This year’s Mid-Autumn Festival in Hong Kong promises to be a dazzling spectacle of tradition and innovation, offering a unique blend of ancient customs and modern technology. From the extended Fire Dragon Dance to a breathtaking drone show, the city will be brimming with festive energy.
Fire Dragon Dance: An Enhanced Spectacle
The beloved Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance is set to captivate more spectators than ever this year. The performance area has been expanded, extending the dance route from Wun Sha Street to Tung Lo Wan Road. This allows more attendees to witness the electrifying spectacle up close and personal.
For those unable to attend in person, the Fire Dragon Dance will be broadcast live from Victoria Park over three nights (16 to 18 September), bringing the vibrant energy of the festival to audiences worldwide. This year, a modern twist is added to this historical tradition with 100 children participating, each wielding a fire dragon lit by 10,000 LED lights, alongside the age-old giant fire dragon.
The Fire Dragon Dance is not the only traditional performance taking center stage. Dynamic rope skipping and fluorescent nunchaku shows will infuse the event with fresh energy, while the nearby Moreton Terrace Temporary Playground offers a perfect photo op with a four-meter-wide glowing full moon installation.
HKTB’s Inaugural Drone Show
On the evening of September 17th, the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) will debut its first drone show themed around the Mid-Autumn Festival at the Wan Chai waterfront. Spectators can marvel as thousands of drones choreograph breathtaking visuals in the sky above Victoria Harbour, creating a whimsical Jade Rabbit animation.
This innovative event invites guests to engage in traditional festival practices like moon gazing and tea tasting, all against the backdrop of Hong Kong’s stunning skyline. Thematic lantern displays and aerial fire dragon performances enhance the classic fire dragon spectacle in Tai Hang, adding a touch of festive wishes to the night. Attendees can also expect a surprise guest appearance, adding to the celebratory atmosphere for both tourists and locals.
Festive Decorations Throughout Hong Kong
Throughout the festival period, HKTB will create engaging installations across Tai Hang, including a giant fire dragon head, the dragon’s glowing pearl, and a traditional fa pai lit with LEDs. These installations provide perfect settings for festive photographs.
Two Bright Ring Trams will feature dynamic fire dragon decorations as they travel around Hong Kong Island, spreading the festive cheer throughout the city. Major city spots like the Central-Mid-Levels Escalators, MTR stations with digital displays, and HKTB’s visitor centers at both the airport and in Kowloon will also be adorned with elements of the fire dragon, infusing the city with a joyful, celebratory atmosphere.
Engage with the Tradition
HKTB has recently released a new promotional video in a comic style that vividly depicts the creation and significance of the Fire Dragon Dance. The video takes viewers through the planning stages and construction of the fire dragon, capturing the profound cultural essence of this unique Hong Kong tradition.
Lantern Carnivals
The festive spirit will be further amplified by lantern carnivals held at various locations around the city, including Victoria Park, the Hong Kong Cultural Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui, Tsing Yi Park, Jao Tsung-I Academy in Mei Foo, Wong Tai Sin Temple, and Lee Tung Avenue in Wan Chai. These events showcase colorful lantern displays, adding to the vibrant, festive mood throughout the city.
Join Hong Kong this Mid-Autumn Festival for a unique blend of ancient traditions and modern flair. Be captivated by the Fire Dragon Dance, be mesmerized by the drone show, and experience the vibrant atmosphere of the city during this special time of year.
