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National Day 2026 In Hong Kong: Family-Friendly Events & Exclusive Offers on October 1
Half-Price Movie Tickets, Free Museum Admissions & More!
2026 Oct 01
This year, Hong Kong is gearing up for a grand celebration of the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China on Thursday, October 1, 2026. Families can look forward to a wide array of activities designed to foster community spirit, including half-price movie tickets, free admission to museums (including family favourites like the Science Museum and Space Museum), free tram and ferry rides, and a spectacular 23-minute fireworks display over Victoria Harbour. Streets across the city are already decked out in flags, banners and lighting displays. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect, including special events, transport offers, and cultural experiences perfect for families.
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Exciting Cultural Events
Family-Friendly Activities And Offers For National Day- Flag-Raising Ceremony: Kick off National Day on October 1 with the ceremonial flag-raising in the morning. New this year, Kai Tak Sports Park hosts its own public ceremony with a designated viewing zone at Central Square, followed by festivities across the precinct. Friends of KTSP members can also scan QR codes around Kai Tak Mall from October 1-7 to redeem a HK$70 e-voucher (limited, first come, first served).
- Fireworks Display: The headline event. Themed "Eternal Radiance: Fireworks in Bloom, Illuminating our Country", 31,888 shells will light up Victoria Harbour at 8pm on October 1 in a 23-minute show told across eight scenes. Kids will love Scene 2, "You are the Sunshine of my Life" (gold and red sunflower rings, debuting this year), Scene 4, "Dreams in the Starry Galaxy" (colour-changing shells and swimming stars), and the smiley faces in Scene 7. Tune into RTHK Radio 4 (FM 97.6–98.9) for the synchronised soundtrack. Best free viewing: Tsim Sha Tsui, Central, Wan Chai, Causeway Bay, Hung Hom and the newer East Coast Park Precinct in Fortress Hill. Around 260,000 spectators are expected, so arrive early and bring ear defenders for little ones. Note that the Hong Kong Museum of Art and Space Museum close early at 5pm for crowd control. Click here for more details! Make an evening out of it and book dinner with harbour views here.
- National Day X Heritage Fun Day 2026 (October 1, 10am–7pm): Our top family pick. The Antiquities and Monuments Office takes over the Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre in Kowloon Park with parent-child concerts by the Greater Bay Area Philharmonic, Lo Pan Temple model-building and rammed-earth workshops, a monument badge workshop, "Aim the Tiles" game, face painting, balloon twisting, creative cookie workshops, magic shows and star-guided tours. Complete activities to collect stamps for limited-edition souvenirs—and anyone born on October 1 gets a free vacuum flask! Free entry.
- "Better Together - Partnering Up for Hong Kong Movies" (until October 4): Tai Kwun's exhibition recreates scenes and props from classic Hong Kong films, from Aces Go Places to Rob-B-Hood. Fun for movie-mad tweens and nostalgic parents.
- Signature Events: Local districts will host unique events reflecting their cultural characteristics, including themed carnivals and fun days-check the September, October and November tabs here or what's on near you.
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Public Transport Deals
Family-Friendly Activities And Offers For National Day- Free Rides: Enjoy free rides on all passenger tram routes plus selected Star Ferry and Fortune Ferry routes on October 1. Get on the ding-ding and check out our family-friendly neighbourhood guides to Shau Kei Wan, North Point, Happy Valley, and Kennedy Town.
- Free MTR Rides: MTR is giving away 77,000 free e-single-journey rides via a lucky draw for use on October 1.
- Children's Free Rides: Kids using designated payment methods can ride most daytime franchised routes of KMB, Long Win Bus, Citybus and New Lantao Bus for free!
- Fly For Less: Greater Bay Airlines is offering tickets on all non-charter routes at 77% of the original fare during the promotion period-handy for a half-term getaway.
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Cultural And Leisure Activities
Family-Friendly Activities And Offers For National Day- Free Admission Days: Families can visit fee-charging leisure facilities and museum exhibitions under the Leisure and Cultural Services Department at no cost on October 1, including the Science Museum, Space Museum and more, plus the Hong Kong Wetland Park (AFCD). Check out our guide to family-friendly museums. (Remember the Space Museum and Museum of Art close at 5pm.)
- Ocean Park: 15% off admission tickets for park entry from October 1 to 7, 2026.
- Ngong Ping 360: A special National Day Morning Round-trip Standard Discounted Ticket (book September 24–October 7 for use 9am–10:30am, October 1–7) comes with a free one-way upgrade to a Crystal Cabin-shorter queues and a glass-floor thrill for the kids. Ngong Ping 360 is also running a 50% off round-trip offer for local residents to mark the 77th anniversary; check their website for dates.
- Peak Tram & Madame Tussauds Hong Kong: Free souvenirs for ticket holders while stocks last.
- Hong Kong Jockey Club National Day Raceday: Free entry to the public enclosures at Sha Tin and Happy Valley Racecourses on October 1.
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Entertainment & Dining Deals
Family-Friendly Activities And Offers For National Day- Half-Price Movie Tickets: All 52 commercial cinemas citywide offer half-price tickets on October 1, subsidised by the government. Tickets went on sale September 28 and queues formed fast—book online now for a family-friendly flick.
- Restaurant Promotions: More than 2,000 restaurants and merchants (trade groups say up to 3,800 food outlets) are offering deals on October 1, including meal sets at up to 30% off, HK$10 crispy chicken and buy-one-get-one-free bun deals.
- Market Discounts: Food and Environmental Hygiene Department public markets are running special offers—look out for HK$7 vegetable packs and seven fish balls for HK$7 at participating stalls.
- Hong Kong Harvest: Designated local products at 77% of the original price in-store, online and via the app from October 1–7.
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