This year’s Mid-Autumn Festival features an impressive lineup of events, surpassing those of previous years! The classic Fire Dragon Dance has undergone an upgrade by expanding the performance zone and introducing a live broadcast area in Victoria Park for three consecutive nights (16 to 18 September), engaging more visitors and locals to feel the boundless vibrancy of the traditional festival! On the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival (17 September), the festive experience will be further elevated by the debut of the Hong Kong Tourism Board’s (HKTB) first Mid-Autumn Festival-themed drone show,
featuring thousands of drones weaving together several stunning scenes to convey festive blessings.
The Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance, fully supported by the HKTB, will extend its performing route this year from Wun Sha Street to Tung Lo Wan Road. Designated performance zones have also been added to accommodate a larger on-site audience, allowing them to experience the vibrant charm of the
classic Fire Dragon Dance in person. There will also be a live broadcast of the Fire Dragon Dance in Victoria Park for three consecutive nights (16 to 18 September), bringing boundless festive vibrancy to the audience in real time.
This year’s extravaganza showcases a harmonious blend of modernity and tradition. Approximately 100 children will showcase their dedication by waving a fire dragon illuminated by around 10,000 LED lights, reinterpreting the traditional festive culture in a contemporary form. This dazzling little fire dragon will appear alongside the century-old classic fire dragon, symbolising the passing on of cultural heritage to the next generation. For the first time, the event will feature a variety of action-packed performances, including rope skipping and a fluorescent nunchaku show, injecting youthful vitality into the traditional festive celebration. Visitors can also explore the nearby Moreton Terrace Temporary Playground to capture photos with a four-metre-wide illuminated installation of a full moon. Gather with your friends and family for a heartwarming reunion under the moon!
HKTB’s First Mid-Autumn Drone Show Reinterprets Traditions in a Novel Way On the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival (17 September), the HKTB will present its first MidAutumn-themed drone show at the Wan Chai waterfront. A charming Jade Rabbit will grace the sky above Victoria Harbour, inviting the audience to partake in traditional Mid-Autumn Festival activities, including admiring the moon and sipping tea while enjoying the breathtaking skyline. The event will also feature lantern displays and fire dragon performances in the sky, complementing the classic fire dragon scene in Tai Hang and sending warm wishes for the Mid-Autumn Festival. Spectators should also pay special attention, as the Jade Rabbit will introduce a surprise guest to celebrate the festival with both visitors and locals.
During the festival, the HKTB will arrange various photo-worthy festive installations in Tai Hang, such as the head of the fire dragon, the dragon’s pearl and an LED-lit fa pai for the public to enjoy festive photo shoots. In addition, two illuminating Bright Ring Trams will be adorned with vibrant fire dragons as they travel across Hong Kong Island. Tourist hotspots, such as the Central-Mid-Levels Escalators, MTR digital displays, and HKTB’s visitor centres at the airport and Kowloon, will also be decorated with fire dragon elements. The “fire dragons” leaping through streets and alleys will exude a festive ambience and radiate joy around town.
HKTB has also launched a promotional video about the Fire Dragon Dance in Hong Kong-comic style to tell the authentic making-of story of the Fire Dragon and the spirits of the tradition on its social platform. From planning the event, building the fire dragon and spinning the dragon’s pearl, to
distributing incense sticks and the tea-serving ritual, the video meticulously recreates this intangible cultural heritage of the Tai Hang community, including the Lin Fa Temple, where the fire dragon comes to life with its eyes dotted, and Wun Sha Street, where the Dance takes place, telling the compelling
cultural story of this unique Hong Kong tradition.
In addition to the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance, various locations in the city, such as Victoria Park, the Hong Kong Cultural Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui, Tsing Yi Park, Jao Tsung-I Academy in Mei Foo, the Wong Tai Sin Temple and Lee Tung Avenue in Wan Chai will stage various lantern carnivals. Details of the Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations can be found on the HKTB webpage on DiscoverHongKong.com. Enjoy a heart-warming holiday together with your friends and family
