Hong Kong festivals: Mid-Autumn lanterns and the Tai Hang fire dragon dance

The Mid-Autumn Festival is celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, with a public holiday observed the following day.

Lantern displays at Victoria Park and Tsim Sha Tsui

The largest lantern carnival takes place at Victoria Park in Causeway Bay. A parallel display runs at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza in Tsim Sha Tsui.

Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance

The Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance features a dragon constructed of straw and covered with burning incense sticks. Performers carry the dragon through the streets of Tai Hang village for three nights. The tradition originated in the 19th century to ward off disease and plague and is now listed as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage in China.

Festival foods

Mooncakes remain central, with varieties evolving from traditional lotus seed paste with egg yolk to snow skin, custard, and savory pork fillings. Participants also enjoy tong yuen sweet rice balls along with pomelo and pomegranate as auspicious fruits.

These events draw residents and visitors to specific neighbourhoods including Causeway Bay and Tsim Sha Tsui for the lantern displays and to Tai Hang for the fire dragon procession. The dates align with the lunar calendar and the listed public holiday, allowing broader participation in the evening activities.