Mid-Autumn Festival in Hong Kong: things to do, from making mooncakes, or donating some to the needy, to a Disney movie night under the full moon
- What’s on over the Mid-Autumn Festival weekend in Hong Kong this year? A list of activities, from mooncake making to a Disney film marathon under the stars
- Head down to Ocean Park to learn more about the moon and other celestial objects in the sky, or simply wander through Victoria Park to see the lantern displays
The Mid-Autumn Festival, which this year falls on September 10, is just around the corner. We round up the best spots in Hong Kong to view the full moon, where to shop for the best lanterns and where to go to take part in fun festive activities.
Make your own mooncakes
This two-hour-long session, run by the non-profit organisation Haw Par Music, is an opportunity to introduce your children to the history and craft behind the traditional pastry.
Create a mooncake from a choice of fillings and moulds – then head down to the mansion’s very own lantern festival celebration after class to enjoy the festivities.
September 9, 2pm-4pm or 4pm-6pm, 15A Tai Hang Road, Tai Hang, Hong Kong
Go moon-gazing
Explore the park’s Grand Aquarium at night to learn about the nocturnal behaviour of sea creatures, or make your own lanterns from recycled materials. Tickets cost HK$320, which includes park admission and a HK$50 dining cash coupon.
September 10-11, 5pm-10pm, Ocean Park, Aberdeen, Hong Kong
Lounge under the stars
The night under the stars comes complete with a picnic basket with sandwiches, doughnuts and drinks.
Every evening, 7pm-9pm, Disneyland Hotel, Magic Road, Lantau Island, Hong Kong
Shop for lanterns
Every year close to the Mid-Autumn Festival, Fuk Wing Street in Sham Shui Po, Kowloon, is transformed from “Toy Street” into a “lantern street”, as the toy shops sell lanterns instead of their usual wares – you will see a wealth of designs, from goldfish and rabbits to cartoon character lanterns that play music.
Support small businesses
Take a trip down memory lane at Fu Lee Loy Shopping Centre, a shopping centre in Fortress Hill built in the 1980s and recently revived. Explore this cosy space and experience the hospitality of the shop owners.
On top of traditional activities like guessing riddles and tasting mooncakes, shop at the dozens of small stores selling handmade soaps, locally farmed honey and vintage toys.
Check out performances by Henrietta Secondary School students, and take part in the free mead tasting offered by local bee farm Beetales. After night falls, head to nearby Victoria Park in Causeway Bay to view the annual lantern display.
September 10 to 11, 3pm-8pm, 9-27 King Wah Road, Fortress Hill, North Point, Hong Kong
Go see the largest lantern display
The annual lantern display will go on with anti-pandemic measures in place – visitors will need to scan their LeaveHomeSafe application on their phones, while those with red (a confirmed case) or amber (an international arrival within their medical surveillance period) health codes will not be allowed in.
September 7 to 12, 6.30pm-11pm, Victoria Park, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
Donate your mooncakes
Mid-Autumn Festival is all about reunion and gatherings. What better way to spread and share that joy than to donate your surplus mooncakes to those who are unable to afford these treats?
The food charities will only accept individually packaged mooncakes that are not expired and will not take any snowy mooncakes or mooncakes that require refrigerating.
