The vibrant glow of lanterns illuminated Victoria Park on Thursday as the week-long Mid-Autumn Festival carnival opened its doors, ushering in one of Hong Kong’s most beloved celebrations.
This year, the city is hosting three lantern carnivals, with Victoria Park’s event themed “Charm in the Air: Chinese Style, Hong Kong Flair” taking center stage alongside sister events in Tsing Yi Park and Tsim Sha Tsui’s Cultural Centre Plaza.
The Causeway Bay spectacle is anchored by a towering 12-meter lantern display, a fusion of traditional Chinese attire – the Tang suit and qipao. Leo Tang, the mastermind behind this colossal creation, shared that the design process spanned three months, with safety considerations paramount due to the unprecedented scale of the installation in Victoria Park.
“I wanted to capture the essence of Hong Kong, so I incorporated local cuisine into the design,” Tang explained, pointing out a char-siu rice lantern set against a backdrop of street-food stalls, a nod to the city’s culinary heritage.
Equally impressive is the “Phoenix Dancing with the Full Moon to Celebrate the National Day” lantern, crafted by veteran paper artisan Hui Ka-hung. Hui recounted the last-minute technical challenges, saying, “Just two days ago, we were unsure if the installation would spin and light up. We’re elated to have overcome these hurdles.”
Chris Chan, Community Programmes Manager at the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, highlighted another must-see attraction: “The Tree of Budding Creativity.” This 7.5-meter tall installation showcases 750 lanterns created by local primary and secondary school students, embodying their interpretations of National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations.
In a nod to tradition, the iconic Tai Hang Fire Dragon will make a special appearance at Victoria Park on Mid-Autumn Festival night, Tuesday, at 10:30 p.m. The park’s lanterns will remain aglow until midnight, offering a mesmerizing finale to the festivities.
