Experience the magic of the Mid-Autumn Festival in Hong Kong. From enchanting moongazing sessions and delightful picnics under the stars to bus rides that showcase the city’s vibrant energy, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
The South China Morning Post has curated a round-up of all the exciting offerings for this festive occasion.
1. What are the highlights at night?
At Victoria Park in Causeway Bay, the Hong Kong Tourism Board has organised the World Lantern Boulevard, which will showcase more than 3,000 distinctive lanterns from 20 countries and regions, such as South Korea and Brazil.
Since opening on September 17, the show has proved so popular – drawing crowds every night – that the board has decided to extend it by a week to October 4.
The show offers many photo-taking opportunities, including at the entrance, an eight-metre-tall lantern inspired by the city’s banyan trees and created by master artisans in Nanjing.
Just a few minutes’ walk from Victoria Park, locals and tourists can catch the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance on the evenings of Friday and Saturday. A 67-metre-long fire dragon, a beast of legend, adorned with 12,000 burning incense sticks, will be carried through the neighbourhood.
In Wan Chai, Lee Tung Avenue will feature a 200-metre-long walkway lit up by a colourful canopy of lanterns.
Meanwhile, Citybus has partnered with the Wan Chai Blue House to launch the first-ever Mid-Autumn Festival-themed open-top bus route, H1M “Moon Viewing Tour of Hong Kong Island”.
The tour bus will pass Victoria Park and visit many locations on Hong Kong Island including Kennedy Town, the Hill Road Flyover and the Blue House, a four-storey pre-war building.
Across Victoria Harbour, at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza in Tsim Sha Tsui, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department will present a lighting installation until October 11.
2. What are the daytime highlights?
At the West Kowloon Cultural District arts hub, the Harbourside East Lawn of the Art Park has been turned into a picnic ground until October 11, with food stalls, live music and themed workshops.
Visitors can also cycle along the Victoria Harbour waterfront and explore arts and cultural spaces.
3. When is the best time to gaze at the moon?
According to the Hong Kong Observatory, the full moon will occur in the early hours of Sunday.
However, the forecaster said a bright, round moon should still be seen at night during the Mid-Autumn Festival period, weather permitting.
The best time for moongazing on Friday night is around 11.24pm, when the moon reaches its highest elevation in the sky.
On Friday, the weather is expected to be mainly fine and dry. On Saturday, there will be sunny periods with very hot weather during the day. But it will be cloudy in the morning and at night on both days.
4. Any special transport arrangements?
On Friday, MTR lines – except the Airport Express, Disneyland Resort line and the section of the East Rail line to and from Lo Wu and Lok Ma Chau stations – will run enhanced services from 3pm onwards.
Services on these lines will also be extended to the early hours on Saturday.
Eleven Light Rail routes and three MTR bus routes will also extend services to the early hours of Saturday, while tram and ferry services will be strengthened, subject to passenger demand.
