Lights, Lanterns, Lions: Hong Kong’s Mid-Autumn Lantern Carnival 2025
The Mid-Autumn Lantern Carnival is back, and you absolutely do not want to miss it this year! For visitors and locals alike, where else can you find massive, Instagrammable lantern displays of pandas, dragons, and fish all in one place, plus a full night market? Not to mention, there are riddle stations, live performances, traditional-inspired arts and crafts activities, and even a fire dragon dance! Don’t worry if you couldn’t make it in September, the most exciting activities are coming up in the next few days!
More than Mooncakes: What is the Mid-Autumn Festival?
The Mid-Autumn Festival is also known as the Moon Festival and it is originally celebrated as a form of gratitude for a great autumn harvest. It’s a thanks for good fortune and time for unity when families reunite. Looking more at the history, the most famous legend of how the Mid-Autumn Festival came to be is with Hou Yi and Chang’e. Hou Yi was an archer that shot down nine of ten suns to stop Earth from burning up, receiving an elixir of immortality for his deeds. Shortly after, his wife, Chang’e, drank the elixir in order to prevent a thief from stealing it. This caused Chang’e to float to the moon and Hou Yi would offer mooncakes and fruit to attract her back. This story has many versions and details that may differ, but it has turned into a tradition where families unite and enjoy meals together, wishing for more fortune and ending meals with mooncake, glutinous rice balls, and fruit.
Information
Location: Victoria Park, Causeway Bag
Dates: Sep 30 – Oct 7, 2025
Time: 6:30 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. (extended to midnight on October 6)
Cost: Free!
Key Dates
Oct 5, 2025 (Sunday)
Youth Night
Time: 7:30 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance (Live Broadcast) ^
Time: 7:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
Oct 6, 2025 (Monday)
Gala Night
Time: 7:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance (Live Broadcast) ^
Time: 7:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance ^
Time: 10:30 p.m. – 11:30 p.m.
Oct 7, 2025 (Tuesday)
Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance (Live Broadcast) ^
Time: 7:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
Lantern Art Displays
This year, the lantern displays are inspired by the 15th National Games, the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities and the 9th National Special Olympic Games. Not only do they intertwine traditional and modern design, but some lantern displays were created to represent one of the five elements in traditional Chinese philosophy: Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth.
Here are all the lantern displays:
- Abundance of Wood and Greenery, A Flourishing World of Life
- Playful Fish in Turquoise Waters, Lively Leaps in Sheer Delight
- A Feast of Fire and Flowers
- Hearts Entwine with the Bay, Harmony Flourishes across all Homes
- Gold Shines, Energy Explodes
- Moonlit ICH Shining with Brilliant Boats and Lanterns.
- Brighten up the City with One Joyous Heart