Hong Kong Events

Two decades on from its launch, this festival of French culture is still going strong. The calendar is always varied, with events from opera and classical dance to circus and cinema; plus there are fashion and food strands to the festival.

Dragon boat racing, as well as live entertainment, food stalls and a vibrant party atmosphere take over Hong Kong during the Dragon Boat Festival. This ancient event, also known as Tuen Ng Festival, commemorates the death of a popular Chinese national hero, Qu Yuan, who drowned himself in the Mi Lo River over 2,000 years ago to protest against the corrupt rulers.

Comic and computer/console game convention with gaming competitions and live entertainment.

When the harvest moon is full and bright, Hong Kong lights up for the Autumn Lantern Festival. Thousands of lanterns in every shape, size and colour fill streets and public parks and visitors should head up to Victoria Peak for the most spectacular views. The festival is an ancient Chinese tradition which commemorates China's 14th-century uprising against Mongolian occupation. Rebels wrote the call to revolt on pieces of paper and embedded them in cakes which they smuggled to compatriots. Today, in honour of this, people eat special yuek beng (moon cakes) - pastry crust filled with sugary fillings like lotus seed paste or red bean paste.

Although Hong Kong’s first jazz festival was held back in 1994, the festival in its current form began in 2008. Lasting a week, it hosts around 300 musicians and includes workshops and talks, as well as performances. The highlight for many is the free open-air concert, but there are dozens of smaller paid-for performances in concert spaces and clubs.

Also known as the Moon Cake Festival, after the sweet treats which are eaten during the run-up and on the day itself. The festival marks a historical rebellion against Mongol rule in which, it is said, plans for revolt were hidden within moon cakes. Events include a lantern parade in Victoria Park.

Hong Kong is a delight for diners at any time of year, but during the Wine & Dine Month some of the best restaurants offer special set menus and other offers. There are also wine appreciation classes, wine-themed cooking classes and tours, plus the Lan Kwai Fong Street Carnival, which combines entertainment with the chance to try food and drink.

A celebration of all things performing arts! There are live performances and artistic events, including music, dance and drama. This is a truly international arts festival which has seen top artists from around the world.

The biggest event of the year for most Chinese residents, with a two week build-up to a day of dragon dances and fireworks. It’s a family event, with visits to temples and – perhaps most important of all – feasting on New Year delicacies such as crescent-shaped dumplings (which symbolise wealth).

Also known as Chinese Valentine’s Day. Lantern parades and matchmaking games.

The Hong Kong International Film Festival is one of Asia's most reputable film festivals. The event reaches over 600,000 individuals, screening over 330 films from over 50 countries. Festival-goers can enjoy world-class films, seminars hosted by film makers from around the world. exhibitions, parties and more.

On ‘grave sweeping day’, families visit the graves of loved ones and tidy them up. They also burn ‘hell money’ which is intended to give the deceased spending power in the afterlife; similarly burning status symbols such as paper cars will equip the departed with luxury goods.

This week of festivities – also known as the Tai Chiu festival – includes parades, martial arts demonstrations and Chinese opera performances. But it’s the buns which really capture the imagination: towers of them are intended to satisfy the ghosts of pirates, and on the final day a huge tower of buns is scaled by teams competing to grab as many of them as possible.