HONG KONG – Banners are already up across Hong Kong; the city is buzzing: the National Day is almost here. The special administrative region has readied a full calendar of festivities, freebies and bargains for the run-up and the day.
The iconic National Day firework display — this year 23 minutes, 31,888 shells, eight scenes — will light up Victoria Harbour at 8 pm on Oct 1. Cinemas citywide sell that day’s tickets at half price. The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s National Day race meeting opens the public stands at Sha Tin and Happy Valley, free to all. Admission is free, too, at Hong Kong Wetland Park’s permanent exhibitions, Hong Kong Science Museum and Hong Kong Space Museum.
From mid-September through late October, 14 historic sites across the city will also offer assorted perks, including extra guided tours, free of charge.
One more night for HK’s fire dragon
Don’t miss it: the three-day Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance, Hong Kong’s most iconic Mid-Autumn tradition, takes its final bow on Saturday, from 7 to 10 pm. Then it’ll be gone, only to return next year.
Over 300 performers will guide a 67-metre dragon through Tai Hang, on Hong Kong Island, its body studded with 12,000 burning incense sticks. Children trail behind with a smaller LED dragon — a ritual meant to pray for peace and protection to the neighborhood.
Tai Hang’s Wun Sha Street offers the best view. For those who’d rather not jostle, the whole thing will be broadcast live, with coverage running from Victoria Park in Causeway Bay along Tung Lo Wan Road, across Causeway Bay and Tai Hang.
HK stock market, Southbound trading to close for holiday
Hong Kong stock market and Southbound Stock Connect will follow divergent trading schedules over the upcoming National Day holiday.
Based on the public holidays announced by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government, the Hong Kong stock market will be closed on Oct 1 for the National Day holiday and resume normal trading the following day.
In line with the Chinese mainland’s public holiday arrangements, trading under Southbound Stock Connect will not be available from Oct 1 to 7. Services will resume on Oct 8.
