Journeys Within Travel Blog

Hong Kong’s iconic AIA Carnival is set to illuminate the Central Harbourfront this winter, offering a rich blend of thrilling entertainment and local cultural celebration from December 22, 2025, through March 1, 2026. Spanning Christmas, New Year’s, and the Lunar New Year holidays, the 11th edition of this staple winter event promises carnival games, high-octane rides, and an elevated experience that pays homage to the city’s heritage, while introducing new operational efficiencies for fairgoers.

The event, a beloved fixture on Hong Kong’s social calendar, actively integrates elements celebrating local artistry and landmarks. Visitors can expect performances by homegrown talent and photography opportunities featuring beloved cityscapes and neighborhoods. This focus ensures the carnival remains a distinctly local experience, complementing the international scale of its attractions.

Enhancements for the 2025-2026 Season

Organizers are implementing two significant changes designed to improve accessibility and convenience. Recognising the demand for flexible pricing, a new tiered ride pricing system will offer reduced rates on designated off-peak dates, encouraging attendance outside of peak weekends and holidays. Furthermore, a new digital token system will streamline the purchasing experience. This innovation allows attendees to secure and replenish their token cards securely via a digital wallet, minimizing wait times between attractions.

The entertainment roster features over 30 attractions designed to challenge and delight, tempting visitors with limited-edition prizes. A prime highlight this year is the introduction of Gandeys Circus’ all-new feature presentation, “The Winter World Circus.” This fresh, frosty production adds a unique, seasonal theme to Gandeys’ renowned acrobatic displays and choreographed routines, promising a spectacular theatrical experience.

Savoring the Local Flavors

Amid the excitement, the carnival provides ample culinary respite, once again partnering with Blue Girl to reintroduce the popular Blue Girl Dai Pai Dong. This food stall offers festivalgoers an authentic taste of Hong Kong street food, allowing them to enjoy traditional dai pai dong dishes paired with refreshing Blue Girl draft beer in a convivial atmosphere.

Beyond a core focus on entertainment, fair organizers are engaging with the public ahead of the launch. Enticing promotions include a hunt for carnival entertainers across the city, offering chances to win complimentary tickets and tokens. An ongoing creative competition, sponsored by official airline partner Etihad Airways, offers a grand prize of one million Etihad Guest Miles, potentially redeemable for group business class travel between Hong Kong and Abu Dhabi. Details for this generous giveaway are available on the official carnival website.

The AIA Carnival opens its doors at Central Harbourfront on December 22, 2025, with ticket prices starting at $140 per person. As a major seasonal anchor for tourism and local leisure, the carnival continues to solidify its role as a premier winter destination, blending the thrills of a traditional fair with a deep appreciation for Hong Kong’s culture and heritage. The introduction of digital and flexible pricing strategies sets a positive precedent for managing large-scale seasonal events in the city.

Hong Kong’s signature winter attraction, the AIA Carnival, is set to return to the Central Harbourfront this December, offering three months of festive entertainment, exhilarating rides, and cultural celebration. Beginning December 22, 2025, and running until March 1, 2026, the 11th edition of the carnival will span Christmas, New Year’s, and Lunar New Year holidays, prominently featuring both international draws and tributes to local Hong Kong heritage, alongside new operational improvements designed to enhance the visitor experience.

The annual event, a fixture in Hong Kong’s holiday calendar, is integrating a strong focus on local culture this year. Visitors can expect performances by homegrown talent, specialized local cuisine options, and unique photo opportunities inspired by the city’s most recognizable landmarks and vibrant neighborhoods. This cultural emphasis is woven into the familiar framework of classic carnival attractions, including over 30 games offering limited-edition prizes and a host of gravity-defying rides.

Innovations and Entertainment Highlights

Organizers have introduced several operational enhancements aimed at improving accessibility and convenience for fairgoers. A major change is the implementation of flexible ride pricing, allowing for lower rates on selected off-peak days, offering an affordable option for weekday visits. Furthermore, a new digital token system will streamline the experience, enabling users to conveniently recharge their token cards via a secure digital wallet while on-site.

Beyond the thrills, the carnival boasts an extensive live entertainment line-up. A featured attraction is the debut of Gandeys Circus’ brand-new production, ‘The Winter World Circus.’ This dedicated winter-themed show promises to inject a “frozen flair” into Gandeys’ renowned acrobatic and choreographed routines, adding a sophisticated theatrical element to the festivities.

For those needing a break from the action, the carnival’s food and beverage area is a destination in itself. Back by popular demand is the Blue Girl Dai Pai Dong, created in partnership with Blue Girl beer. This dining area offers authentic dai pai dong street food dishes, allowing patrons to savor local flavors while enjoying a refreshing draught beer.

Pre-Show Excitement and Travel Incentives

Anticipation for the carnival is building, with various pre-opening activities encouraging public engagement. Leading up to the December launch, carnival entertainers will be roaming select public areas, offering passersby the chance to win complimentary tickets and tokens.

In a collaboration with official airline partner Etihad Airways, the carnival is hosting a creative contest offering a significant incentive: a grand prize of 1 million Etihad Guest Miles. This generous package is redeemable for group business class return travel between Hong Kong and Abu Dhabi, tying the local event to global travel opportunities. Details on how to participate are available on the AIA Carnival website.

The AIA Carnival will run from December 22, 2025, through March 1, 2026, at the Central Harbourfront. General admission tickets are priced at $140 per person. Serving as a major economic and cultural anchor during the winter months, the carnival offers residents and tourists alike a memorable way to celebrate the holiday season through thrilling entertainment and a palpable celebration of Hong Kong’s unique cultural identity.

HONG KONG – Amidst a fluctuating interest in film photography, local dessert specialist Luna Cake has collaborated with Panda Camera to debut a distinctive, technology-themed café in Causeway Bay. Situated in Hysan Place, the newly opened Luna Café merges the worlds of gourmet cheesecake and nostalgic analog imaging, offering consumers a unique themed dining experience that capitalizes on retro aesthetics and interactive food technology.

The partnership leverages Luna Cake’s highly regarded confectionary expertise and Panda Camera’s affinity for classic film equipment, creating a retail space designed to appeal to both dessert lovers and photography enthusiasts. Located on the fifth floor of Hysan Place, the café serves Luna’s signature cheesecakes, along with specialty beverages, seasonal desserts, and an array of limited-edition items.

Embracing Nostalgia with a Modern Twist

The interior design of Luna Café is a deliberate juxtaposition of past and future, blending retro camera elements with a sleek, metallic, space-travel aesthetic. A key visual anchor in the center of the venue is a massive, vintage-inspired Fujifilm camera replica, complete with black, green, and realistic flash accents—an ideal spot for customer photographs.

Beyond the decor, the café integrates imaging technology directly into its culinary offerings through a groundbreaking service: food printing. Patrons can select a treasured personal image to be digitally reproduced and printed onto either a slice of cheesecake or a specialty beverage, transforming the consumption experience into a personalized memory. Cheesecake slices are priced at HK$44, with whole six-inch cakes available for HK$378, while drinks start at HK$48.

Exclusive Offerings for Enthusiasts

To celebrate the launch, Luna Café is featuring several exclusive, time-sensitive promotions and products. For those passionate about photography, the collaboration offers a limited-edition film camera and a space-themed Polaroid photo album. These exclusive items are available for redemption upon spending HK$149 or more at the café.

The menu includes two specific drinks designed to capture the essence of Luna Cake’s brand, both available in strictly limited quantities daily:

• Creamy Cheesecake Milkshake: Only 100 cups are offered each day.
• Aromatic Hojicha Cheesecake Cloud Cream: Limited to 100 cups daily.

These specialty beverages are served on a first-come, first-served basis, signaling the exclusivity of the new venture. Furthermore, the café features rotating seasonal cheesecake flavors. The Sumiyaki Coffee Double Cheesecake is available until December 31, 2025, and will be followed by the Pistachio Double Cheesecake throughout January 2026.

The establishment of Luna Café at Shop 516-517, 5/F, Hysan Place, 500 Hennessy Road, Causeway Bay, marks the latest trend in experiential retail, where niche interests are fused with culinary concepts to enhance customer engagement and capitalize on the enduring appeal of analog culture. The venue successfully transforms dining into an immersive, theme-driven activity, illustrating how traditional brands can innovate through cross-industry partnerships.