Lantern carnivals to celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival (with photos)

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) will present a wide range of activities including festive lantern carnivals and an interactive lighting installation to celebrate the coming Mid-Autumn Festival. Admission to all activities is free.
 
     An interactive lighting installation entitled "To the Moon" is on display at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza until October 1. The installation features two miniature illuminated trains that depart from the former Kowloon-Canton Railway terminus with 10 moons floating up and down with music along the tracks. More than 300 boxes, each containing a moon story, are placed at both sides. These moon stories have been created by local families and each tells a different family tale. In addition, a special event entitled "Storyline under the Moon" will be held in the evening from September 22 to 25, featuring storytelling and lantern making workshops.
 
     Three lantern carnivals showcasing a variety of entertainment will be held at Tai Po Waterfront Park on September 23, at Victoria Park on September 24 and at Tuen Mun Park on September 25. Details are as follows:
 
     1. New Territories East Mid-Autumn Lantern Carnival
         September 23 (Sunday), 7.30pm to 10pm
         Tai Po Waterfront Park
         Programmes: Spectacular Chinese ethnic songs, dances and acrobatics, a Chinese orchestral performance, crosstalk, a band performance, a magic performance with Noh theatre, a harmonica ensemble performance and demonstrations of Guangdong and Hong Kong folk crafts.
         Lantern display period: September 21 to 25
 
     2. Urban Mid-Autumn Lantern Carnival
         September 24 (Monday), 8pm to 11pm
         Victoria Park
         Programmes: Spectacular Chinese ethnic songs, dances and acrobatics, a choral performance, children's theatre performances, a fire dragon dance parade, a lantern riddle quiz, astronomy talks and documentary screenings, a star-gazing activity, a creative market and demonstrations of Guangdong and Hong Kong folk crafts.
         Lantern display period: September 21 to 25
 
     3. New Territories West Mid-Autumn Lantern Carnival
         September 25 (Tuesday), 7.30pm to 10pm
         Tuen Mun Park
         Programmes: Spectacular Chinese ethnic songs, dances and acrobatics, a luminous dragon dance performance, a choral and orchestral concert, a Chinese instrumental concert, pop and street music performances, rhythmic gymnastics, dance and rope skipping performances, Nepalese dance and band performance, and demonstrations of Guangdong and Hong Kong folk crafts.
         Lantern display period: September 21 to 25
 
     The Ningxia Arts Troupe, supported by the Office of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Affairs of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, will perform spectacular folk songs, dances and acrobatic shows in the three carnivals. In addition, folk craft demonstrations by Guangdong and local masters, including Guangdong paper-cutting, plaster moulding, unicorn paper crafting and Guangcai (Guangzhou famille rose porcelain) craftsmanship, will also be featured.
 
     The carnival sites will each be decorated with dazzling lanterns. With the theme of "Full Moon across the Universe", the Victoria Park carnival will showcase different lighting installations inspired by the starry sky, including "Time Expressions", "Asteroids and Comets" and "Cassiopeia Constellation", presenting a journey into the galaxy.
 
     Another highlight at Victoria Park is an exhibition on traditional paper crafting. Organised by the Intangible Cultural Heritage Office of the LCSD and inspired by the lucky bat decoration used in fa pau (paper floral tributes), a local craftsman handmade some 90 colourful bat-shaped lanterns to create the image of auspicious bats dancing in the sky.
 
     Following themes of "A Walk in the Park" and "Sparkling Joy under the Moon" respectively, Tai Po Waterfront Park and Tuen Mun Park will be filled with festive programmes and displays for members of the public to enjoy in a relaxing atmosphere.
 
     Apart from lantern carnivals, the programme "Youth Night" will be held at the above venues one night before each carnival from 7.30pm to 9.30pm, showcasing the energy and creativity of young people with a variety of programmes.
 
     People are urged not to litter or burn wax while celebrating the festival.

     For more information on the above programmes, please call 2591 1340 or visit the website at www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/eo/territoryevents/midautumnlantern/midAutumn2018.html.