Mid-Autumn Festival: Inaugural Int’l Lantern Spectacular opens Thurs in Victoria Park

Victoria Park in Causeway Bay will become an international spectacle for lantern crafts from September 17 to mark the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival. Organized by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), the inaugural International Lantern Spectacular will be free to attend and run until September 27. The centerpiece will be an eight-meter "Shadowlight" lantern, an illuminated banyan tree crafted by Nanjing master artisans.

Visitors can wander along the "World Lantern Boulevard" near the model boat pool, admiring lanterns from 20 countries. Thematic decorations and a mooncake sales booth will also be available. The Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza in Tsim Sha Tsui will host its own lantern display, illuminated daily from 6:30pm until October 11.

On the same day as the Mid-Autumn Festival on September 25, Hongkongers will enjoy a public holiday the following day. Fire dragon dances will take place near Victoria Park, with a 67-meter dragon featuring 12,000 incense sticks parading through Tai Hang's streets from September 24 to 26.

Meanwhile, Lee Tung Avenue will feature 800 red lanterns in a "Moon Fest Lumiere" decoration, viewable from now until October 19. An 18-meter LED fire dragon will weave through the area on September 25. Fire dragon dances will also be held in Pok Fu Lam village and Aberdeen. Free Light Rail rides will be offered on September 25 as part of Huatai International's collaboration with the Strive and Rise Programme.