Home Community Events Lanterns, Rabbits, and Mooncakes Light Up Hong Kong Sky for Mid-Autumn Festival

Lanterns, Rabbits, and Mooncakes Light Up Hong Kong Sky for Mid-Autumn Festival

Lanterns, Rabbits, and Mooncakes Light Up Hong Kong Sky for Mid-Autumn Festival
Photo: RTHK

A thousand drones resembling rabbits, lanterns and mooncakes illuminated the night sky over Victoria Harbour on Tuesday, captivating thousands of spectators who gathered to celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival.

The 10-minute aerial display, organized by the Hong Kong Tourism Board, transformed the iconic harbor into a dazzling canvas of light and color. Tourists from around the world marveled at the intricate formations, which included a fire-breathing dragon soaring over the water.

“I’ve never seen a drone show before, and it was really cute,” said Victoria, a visitor from Germany. “It was a special occasion and it was really nice being here.”

The annual Mid-Autumn Festival is a major cultural holiday in Hong Kong, celebrating the harvest moon with traditional foods and lanterns. This year’s drone performance brought a modern, high-tech twist to the centuries-old celebrations.

“[My favorite] was the dragon part,” said Chris, a tourist from Switzerland. “I liked how the dragon was hunting the ball. Looked amazing. I think a lot of work went into it to make that happen.”

Despite the intense heat, spectators packed the Wan Chai Harbourfront to witness the spectacle. Many expressed amazement at the technical prowess on display, with one exchange student from Norway declaring the dragon display the “coolest” part of the show.

As the drones soared overhead, illuminating the night sky with their festive shapes, the crowd burst into applause, captivated by this innovative fusion of tradition and technology.