Victoria Park is where the party’s at, writes Andrea Yu

Victoria Park Wed 30-Sun 4, 7pm-midnight
 

Victoria Park map index

A: Giant lantern. Every year there’s a huge lantern, and this year it’s themed on the 60th Anniversary of China. It will be hexangonal, with an 18-metre diameter and eight-metre arches hanging over each side. With a total stretch of 26 metres, that good-luck walk around the lantern will be long.

B: Chinese ethnic performances.
Traditional acrobatics, songs and dances from Mainland groups.

C: Cantonese opera. The Kim Sum Cantonese Opera Association will sing songs in traditional opera costume.

D: Precious puppet play. A shadow play with Chinese puppets with various tales, including the legend of Houyi and his wife Chang’e, who took one too many immortal pills and flew to the moon.

E: Lantern riddle quiz. Lantern riddles are for lovers to impress each other, and for intellectuals to match wits. Chinese lantern riddles are wordplay, so work on your classic text references.

F: Fortune-telling stalls. Feng Shui
master and astrology expert Lee Ying-choi reads your palm, birthday and face to tell you what’s to come and how it can be better.

G: Games stalls. Nostalgic Chinese festival games with prizes for kids.

Activities for those who don’t want to brave the crowds

Full moon gazing
The moon will be closest to Earth this lunar year two nights before the festival. Go to your nearest rooftop or roadside park to witness the night when the moon appears biggest and brightest.

Tai Hang fire dragon
Witness a 67-metre-long dragon stuffed with straw and lit with traditional Chinese stick incense wind its way down Lily St, Ormsby St, and Tung Lo Wan Rd in a spectacular display to commemorate Hakka villagers who were saved after the first fire dragon drove away a huge python that entered Tai Hang village in 1880. Tai Hang Village, Fri 2-Sun 5, 8.15pm; free.
Night-time beach party, Repulse Bay
Crack open the glow-sticks and head to Repulse Bay for a chilled-out Mid Autumn fest on the beach after dark. Repulse Bay, Sat 3, after sunset; free.
 
Mooncake-making class
Learn how to make mooncakes – the traditional dessert eaten to celebrate the Mid Autumn Festival – as well as other Chinese desserts from top chefs at Wing Wah Cake Shop. Sneak in your own messages inside the cake for a personal touch.  HKTB Visitor Centre, Sundays throughout the year, noon-1.15 pm and 3pm-4.15 pm; free with tourist visa, www.discoverhongkong.com.