Mid-Autumn Festival 2024: The Best Lantern Displays and Carnivals in Hong Kong  (2024)

The month of September promises festive cheer for Hongkongers in the form of the Mid-Autumn Festival. The city’s biggest cultural celebration is packed with stunning lantern displays, carnivals, dances and delectable delicacies like mooncakes to gorge on. With city-wide lantern displays, the festive time magically illuminates the Hong Kong skyline. To make the most of the 2024 Mid-Autumn Festival in Hong Kong, let’s take you through the best lantern displays and events across the city.

This year, the Mid-Autumn Festival falls on September 17, 2024. On this designated public holiday, lantern carnivals and lunar displays decorate the cityscape, symbolising good fortune as well as prosperity. While the government undertakes some large-scale events to commemorate the festival, you’ll also find a number of lantern displays organised by various communities across the city. Victoria Park hosts the largest lantern carnival with many cultural programs. Some of the other prominent lantern carnivals include the celebrations at New Territories, the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza as well as Tai O Water Village.

Imaginative lantern shapes, from cartoon characters to floral motifs decorate the markets, with people parading their favourite picks at the carnivals. So, what are you waiting for? Sort your plans for this Mid-Autumn Festival 2024 by visiting the city’s best lantern displays listed in our guide below.

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Best Mid-Autumn Festival 2024 lantern displays in Hong Kong

1. Urban Lantern Festivalat Victoria Park

Mid-Autumn Festival 2024: The Best Lantern Displays and Carnivals in Hong Kong (3)

When: September 12 to September 18, 2024

Where:Victoria Park, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong

Website: cpo.gov.hk/event/en-mid-autumn-lantern-carnivals-2024

Welcome to the largest Mid-Autumn lantern carnival in Hong Kong. The Urban Lantern Carvinal is most popular among both locals and tourists. Apart from exquisite lantern displays, you have to try out the seasonal delicacies at the stalls, enjoy performances by art groups from the mainland, as well as witness the fire dragon dance and folk craft demonstrations in all their glory.

2. Tai O Water Village Lantern Festival

Mid-Autumn Festival 2024: The Best Lantern Displays and Carnivals in Hong Kong (4)

When: September 1 to September 22, 2024

Where: Tai O, Lantau Island

Website: facebook.com/TAIOFEIMAOLI

Apart from its thrilling Dragon Boat parade, the village of Tai O is famous for hosting its own lantern festival. Interstingly, all the lanterns are curated by local artisans themselves and hung along the village’s many waterways to pay homage to the moon goddess Chang’e. However, the best lantern viewing spot is in front of the mural at Tai O Square. What’s more is that a host of fun Mid-Autumn Festival 2024 events, workshops as well as competitions await your participation. So, get started.

3. Lee Tung Avenue ‘Moon Fest Lumiere’ festival

Mid-Autumn Festival 2024: The Best Lantern Displays and Carnivals in Hong Kong (5)

When: Now to October 15, 2024

Where: Lee Tung Avenue, 200 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai

Website: leetungavenue.com.hk

A popular Mid-Autumn Festival destination, Lee Tung Avenue is returning with its ‘Moon Fest Lumiere’ campaign wherein over 800 traditional Chinese lanterns, also fish-shaped lanterns, will be decorated throughout the 200-metre-long tree-lined street. This year’s highlight, however, will be the LED Fire Dragon Fiesta happening on September 17. It will feature an 18-metre-long LED fire dragon with complementary LED lion dance as well as drumming performances. A host of other exciting events also await anyone planning to visit Lee Tung Avenue for the Mid-Autumn Festival 2024.

4. Starstreet Precinct’s ‘Moon Moon Dance Party’

Mid-Autumn Festival 2024: The Best Lantern Displays and Carnivals in Hong Kong (6)

When: Now to September 22, 2024

Where: Starstreet Precinct, Wan Chai, Hong Kong

Website: pacificplace.com.hk

Light up the dance floor this Mid-Autumn Festival 2024 with Starstreet Precinct’s ‘Moon Moon Dance Party’. This year’s theme is an exciting celestial lunar adventure, featuring one of Hong Kong’s favourite duos, Mr n Mrs Moon. Apart from clicking Instgraamable selfies of the decorations, you can enjoy massive shopping rewards as well as fantastic giveaways, including Mr n Mrs Moon-themed goodies. Stand a chance to win exclusive Moon Moon 3D Soy Sauce Dish Sets, chic Moon Moon Stainless Steel Tumblers, as well as enjoy special dining vouchers for extra savings.

5. AIRSIDE’s MR.FRIENDLY installations

Mid-Autumn Festival 2024: The Best Lantern Displays and Carnivals in Hong Kong (7)

When: Now to October 1, 2024

Where: Airside, Kai Tak, Hong Kong

Website: airside.com.hk

Shopping hub AIRSIDE is marking its 1st anniversary with a special Mid-Autumn Festival celebration featuring world-renowned Japanese social character MR.FRIENDLY. You can find towering inflatables of MR.FRIENDLY and the bright moon across the space, the iconic smile dotting every corner. In addition to the installations as well as graphic displays, AIRSIDE has partnered with select dining outlets for MR. FRIENDLY-themed menus, including limited-edition coffees and beverages.

So, enjoy this festival with stunning installations and delicious food under the moonlit sky. Adding to this is a limited dessert giveaway and a pet-friendly market for a fun day out with your furry friends. Lastly, you can win HKD 1M plus AIRSIDE x MR.FRIENDLY festive collectables with designated spending. So, hurry up!

6. Citygate Lost Dogs’ Disco” art installation

Mid-Autumn Festival 2024: The Best Lantern Displays and Carnivals in Hong Kong (8)

When: September 13 to October 13, 2024

Where: The Atrium on L2 and The Piazza on L4, Citygate Outlets 

Website: citygateoutlets.com.hk

Citygate outlets are marking the 2024 Mid-Autumn Festival the ‘paw-sitive’ way. The Lost Dogs Disco installation at Citygate Outlets features 16 dog sculptures in various poses, placed throughout the mall’s indoor as well as outdoor areas. The giant installations featuring the fluff balls are enhanced with surround sounds, immersive visuals and a host of other interactive elements.

At the Piazza on L4, you’ll spot 5 giant inflatable dogs lounging, standing, and even touching noses. Meanwhile, a 5.5-metre Dalmatian will greet visitors in the Atrium on L2, flaunting its dance moves on a glittering disco stage. Lastly, Citygate Outlets will host a pet market at the Piazza on L4 outdoor terrace every weekend from September 14 to October 13. So, it’s the perfect time to pamper your adorable companions.

7. Mikiki ‘Autumn Moon Festival’ installations

Mid-Autumn Festival 2024: The Best Lantern Displays and Carnivals in Hong Kong (9)

When: September 9 to October 1, 2024

Where: Mikiki G/F Atrium, Zone A (near Lukfook Jewellery)

Website: mikiki-mall.com.hk

Mid-Autumn Festival-themed installations and large-scale market await your presence at the Mikiki. The shopping centre will transform into a Chinese ‘Autumn Moon Courtyard’ featuring a tall giant full moon installation as well as adorable jade rabbit decorations. Also, don’t miss out on the ‘Autumn Moon Market’ which will feature around 30 local speciality brands selling festive foods, exquisite gift boxes, fine wines, and selected lifestyle products. Additionally, on all the select weekends in September, you can also participate in a series of Mid-Autumn-themed experience workshops, including making pet mooncakes, lanterns, and night light decorations at Mikiki.

8. New Territories Mid-Autumn Lantern Carnival

Mid-Autumn Festival 2024: The Best Lantern Displays and Carnivals in Hong Kong (10)

When: September 12 to September 18, 2024

Where: Tsing Yi Park, 60 Tsing King Rd, Tsing Yi

Website: ccf.gov.hk

A relatively less-crowded option for those who want to enjoy their Mid-Autumn Festival sightings peacefully, New Territories undoubtedly hosts one of the best carnivals. The Tsing Yi Park will be covered in lantern displays of interesting shapes and sizes for an entire week. There will also be self-service lantern riddles and different small group performances every night. So, you better not miss this one.

(Main image credit: Chinese Culture Festival website; Feature image: Hong Kong Tourism Board)

This story first appeared on Lifestyle Asia Hong Kong.

The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.

Mid-Autumn Festival 2024: The Best Lantern Displays and Carnivals in Hong Kong  (2024)

FAQs

Mid-Autumn Festival 2024: The Best Lantern Displays and Carnivals in Hong Kong ? ›

During the festival, lanterns of all size and shapes – which symbolize beacons that light people's path to prosperity and good fortune – are carried and displayed. Mooncakes, a rich pastry typically filled with sweet-bean, egg yolk, meat or lotus-seed paste, are traditionally eaten during this festival.

What is the significance of lanterns in Mid-Autumn Festival? ›

During the festival, lanterns of all size and shapes – which symbolize beacons that light people's path to prosperity and good fortune – are carried and displayed. Mooncakes, a rich pastry typically filled with sweet-bean, egg yolk, meat or lotus-seed paste, are traditionally eaten during this festival.

How is Mid-Autumn Festival celebrated in Hong Kong? ›

Apart from the spectacular lantern displays at the Mid-Autumn Lantern Carnivals, there will be stage performances by arts groups from Mainland China as well as elements of intangible cultural heritage, such as traditional lantern displays, fire dragon dances, and folk craft demonstrations from Guangdong, Hong Kong and ...

What is the story of the Mid-Autumn Festival? ›

The festival started more than 2,000 years ago as a post-autumn harvest celebration, which was devoted to thanking the gods. Most scholars believe that the Mid-autumn Festival first appeared during the Song dynasty, derived from the tradition of worshipping the moon.

What do you usually do on Mid-Autumn Festival? ›

There are various activities held to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival in Vietnam. The main activities include eating moon cake, carrying carp-shaped lanterns, and worshiping the God of Earth. It's also a tradition for the Vietnamese to light lanterns during the Mid-Autumn night.

Where do you celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival? ›

The Mid-autumn Festival is observed widely throughout China, Taiwan, Korea, Japan, Singapore, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, which typically falls in mid-September or early October.

What to eat during the mooncake festival? ›

10 Traditional Foods to Enjoy During the Mid-Autumn Festival
  • Mooncakes.
  • Songpyeon.
  • Hangwa.
  • Wine.
  • Duck.
  • Seasonal Fruit.
  • Lotus Root.
  • Taro.
Jul 28, 2024

Is the Mid-Autumn Festival a public holiday in Hong Kong? ›

The Mid-Autumn Festival is a public holiday in Hong Kong, which means many businesses will close or operate on reduced hours. It's vital to communicate any changes in your business schedule to clients and partners in advance. For more information on public holidays, visit our Hong Kong Public Holidays page.

What is the meaning of mooncake? ›

noun. moon·​cake ˈmün-ˌkāk. plural mooncakes. : a small pastry filled with sweet or savory ingredients and traditionally associated with the Mid-Autumn Festival in Chinese culture and various other East and Southeast Asian cultures.

Why do we eat mooncake? ›

A mooncake (simplified Chinese: 月饼; traditional Chinese: 月餅) is a Chinese bakery product traditionally eaten during the Mid-Autumn Festival (中秋節). The festival is primarily about the harvest while a legend connects it to moon watching, and mooncakes are regarded as a delicacy.

What are the symbols of the Mid-Autumn Festival? ›

Lanterns, Dragons, and Mooncakes: The Symbols of the Mid-Autumn Festival. As the autumn moon graces the night sky, families and communities across Asia and beyond come together to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival.

Who invented mooncake? ›

Mooncake history is as long as 3,000 years in China. The predecessor of mooncake is the Taishi cake in the Shang Dynasty (17th century BC - 1046 BC) and Zhou Dynasty (17th century BC - 256 BC). For a long time in history, mooncakes were used as a sacrifice on the Mid-Autumn Festival.

What are the traditions during Mid-Autumn Festival? ›

Make and hanging colorful lanterns. Drinking Osmanthus wine. Giving gifts. Sending celebration messages to loved ones.

When to give mooncakes? ›

The ideal time to give mooncakes is usually 2 weeks to 1 month before the official day of the Mid-Autumn Festival. This allows the recipient to feel your thoughtfulness and gives them enough time to enjoy and share the mooncakes with family and friends.

What flowers represent the Mid-Autumn Festival? ›

Present your loved ones at the Mid-Autumn Festival with a bouquet of bright red and golden asters, gerberas, and carnations — with wishes of warmth and joy. Another flower that the Chinese people especially revere is orchids.

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