With the Mid-Autumn Festival approaching, the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) is scaling up its festivities this year with a brand-new, large-scale international event: a lantern spectacular that blends cultures from around the world with traditional Mid-Autumn elements. This will be complemented by a diverse range of festive activities across the city, enriching the celebratory atmosphere.

From 17 to 27 September, HKTB will stage its first-ever International Lantern Spectacular at Victoria Park. Centered on the theme of “Reunion”, the event will bring together distinctive lanterns from 20 countries and regions, thousand-year-old Qinhuai lanterns from Nanjing recognised as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage, and locally handcrafted lanterns from Hong Kong. These include:

World Lantern Boulevard: A Cultural Exploration Across Borders
Stepping onto the World Lantern Boulevard, locals and visitors will be surrounded by over 3,000 distinctive lanterns from 20 countries and regions. Among them are silk lanterns from Jinju in South Korea, traditionally made to wish family members health and wellbeing; multicoloured patchwork lanterns from Brazil, radiating warmth and energy; and Polish lanterns incorporating traditional folk paper-cutting techniques. A stroll along the Boulevard is like travelling the world in an instant, with lantern works woven from different styles, crafts and cultural elements offering a glimpse of the distinctive folk customs and artistic appeal of each place. Bringing together lanterns from all corners of the globe in a single promenade, the display not only celebrates cultural diversity but also reflects Hong Kong's diversity and inclusion, sharing the joy of festive reunion with visitors from around the world.

Nanjing Qinhuai Lanterns, a National Intangible Cultural Heritage: Admiring a Millennium of Traditional Artistry
With a history of more than 1,700 years, Nanjing’s Qinhuai lantern craftsmanship is internationally renowned and inscribed on China's National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage. HKTB has invited a Qinhuai lantern-making team from Nanjing to create four tailor made giant Qinhuai lanterns for the Spectacular. Qinhuai lantern-making follows four intricate processes: frame-making, mounting, painting and paper-cutting. Renowned for their translucent, vibrant colours and rich cultural symbolism, the lanterns showcase traditional folk culture and express aspirations for a better life.

Hong Kong Lantern Galleria: A Salute to Local Craftsmanship
At Victoria Park’s Hill Knoll Pavilion, over 400 classic Hong Kong handcrafted lanterns will be on display. Traditional lantern shapes including rabbit, star fruit, and goldfish lanterns will hang overhead, weaving together a scene as colourful and spectacular as “Lantern Street” at Yuen Long’s Tai Kiu Market, and capturing the rich local flavour of a Hong Kong Mid Autumn.

In addition to the above highlights, this year’s International Lantern Spectacular will also be connected with major festive events across the city, including:

LCSD Mid-Autumn Lantern Carnival 2026
This year's Mid-Autumn Lantern Carnival presents a variety of engaging activities that allow the public to immerse themselves in the festive atmosphere and appreciate traditional arts and crafts. Apart from spectacular lantern displays, the carnival will also feature intangible cultural heritage elements such as traditional lantern making.

Date
Mid-Autumn Lantern Carnival: 17–27 September 2026;
Mid-Autumn Lighting Installation: 17 September – 11 October 2026

Time
Lighting-up time: 6:30–11pm;
*The hours will be extended to midnight on 25 September

Venue
Mid-Autumn Lantern Carnival: Victoria Park;
Mid-Autumn Lighting Installation: Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza

Admission
Free Admission

Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance
A recognised National Intangible Cultural Heritage, the 67-metre fire dragon adorned with 12,000 burning incense sticks is paraded by over 300 performers, accompanied by a small LED dragon carried by children. Continuing the tradition that prays for peace and safety, the Dance showcases a cherished, time-honoured custom in Hong Kong.

Date
24–26 September 2026

Venue
Wun Sha Street and Tung Lo Wan Road, Tai Hang, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong Island

Organiser
Tai Hang Residents’ Welfare Association

In this Mid-Autumn Festival, let’s immerse ourselves in dazzling lantern displays from across the globe, offering a world-class Mid-Autumn experience found only in Hong Kong!