The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) will organise the second edition of the Chinese Culture Festival (CCF) from June to September. The Festival brings a rich and colourful array of programmes, including finely selected Chinese operas from the LCSD’s signature programme ‘Chinese Opera Festival’ and outstanding local works recognised by the China National Arts Fund. Various local arts and cultural organisations will join hands to contribute a variety of first-rate programmes for the Festival, including music, dance, multi-arts, drama, films, exhibitions, lectures, artist talks and master classes. Check out the followings to learn more!Opening Programme - Dongpo: Life in PoemsThe CCF is now in its second edition. The opening programme, "Dongpo: Life in Poems" by the China Oriental Performing Arts Group, is directed by internationally acclaimed choreographer and visual artist Shen Wei. Inspired by the poetry and life of the literary giant Su Dongpo, Dongpo: Life in Poems integrates music, dance, poetry, and painting into a captivating show. Su Dongpo’s calligraphy and poetry are both powerful and graceful, brimming with emotions and artistic style. Blending contemporary dance with various traditional Chinese culture elements such as poetry, traditional Chinese painting, calligraphy, seal engraving, guqin, Chinese opera, and martial arts, this programme brings Su Dongpo’s ancient verses to life on stage, crafting an immersive journey where ‘poetry embodies dance and dance incorporates poetry’.Chinese Opera FestivalAs a core part of the CCF, this year's Chinese Opera Festival (COF) features six quality programmes covering Peking opera, Yuediao opera, Qinqiang opera, Yue opera, Cantonese opera and Kunqu opera. The COF will start off with the China National Peking Opera Company's new historical Peking opera, "Cession for Consolidation of the Song Regime". Set during the late Five Dynasties and Ten-Kingdoms period, it tells the story of Qian Chu, the King of Wuyue, honouring the rightful rule of the Song reign by voluntarily submitting his territory. The production conveys the profound themes of valuing people, pursuing peace and stability, and strengthening the communal spirit of Chinese national identity. Furthermore, there will be fantastic shows from a number of renowned art groups and artists, including the Henan Provincial Yue Diao Art Protection and Inheritance Center, the Xi'an Performing Arts Group's Youth Experimental Troupe of Qinqiang Opera, the Xiaobaihua Yue Opera Troupe of Shaoxing and the Zhejiang Jingkun Art Center (Kun Opera Troupe). The performances will feature winners of the China Theatre Plum Blossom Award such as renowned Peking opera artists Yu Kuizhi and Li Shengsu, Yuediao opera inheritor Shen Xiaomei, Qinqiang artists Dou Fengqin, Tan Jianxun, Qu Qiaozhe, Wang Xincang, Qi Aiyun and Zhang Tao, as well as acclaimed Yue opera performers Wu Fenghua, Wu Suying and Chen Fei. "Tea Culture" SeriesThis year's CCF features a "Tea Culture" series, with the "Tan Dun WE-Festival", curated by Hong Kong's Ambassador for Cultural Promotion, internationally renowned composer and conductor, Tan Dun, as one of the pre-festival programmes. In addition to the Tan Dun | "Tea: A Mirror of Soul" by the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, there are also performances of dialogues between traditional and modern percussion, as well as ancient Dunhuang music and dances, which include "Xiangxi Tujia Women's Daliuzi & Hong Kong Women’s Percussion Ensemble" (the world premiere of "TEA-liuzi") and "Lost Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Manuscripts: 'The Vanishing Mogao Caves'". These performances enable music lovers to appreciate the charm of tea, while telling the good story of China's intangible cultural heritage in the new era. The "Tea Culture" series also includes other stage performance, exhibitions, talks and demonstrations.Free Exhibitions and ActivitiesTo offer the public with more opportunities to enjoy distinctive Chinese cultural programmes, in addition to the above-mentioned performing arts events, this year's CCF will continue to launch various free exhibitions and activities. They include the "Mystery of Chinese Writing" Roving Exhibition, "Genesis and Spirit - Intangible Cultural Heritage Exhibition on Jiangxi's Ganzhou "Hakka" Culture" (tentative title), "Amazing Oracle Bone Script" Exhibition, "The Power of Chinese Characters" Exhibition, "Tea Culture" series' "The History and Art of Tea" Exhibition, and more. The LCSD will hold the "Encountering Chinese Culture" Carnival presenting stage performances at the Sha Tin Town Hall and the New Town Plaza on June 22 (Sunday), as well as the library-on-wheels, intangible cultural heritage booths and performances, etc. In addition to the spectacular lantern displays of different themes, the Mid-Autumn Lantern Carnival 2025 to be held in September and October will also arrange a wide range of activities. Details of the above activities will be announced later.
Chinese Culture Festival 2025Date: June to September 2025Programme Details: Programme Brochure / ProgrammeTicketing: Tickets are available at URBTIX and the Xiqu Centre Ticket Office (Unless otherwise specified for individual programmes)Thematic Website: https://www.ccf.gov.hk/en/

Popular culture is an indispensable part of life that often stimulates vitality and creativity. Hong Kong’s pop culture has been getting its inspirations particularly from humour, a constant trend-setter which has left a deep footprint on many aspects of the city’s rich and colourful pop cultural landscape. From comedy movies and songs to novels, comics and stand-up comedies, everything can be infused with a sense of humour. Whether it is a chunk of lyrics, a sentence from a dialogue or a scene, if it is linked to humour, it can transcend barriers and become a universal language that enables everyone to feel the charm of culture through laughter.This emotional connection is not only an experience of entertainment but also an expression of cultural identity and social diversity. To delve into this cultural phenomenon, the “Hong Kong Pop Culture Festival 2025” (Festival) will centre around the theme of “More Than Joy”. By digging out the classics of Hong Kong’s master comedians, and discovering the elements of hilarity in music, images and text, the Festival offers the audience not only joy and laughter, but also an opportunity to appreciate how pop culture can be transmitted and transformed, and how integration and breakthroughs are possible.
The third Festival, scheduled to open in April, features a diverse range of programmes including stage performances, film screenings, thematic exhibitions and outreach activities. These programmes will not only delight the audience with exciting performances and works, but will also offer an insight into the paths of development of Hong Kong’s pop culture along the line of “happiness”. By participating in these activities, the audience can feel a unique cultural vibe, discover things that resonate with them, and reflect on the humour in life while savouring it.In pop culture, laughter serves as a bridge in interpersonal relationships and allows people to find moments of relaxation and pleasure in their busy lives. Whether it is a little smile, a hearty laugh or a knowing smile, those who love Hong Kong’s pop culture will be able to discover their own happiness at the Festival.>>Visit the thematic page of the Hong Kong Pop Culture Festival to learn more!

Co-presented by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People's Republic of China, the People's Government of Guangdong Province, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSAR) and the Macao Special Administrative Region Government, the Festival will be hosted by HKSAR for its first time and organised by Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and Leisure and Cultural Services Department.The 4th “Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Culture and Arts Festival” (the Festival) will be held from 19 October to 24 November 2024. Echoing the theme of “Integration in Diversity – Power and Possibilities”, over 260 fascinating programmes will be staged in “9+2” cities within the Greater Bay Area (GBA), including performing arts performances, museum exhibitions, library activities, film screenings, and much more. Artists from Hong Kong and other GBA cities will also collaborate in some of the spectacular programmes, fostering the exchange of creativity and talents and showcasing the vibrancy and diversity of the cultured bay area.Presented byThe Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People's Republic of ChinaThe Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative RegionThe People's Government of Guangdong ProvinceThe Government of the Macao Special Administrative RegionSupported byPublicity Department of the Guangdong Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of ChinaDepartment of Publicity, Cultural and Sports Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSARDepartment of Publicity and Culture of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SARIn association withCulture, Sports and Tourism Bureau of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative RegionLeisure and Cultural Services Department of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative RegionThe Department of Culture and Tourism of Guangdong ProvinceCultural Affairs Bureau of the Government of the Macao Special Administrative RegionFor more details of the Festival, please visit the website of "The 4th Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Culture And Arts Festival".(This video is in Chinese only.)

Apart from Easter or Spring time, what would you think of when it comes to "March"? In fact, many international and local arts and cultural events converged in the city in every March. This year, for the first time, the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau (CSTB) launches "Art March" as a brand to promote multiple events organised, funded, or supported by the Government. It is hoped that the events help focus on the efforts of the arts and cultural industries, and strengthen the atmosphere of cultural and arts, which help create an unforgettable experience and impression for both Hong Kong citizens and visitors by enjoying the artistic vibe of Hong Kong during March every year! The extensive coverage of activities in "Art March 2024" ranges from arts and culture, pop, fashion, as well as TV and film. Various happenings including art exhibitions, film events, a cultural summit and a fashion show welcome all walks of life to join. Apart from the popular arts and cultural events and performances in the past, the new event brands which are to be held in Hong Kong for the first time will make the city's vibrant cultural landscape more attractive. Let's take a look at some of the events below and get ready for the "Art March" together!  Arts and Cultural Events  1.  Hong Kong Flower Show 2024The Hong Kong Flower Show is an annual highlight of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), which attracted more than 200 horticultural organisations from local, the Mainland and overseas each year. This year, the show is held at Victoria Park with the theme “Floral Joy Around Town”, featuring the colourful Angelonia as the theme flower. During the show period, a rich diversity of educational and recreational activities will be organised for the visitors, including student drawing competition, photo competition, plant exhibit competition, music and cultural performances, floral art demonstrations, workshops on greening activities, guided visits, recreational programmes, as well as parent-child fun games, etc.>>Click here to know more  2.  A Path to Glory – Jin Yong’s Centennial Memorial, Sculpted by Ren ZheTo commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Dr Louis Cha (Jin Yong), Hong Kong Heritage Museum proudly presents the exhibition "A Path to Glory – Jin Yong’s Centennial Memorial, Sculpted by Ren Zhe". In The Giant Eagle and its Companion, Guo Jing spoke of the imperative of a true hero along the lines of ‘A true hero is to serve the country and the people’. This is the chivalrous deed passed to Yang Guo, which paved his path to glory in the novel. Between 1955 and 1972, under the pen name Jin Yong, Dr Louis Cha wrote 15 novels populated by over 1,400 characters that have become part of the collective memories of Hong Kong and Chinese people all over the world. In this exhibition, renowned sculptor Ren Zhe brings 22 of Jin Yong’s characters to life in unique representations infused with visionary creativity, set alongside captivating multimedia installations created by media artist Victor Wong (winner of the Best Visual Effects of the Hong Kong Film Awards) and his team.>>Click here to know more  3.  Art@Harbour 2024LCSD will join hands with the international art collective teamLab, Hong Kong artists, the First Initiative Foundation (FIF), K11 Group and Sino Group to present a large-scale outdoor art project, the "Art@Harbour 2024", on both sides of Victoria Harbour from 25 March to 2 June. Multiple outdoor art installations and digital art façades featuring the integration of art, science, and technology will bring the public a new inspirational and sensory experience at Victoria harbourfront.>>Click here to know more For the full list of events, please refer to CSTB's website.   Promotions and Offers To encourage citizens and tourists to participate in and enjoy the feast of arts and culture, the CSTB will arrange free ice cream distribution, tram rides and Star Ferry rides at different times in March to promote "Art March" and its programmes. Details will be announced in stages in March, please refer to CSTB's website for more details!  

West Kowloon’s stand-out architecture and location on Victoria Harbour makes it the perfect place to get some great instagrammable photos. There is plenty to see, so go ahead, take the perfect photo and share it with the world! Xiqu CentreBy blending traditional and contemporary elements, the Xiqu Centre's award-winning architectural design reflects the evolving nature of Chinese opera. The Xiqu Centre facade, made up of over 10,000 curved metal fins, is a perfect background from every angle. Inside, the Xiqu Centre atrium provides a hugely popular backdrop for photos. Whether looking up from the ground level at the stunning roof or looking down from one of the balconies at the podium and steps, every angle provides an Instagram-worthy opportunity that will be guaranteed to get plenty of 'likes'.Art ParkWant to catch the most glorious Hong Kong sunset? The Art Park is one of the city’s premier spots to view the spectacular colours of the magic hour as the sun sets over Victoria Harbour. It’s a view that never gets old, and every sunset reveals something new.The Competition Pavilion “Growing Up”Located on the West Kowloon waterfront promenade, the Competition Pavilion “Growing Up” is one of the most Instagrammable spots in our city. Its symmetrical design, timber columns, and stepped seating area provide the perfect backdrop for stylish pictures.Share your photos by tagging @westkowloon.(The photos and the text are provided by West Kowloon Cultural District)