong Ping 360 Rescue Trail to the Big Buddha - 4 hours, starts at Tung Chung 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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