[Family-Friendly Destinations] Top 10 Family-Friendly Destinations in Hong Kong for the 2026 Mid-Autumn Festival

This year's Mid-Autumn Festival falls on September 25th (Friday). Following the weekend, many parents have already started asking: Where can I take my children to see the lanterns? Which activities are free? Which are suitable for younger children? We've compiled a list of 10 great family-friendly destinations in Hong Kong during the 2026 Mid-Autumn Festival, covering Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, and the New Territories. Eight are free, and two require a fee. Each list includes the date, time, location, and official website, making it easy for you to plan your trip according to your child's age and your area of ​​residence.

*The information is compiled based on information released by the organizer and media before September 15, 2026. The event may be adjusted due to weather and crowds. Please check the official website again before departure.

Overview: Quickly select by region and cost

1. Victoria Park "International Mid-Autumn Lantern Display" + Leisure and Cultural Services Department "Mid-Autumn Lantern Show"

免费 Hong Kong Island, Causeway Bay

This year, the Hong Kong Tourism Board is hosting its first-ever "International Mid-Autumn Lantern Festival," held concurrently with the Leisure and Cultural Services Department's traditional lantern festival at Victoria Park. The highlight is a giant banyan tree lantern, approximately 8 meters tall and crafted using the techniques of Nanjing Qinhuai lantern making. Other attractions include the "World Lantern Avenue," showcasing lanterns from 20 countries and regions, and the "Hong Kong Lantern Garden," featuring mainly locally handmade lanterns. From September 17th to 20th, there will also be charity stalls selling regional specialty mooncakes. Children can enjoy the lanterns while learning about how different countries celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival.

2. Fire Dragon Dance in Dakeng

免费 Tai Hang, Hong Kong Island

This is a national intangible cultural heritage with a history of over a hundred years. The 67-meter-long fire dragon, adorned with over ten thousand incense sticks, is performed by hundreds of dancers who weave through the streets and alleys of Tai Hang. This is the best opportunity for children to experience a "living tradition" firsthand: before setting off, you can tell them about the origin of the fire dragon—it is said that villagers danced it to drive away plagues. After watching, have the children draw the fire dragon for a more lasting impression.

3. Lee Tung Street's "Colorful Lanterns Welcoming the Moon" Mid-Autumn Festival light display and LED fire dragon.

免费 Hong Kong Island, Wan Chai

More than 800 lanterns combining traditional paper-cutting with modern designs are hung along the 200-meter-long Lee Tung Street, featuring patterns from classic stories such as Chang'e flying to the moon. On the evening of the Mid-Autumn Festival, an 18-meter-long LED lantern dragon will be paraded alongside lion dances and drum performances. Using LED lights instead of incense makes it easier for younger children to participate. A mini lantern DIY activity will also be available from September 19th to 20th (please refer to the official announcement for details and redemption conditions).

4. Hand-painted lanterns for the Mid-Autumn Festival at the Blue House complex in Wan Chai.

免费 Hong Kong Island, Wan Chai

More than 700 lanterns, hand-painted by about 50 local illustrators and residents, adorn the old streets of the tenement buildings, depicting themes including mythology and scenes of family reunion. A charity craft market will also be held in the Blue House courtyard from September 24th to 26th. Admiring the pictures on each lantern with your children and guessing which story they depict is a great way to practice "picture storytelling."

5. Mid-Autumn Festival Lights at the Open-air Plaza of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre

免费 Kowloon, Tsim Sha Tsui

This year's light installation features a group of "moon rabbits" as the main characters, along with miniature scenes of landmarks from various districts of Hong Kong, and includes several photo spots. Designed by the local creative team STICKYLINE, the venue overlooks Victoria Harbour, allowing visitors to stroll along the waterfront and enjoy the moonlight after viewing the light installation. An inclusive performance will also be held in the lobby of the Cultural Centre on September 27th.

6. Hong Kong Space Museum (Learn about the moon before moon viewing)

Fees (low fees) Kowloon, Tsim Sha Tsui

The moon is the most natural scientific topic for the Mid-Autumn Festival. Take your children to the Space Museum's Universe and Space Exploration Exhibition Hall to learn about the moon and space exploration. In the evening, visit the Cultural Center to see the lights and enjoy the moon by the sea, combining traditional stories with scientific knowledge in one day. More than half of the exhibits in the exhibition hall are interactive installations, suitable for elementary school students to play with.

7. Jao Tsung-I Cultural Center LIFE MART Mid-Autumn Handmade Market

免费 Lai Chi Kok, Kowloon

Approximately 140 local handicraft and creative stalls are scattered throughout the indoor and outdoor spaces of the cultural center, along with lantern displays. The Jao Tsung-I Cultural Center, formerly Lai Chi Kok Hospital, is built into a hillside and boasts spacious grounds, allowing children to leisurely stroll among the historic buildings. Setting aside a small amount of pocket money for children to choose a handmade gift for their family is a great way to practice financial management and thoughtfulness.

8. The 10th Sha Tin Festival "Shining River Lights and Shadows" and Youth Market

免费 New Territories, Sha Tin

Co-organized by the Sha Tin Home Affairs Department, the Sha Tin District Council, and the Sha Tin Festival Organizing Committee, the opening night will feature a fireworks and light show over the Shing Mun River. A youth creative market will also be held at Sha Tin Park, where customers can redeem limited-edition Sha Tin Festival souvenirs with their purchases. The event takes place on the weekend before Mid-Autumn Festival, in the evening, making it suitable for families living in the New Territories East who don't want to return home too late.

9. Gold Coast Mall "Pig" Mid-Autumn Festival Market

免费 New Territories, Tuen Mun

Featuring a pig character designed by local illustrator SandyPig, the lantern market boasts a 1.8-meter-tall inflatable pig lantern and a lantern corridor composed of over 100 traditional lanterns, set up along the coast. Participants during the Mid-Autumn Festival market will have the chance to receive a pig lantern (limited quantity, first come, first served). The beach is right next to the mall, so you can bring your children to the seaside to watch the moon rise in the evening.

10. DX Design Museum "Traditional Goldfish Lantern Workshop"

toll Sham Shui Po, Kowloon

Organized by the Hong Kong Design Centre, and led by fashion designer and bamboo craftsman Wan Wong, participants will create a classic Cantonese goldfish lantern by hand, using bamboo strips to build a frame and paste paper. Instead of buying a plastic lantern, why not spend an afternoon with your children making a traditional handmade lantern that will last for many years?

6 Tips for Taking Kids to Enjoy Lanterns During Mid-Autumn Festival

Summary

The Mid-Autumn Festival is about family reunion, and a good place doesn't necessarily have to cost money. For younger children, more peaceful venues like Lee Tung Street, Gold Coast, and the Cultural Centre are most suitable. For children in primary school, the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance, the Space Museum, and lantern workshops offer more cultural and scientific experiences. Wishing everyone a happy Mid-Autumn Festival!

After viewing the lanterns, have the children draw them.

Lanterns, the moon, and the jade rabbit are the easiest creative themes for children to draw upon. GASCA is currently holding two related competitions, which can be entered by uploading artwork from home.

source

• Leisure and Cultural Services Department Community Programming Office: Mid-Autumn Lantern Carnival 2026
• The Standard：HKTB to host first international lantern event this Mid-Autumn
• Tai Hang Fong Welfare Association
• Sing Tao Daily: Mid-Autumn Festival Lanterns Welcome the Moon on Lee Tung Street
• Metro.hk: Mid-Autumn Festival Moon Viewing Guide 2026
• Hong Kong Space Museum: Visitor Information and Facilities
• Playwhat: LIFE MART Mid-Autumn Handmade Market
• Jetso Today: Sha Tin Festival 2026
• Jetso Today: Gold Coast Mall "Pig" Full Moon Night
• Eventbrite: DX Design Museum Traditional Goldfish Lantern Workshop