23rd September 2023 – (Hong Kong) In a celebration of the Mid-Autumn Festival, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) is set to dazzle visitors with a series of magnificent lantern displays at the Mid-Autumn Lantern Carnivals in Victoria Park, Sha Tin Park, and Tuen Mun Park. From 23rd September to 2nd October, these parks will come alive with vibrant lights, showcasing a variety of captivating themes. The lantern displays will be illuminated daily from 6.30pm to 11pm, with extended hours until midnight on Mid-Autumn Day, 29th September.
Spanning multiple dates, each park will host a range of activities and performances. Victoria Park will feature a fire dragon dance parade and the grand finale of the Chinese Opera Festival 2023, “Bless This Land – Cantonese Opera Showcase under the Bamboo Theatre.” Sha Tin Park and Tuen Mun Park will entertain visitors with youth shows, gala nights, music performances, dance showcases, and more.
Here are the highlights of the Mid-Autumn Lantern Carnivals at each park:
Victoria Park:
- Lantern displays with the theme of “Chinese Delights in Full Splendour,” including traditional lanterns crafted by local masters and a large-scale lantern set on Cantonese opera.
- Lantern riddles and workshops on Cantonese opera accessories and miniature props.
- Tai Hang fire dragon dance parade on September 29, showcasing a traditional folk dance.
- Demonstrations of folk crafts and intangible cultural heritage items, including Foshan coloured lanterns, Chaozhou flower lanterns, and Cantonese opera headdress crafting techniques.
Sha Tin Park:
- Lantern displays with the theme of “Happy Reunion by the Riverside,” featuring charming jade rabbits, pandas, giraffes, and a large-scale revolving lantern.
- Lantern riddles, youth nights with music, dance, cheerleading, and marching band performances.
- Chinese orchestra performances and Chinese ethnic music, dance, and variety shows by the Guangxi Art Performance Group.
- Demonstrations of folk crafts and intangible cultural heritage items, such as Guangzhou cake printing technique and jade crafting technique.
- Lantern workshops, street juggling, and puppet performances.
Tuen Mun Park:
- Lantern displays themed “Lotus Pond under the Full Moon,” featuring traditional Chinese-style lanterns and colourful ferris wheel lanterns.
- Lantern riddles and youth nights with music, dance, cheerleading, and marching band performances.
- Chinese orchestra performances and Chinese ethnic music, dance, and variety shows by the Guangxi Art Performance Group.
- Demonstrations of folk crafts and intangible cultural heritage items, including Guangzhou cake printing technique and micro-engraving in porcelain.
- Workshops on lanterns, African hand painting, and moonlight lamp installation, along with Chinese juggling and African drum performances.
Additionally, visitors can enjoy an interactive lighting installation called “The Moon Machine” at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza pool until 8th October. This photo-shooting “check-in” spot adds to the festive atmosphere and provides a unique experience.
The Mid-Autumn Lantern Carnivals 2023, organized by the LCSD, are part of the Night Vibes Hong Kong campaign, promoting Chinese history and culture. Alongside the lantern carnivals, the Chinese Opera Festival 2023 will present “Bless This Land – Cantonese Opera Showcase under the Bamboo Theatre” at Victoria Park, while the Chinese Film Panorama 2023 showcases remarkable Mainland Chinese films until 29th October. These events offer opportunities for the public to immerse themselves in the richness of Chinese culture.
