Don’t miss these must-visit festivals during the Mid-Autumn holiday in Hong Kong and Macau!

Written/Compiled and Reported by Chen Guanxin, MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Life Network

 

In just 5 days, the much-awaited Mid-Autumn holiday will be here. Many netizens are probably planning to make the most of the break by visiting Hong Kong and Macau. With the Mid-Autumn Festival in full swing, both regions will hold festive events to celebrate the occasion. From September 14 to 22, Hong Kong will host the “one2free Lantern Wonderland” at Victoria Park in Causeway Bay, featuring a three-story-tall fantastical lantern made from 7,000 recycled plastic bottles, showcasing the beautiful phases of the moon. Meanwhile, the Tai Hang area of Hong Kong will hold its traditional “Fire Dragon Dance” starting September 18. Macau, on the other hand, will kick off activities such as lantern riddles, moon appreciation tea sessions, and the romantic legend dance drama “The Moon Goddess of the Luo River” from September 18. Traditional Mid-Autumn treats like pork cage cakes will also be given out. Netizens planning to travel to Hong Kong and Macau for the Mid-Autumn holiday should not miss this excellent opportunity to experience local Mid-Autumn festivities.

The large lantern display in Hong Kong this year is called “Joyous Mid-Autumn,” designed by young architects Edison Siu Kwok-kin, Chan Pui-hong, Hui Chun-hoi, and Ho Yui-tang. It is the gold award-winning entry from an open design competition. The designers aimed to bring the moon, the star of the Mid-Autumn Festival, to Victoria Park by reimagining the form of a lantern using recycled plastic water bottles. This crescent-shaped lantern stands 10 meters tall and spans approximately 20 meters in diameter, constructed from various recyclable and reusable materials, including around 7,000 plastic water bottles, steel frames, steel cables, and energy-efficient LED bulbs. With dynamic lighting effects, the crescent lantern towering above the pool connects with its reflection on the water, creating the illusion of the moon’s waxing and waning phases.

Additionally, the Tai Hang district in Hong Kong will host the Fire Dragon Dance. Amidst the beat of drums, nearly 300 performers dance with a 67-meter-long dragon adorned with over 10,000 incense sticks, weaving through the streets. Normally quiet alleys become filled with swirling smoke and flickering flames. This three-day tradition of the Fire Dragon Dance originated in the 19th century when residents sought to ward off plagues. It has since become a unique custom in Hong Kong and was listed as part of the third batch of National Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2011.

If you're planning to visit Macau for the Mid-Autumn Festival, don’t miss the “Moonlight Over the Praia Grande” series of events from September 18–20. These include song and dance performances, lantern riddles, and moon appreciation tea sessions (from 8:30 PM to 10:00 PM, free of charge), held at Sun Yat Sen Municipal Park, Lou Lim Ieoc Garden, Coloane Hac Sa Beach Park, yP Han Market Park, and Taipa Village. On the evenings of September 18 and 19, from 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM at the Macao Cultural Centre Grand Auditorium, catch the grand epic dance drama “The Moon Goddess of the Luo River” as part of the “Moonlit Nights Over the Praia Grande” event (tickets required, no assigned seating). The production, performed by the Zhengzhou Song and Dance Theatre, brings China’s timeless love story to the Macau stage.

The Macau Government Tourism Office will also hold the free event “Jade Rabbit Lanterns Light Up Avenida do Visconde de S. Januário” during the Mid-Autumn Festival, featuring traditional Chinese-style lanterns in Rua da Felicidade, along with street performances and free traditional Mid-Autumn treats like pork cage cakes. On the afternoon of September 19 from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM, the Macau Holy House of Mercy Old Ladies’ House will host a free “Mid-Autumn Garden Party Evening,” where visitors can carry lanterns, enjoy the poetic garden, admire the moon, appreciate traditional rabbit lanterns, and sample festive treats.

 

 

●  Read More:

Macau’s Old Times – Rediscovering the Old City

http://goo.gl/X8Igfc

 

MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Life Network – The Largest Chinese Travel Information Platform

www.mook.com.tw