Large-scale lantern carnivals to celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival (with photos)
Further to the interactive lighting installation "The Moon Machine", which has been displayed at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza since September 15, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) will showcase spectacular lantern displays of different themes at the Mid-Autumn Lantern Carnivals in Victoria Park, Sha Tin Park and Tuen Mun Park from tomorrow (September 23) until October 2. The lantern displays will be lit up from 6.30pm to 11pm daily, with lighting hours extended to midnight on the Mid-Autumn Day (September 29).
A vast range of activities will be organised in the three above-mentioned parks at different dates. A fire dragon dance parade, as well as a paid programme, the grand finale of the Chinese Opera Festival 2023 "Bless This Land – Cantonese Opera Showcase under the Bamboo Theatre", will be held in Victoria Park; while youth shows and a gala night will be staged at Sha Tin Park and Tuen Mun Park respectively.
Details of the lantern carnivals are as below:
| Victoria Park | |
| September 23 to October 2 | – Lantern displays with the theme of "Chinese Delights in Full Splendour", including a lantern entitled "Chasing the Bunnies Under the Moonlit Lanterns" crafted by local masters using traditional techniques, a revolving lantern, "Autumn's Moonlit Charm", created by Foshan masters, lanterns themed on the four Chinese solar terms, and a large-scale lantern set on Cantonese opera and in the shape of a floral board found in bamboo shed theatres. – Lantern riddles – Paid programme: the grand finale of the Chinese Opera Festival 2023, "Bless This Land – Cantonese Opera Showcase under the Bamboo Theatre at Victoria Park" (until October 8) |
| September 23 to 24, October 1 to 2 (from 8pm to 11pm) |
– Workshops on Cantonese opera accessories and Cantonese opera miniature props |
| September 28 to 30 8pm to 10.30pm |
– Tai Hang fire dragon dance parade (only on September 29, 10.30pm to 11.30pm) – Demonstrations of folk crafts and intangible cultural heritage items of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao: Foshan coloured lanterns, Chaozhou flower lanterns, technique of making Hong Kong cheongsam, Cantonese opera headdress crafting techniques and Macao Seong Ka carpentry |
| Sha Tin Park | |
| September 23 to October 2 | – Lantern displays with the theme of "Happy Reunion by the Riverside" featuring lanterns of lovely jade rabbits, pandas and giraffes, lively horses and a large-scale revolving lantern decorated with scenery and the livelihoods of the Sha Tin District – Lantern riddles |
| September 27 (from 7.30pm to 9.30pm) |
– Youth Night: music, dance, cheerleading, marching band and other performances by local arts groups, young artists and district organisations |
| September 28 (from 7.30pm to 10pm) |
– Chinese orchestra performances – Chinese ethnic music, dance and variety performances by Guangxi Art Performance Group – Demonstrations of folk crafts and intangible cultural heritage items of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao: Guangzhou cake printing technique, Cantonese Mahogany Palace lantern making technique, jade crafting technique, flower button making technique and micro-engraving in porcelain – Lantern workshop – Street juggling and puppet performances |
| Tuen Mun Park | |
| September 23 to October 2 | – Lantern displays themed "Lotus Pond under the Full Moon", including a large traditional Chinese-style lantern surrounded by lotus flowers and bird lanterns, a colourful ferris wheel lantern, witty cat and bouncy rabbit lanterns. – Lantern riddles |
| September 29 (7.30pm to 9.30pm) |
– Youth Night: music, dance, cheerleading, marching band and other performances by local arts groups, young artists and district organisations |
| September 30 (7.30pm to 10pm) |
– Chinese orchestra performances – Chinese ethnic music, dance and variety performances by Guangxi Art Performance Group – Demonstrations of folk crafts and intangible cultural heritage items of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao: Guangzhou cake printing technique, Cantonese Mahogany Palace lantern making technique, jade crafting technique, flower button making technique and micro-engraving in porcelain – Workshops on lanterns, African hand painting, moonlight lamp installation – Chinese juggling and African drum performances |
In addition to the above programmes, members of the public can also visit a photo-shooting "check-in" spot, namely the interactive lighting installation entitled "The Moon Machine", being displayed at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza pool until October 8.
For enquiries, please call 2591 1340 or visit the webpage at: www.cpo.gov.hk/event/en-mid-autumn-lantern-carnivals-2023-1.
The Mid-Autumn Lantern Carnivals 2023 is one of the LCSD's programmes in support of the Night Vibes Hong Kong campaign. The LCSD has all along actively promoted Chinese history and culture. Apart from the Mid-Autumn Lantern Carnivals 2023, the grand finale of the Chinese Opera Festival 2023, "Bless This Land – Cantonese Opera Showcase under the Bamboo Theatre at Victoria Park" will be staged from September 23 to October 8. Meanwhile, the Chinese Film Panorama 2023 showcasing distinctive works released on the Mainland in recent years is running until October 29. Members of the public can make use of these occasions to learn more about the characteristics of Chinese culture.
