Six Traditional Mid-Autumn Activities in Hong Kong: From Wax Melting to Pomelo Lanterns
AM730 · 1 SOURCES1 day ago4 MIN
Summary
As the 2026 Mid-Autumn Festival approaches on September 25, with September 26 designated as a public holiday, Hong Kong families are reminiscing about traditional festival activities that have gradually disappeared. From making pomelo peel lanterns to the once-common practice of melting wax in mooncake tins, these customs reflect the evolving nature of celebrations in Hong Kong. While some activities have been outlawed due to safety hazards, others remain popular as eco-friendly family pastimes.
Key Points
- The 2026 Mid-Autumn Festival falls on September 25, with September 26 as a public holiday
- Wax melting (煲蠟), once popular among youths in the 1990s using mooncake tins and candles, is now illegal due to fire and burn risks
- Releasing sky lanterns (孔明燈) is prohibited in country parks under the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, as they pose fire hazards
- Glow sticks (螢光棒) have declined in popularity due to environmental concerns about non-recyclable materials
- Pomelo peel lanterns (碌柚燈籠) remain an eco-friendly family activity, preserving the fruit's shape after eating the flesh
- Paper lantern arrays (紙燈籠陣) were traditionally hung in the skywells of twin-tower public housing estates, though this custom is now rare
Why It Matters
These traditional activities highlight how Hong Kong's Mid-Autumn Festival has evolved from community-based celebrations to more individual or family-oriented observances. The shift from hazardous practices like wax melting to eco-friendly alternatives like pomelo lanterns reflects broader societal changes in safety awareness and environmental consciousness among Hong Kong residents .
These traditional activities highlight how Hong Kong's Mid-Autumn Festival has evolved from community-based celebrations to more individual or family-oriented observances. The shift from hazardous practices like wax melting to eco-friendly alternatives like pomelo lanterns reflects broader societal changes in safety awareness and environmental consciousness among Hong Kong residents .