The Chinese Culture Festival (CCF) 2026 officially opened on June 12 at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, launching a vast programme of over 280 performances and activities running from June through September, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government announced.
Presented by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the festival represents a flagship cultural initiative that showcases the depth and diversity of Chinese civilisation to both local residents and international visitors.
In a video speech delivered at the opening ceremony, Chief Executive Mr John Lee highlighted the strategic importance of the festival within the broader national framework. He noted that the National 15th Five-Year Plan calls for advancing the promotion of building a strong cultural nation and supporting Hong Kong in developing into an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange. The HKSAR Government has formulated the Blueprint for Arts and Culture and Creative Industries Development and established the Chinese Culture Promotion Office, dedicated to bringing culture into the community and enhancing public sense of national identity.
Mr Lee described the CCF as an annual flagship project that makes fine use of Hong Kong international network, allowing local citizens and overseas visitors alike to experience the historical spirit and contemporary flair of Chinese civilisation. He expressed confidence that the festival would become a cultural bridge connecting Hong Kong with the Chinese Mainland while reaching out to the world.
The opening ceremony was officiated by the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law; the Deputy Director-General of the Department of Publicity, Cultural and Sports Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People Government in the HKSAR, Mr Lin Nan; the Chairman of the Legislative Council Panel on Home Affairs, Culture and Sports, Mr Tang Ka-piu; and other distinguished guests.
The centrepiece of the opening night was the dance drama Lady White Snake, produced by the Shanghai Grand Theatre with internationally acclaimed ballet artist Tan YuanYuan serving as artistic director. The production assembled a distinguished creative team of top-tier artists from various disciplines alongside a stellar cast of lead dancers from both the Chinese Mainland and abroad, offering a modern reinterpretation of the millennial folk legend through a fusion of Eastern and Western choreographic languages.
The opening night performance by the Moon cast featuring lead dancers Ao Dingwen, Wu Husheng, Wang Nianci and Su Hailu, alongside dancers from the Shanghai Opera House Dance Ensemble, played to a full house at the Grand Theatre of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre.
In addition to stage performances, the CCF includes a diverse array of community engagement activities. A special Chinese Culture for All performance series was held, inviting over 500 primary and secondary school students, teachers, and community members to attend the open rehearsal of Lady White Snake free of charge. The creative team and lead cast participated in pre-performance talks and post-performance meet-the-artist sessions to share their insights and creative concepts.
The Chinese Culture Festival 2026 will continue through September, featuring a comprehensive programme ranging from traditional Chinese opera and music to contemporary dance, visual arts exhibitions, and outreach activities across various venues in Hong Kong.
Sources: [HKSAR Government]
