Winter in Hong Kong has its own pace – harbour air turning crisp, the city lights feeling a little sharper, and everyone looking for somewhere to unwind. That place reopens at Central Harbourfront: The AIA Carnival, back for its 11th edition with a new theme – ‘Hong Kong Tradition.’
This year’s Carnival doubles down on what people come for: the energy of a crowd, the warmth of something familiar, and the simple pleasure of being out in the city together. It’s bright, high-spirited fun – the kind you can just sink into.
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More Meaningful Than Ever
This year, the Carnival is backing the fun with tangible community support: 50,000+ tickets are being donated to charities and community groups, and a new Toy Donation Programme invites guests to pass on plush toys won at game booths to children and families in need.
It’s also the longest edition yet, running for 70 days, and the Carnival says all ticket admission revenue from the first two days will go to charity organisations supporting those affected by the Tai Po fire incident. Alongside that, AIA Community Day, plus invitations to participants of the AIA Healthiest Schools Programme and AIA Scholarships recipients, underline the event’s community focus outside the rides and games.
The message is clear: the Carnival wants to be a place for joy, but also a way to give back.
Where The Carnival Comes Alive
After its community initiatives, the Carnival returns to the other reason people come back every winter: a day at the Harbourfront with plenty to do, at whatever pace suits you. This year’s rides and games selection is especially broad, with 53 attractions in total, including major new additions making their Hong Kong debut alongside long-running staples.
A couple of the biggest draws are hard to miss. Big Ben Tower, billed as the world’s tallest mobile swing ride, lifts you up to 80 metres for wide-open views across the city. Then there’s the Pirate Ship – a classic that still delivers that unmistakable stomach-drop rush, with a touch of childhood thrill in the mix.
For families – or anyone easing into the bigger rides – gentler options like Jumbo Flying Elephants and the Train Ride keep the pace light, with plenty of small, happy moments along the way.
For The Competitive (And The Curious)
Once you’ve warmed up on the rides, the game booths pull you in with their own kind of pull. There’s a special kind of joy that only exists at a carnival game booth – that split-second optimism, the near-miss heartbreak, and the satisfying stroll away with a prize that’s larger than you expected.
This year brings 27 game booths with exclusive plush toys and themed collectibles, including new prizes tied to ‘Zootopia 2’, classic Disney characters, sports-themed toys, and food-inspired plushies. New competitive challenges like Monster Munch and Sharp Shooter join the classics – Ring Toss, Lobster Pot, and Hook A Duck – turning the game area into a buzzy corner of the Carnival.
A 60-Minute Circus Showcase
If you want a break from the constant movement, this is the part where you sit down and let the show do the rest. Every great winter event needs a main draw – the moment you take a seat and let the show do the rest.
Enter Winter World Circus, presented by UK-based Gandeys Circus (with over 40 years on the road), arriving with a new seasonal theme and a 60-minute showcase of international performers from Argentina, Portugal, Colombia, and more. You’ll see high-speed roller-skating spins, springboard flips, aerial stunts, the steel-globe intensity of the Motocross Sphere, and a generous dose of family-friendly comedy.
Come Hungry: The F&B Village
Between rides, games, and shows, the snack stops become part of the itinerary. The Carnival’s F&B Village brings together 17 booths, mixing familiar local favourites with global comfort food – ideal for grazing between rides.
On the sweet side, Man Fung Dumplings (est. 1953) is debuting an exclusive Mochi Waffle and Gelato Wrap, while Cookie DPT does customisable cookies that work as gifts or a keep-for-yourself treat. Snack Baby, the official ice cream partner, serves artisanal gelato in creative, locally sourced flavours. For savoury cravings, there’s Sonny’s Pizza, smashed burgers from Bunz, Xiao Tai Pei pepper buns and crispy fried chicken – plus plenty of street-snack classics you’ll likely end up ordering twice.
Mini Experiences You Can Step Into
And it’s not just rides and food this year. The Carnival’s brand activations come with real atmosphere – more like little scenes you wander into than booths you glance at.
The Blue Girl Dai Pai Dong returns as a throwback corner with DJ sets, Canto-pop disco vibes, and live acts, framed by dai pai dong-style backdrops. There’s draught beer on tap (including Blue Girl Light, zero-sugar and low-calorie), plus limited-edition collectibles that are hard to resist.
Elsewhere, adidas x Dorophy Tang has a creative pop-up where visitors can design customised T-shirts, alongside exclusive panda art installations created for the season. A TVB immersive photo zone also invites guests into recognisable sets inspired by shows like ‘The Queen of News,’ the ‘Super Trio’ series, and ‘Midlife, Sing & Shine!’ – a fun, built-in photo moment for families and friend groups.
The Community Arena In Constant Motion
If the Carnival has a gathering point, it’s here. Set near the centre of the grounds, the Henderson Land Community Arena (presented by Henderson Land Group in collaboration with the Lee Shau Kee Foundation) keeps things flowing with culture-led programming across art, music, sports, wellness, and community moments.
With more than 400 professional and local community groups taking part, there’s almost always something happening as you pass through – from Friday Night Live sets spotlighting local talent to guest appearances (including Hong Kong fencing history-maker Lau Kwok Kin), the Carnival’s first-ever Zumbathon led by 15 partners, and hands-on workshops like neon sign making and Chinese rainbow calligraphy.
A Sensory-Friendly Space On Site
It’s also been designed with different needs in mind. ‘A Bus’ returns this year in a refreshed set-up: Hong Kong’s first sensory-inclusive bus, presented by inclusive arts group Q Plus A Art Foundation (Q+A). Created with the neurodiverse community in mind, it offers a low-stimulation space for noise reduction, regulation, and a breather – a place to pause inside a high-energy environment.
It’s a reminder that strong public events aren’t measured only by scale; they’re measured by how well they make room for everyone.
Ticket Perks Worth Booking Ahead
If you’re planning ahead, there are real advantages to booking online. Advance online tickets start from HKD$140 (adults) and HKD$95 (children) on off-peak days, with savings of up to HKD$20 compared to gate prices. Online purchasers can also enjoy 10% off token bundles and faster entry via the advance ticket queue.
This year’s AIA Carnival comes with the familiar winter rush – but also a clearer intention: to lift the city’s mood, gather people in one place, and turn a seasonal tradition into something that feels newly alive.
Catherine Pun
A Hong Kong native with Filipino-Chinese roots, Catherine infuses every part of her life with zest, whether she’s belting out karaoke tunes or exploring off-the-beaten-path destinations. Her downtime often includes unwinding with Netflix and indulging in a 10-step skincare routine. As the Editorial Director of Friday Club., Catherine brings her wealth of experience from major publishing houses, where she refined her craft and even authored a book. Her sharp editorial insight makes her a dynamic force, always on the lookout for the next compelling narrative.
