Happy Hong Kong “Harbour Chill Carnival” Opens Today 90 Performance Groups Bring Exhilarating New Summer Experiences to Victoria Harbour for Five Weekends in a Row

Organised by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), the “Harbour Chill Carnival”, a Happy Hong Kong initiative, is launched today (July 8), bringing a series of free street performances, X-game shows and Music Shows in the Harbour along the Wan Chai harbourfront in the evenings of five consecutive weekends, offering the local public and visitors a chance to enjoy a fun-filled summer with a beautiful view of Victoria Harbour. The event debuted today (8 July) with free entertainment, and participants in the area enjoyed the activities against the scenic Victoria Harbour to chill out with fun along the summer coast. 

Mr Paul Chan, Financial Secretary (third from left), Mr Kevin Yeung, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism (third from right), Ms Alice Mak, Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs (second from left), Ms Vivian Sum, Commissioner for Tourism (second from right), Mr Vincent Ng, Chairman of the Harbourfront Commission (leftmost) and Mr Dane Cheng, HKTB Executive Director (rightmost), officiated the opening ceremony of the “Harbour Chill Carnival”. At the ceremony, Mr Paul Chan said, “‘The Harbour Chill Carnival’ will be held for five consecutive weekends. During this period, the "A Symphony of Lights" show will be enhanced. We hope that both residents and visitors can enjoy happy weekends, and more spectacular activities as the city has fully recovered. In particular, everyone can make the most of the consumption vouchers as the second round will be distributed next Sunday.  

Mr Dane Cheng, HKTB Executive Director said, “The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) is delighted to bring together popular culture, music and street performances from around the world in a single event through the ‘Harbour Chill Carnival’ to showcase the diverse and vibrant face of Hong Kong. This is the first time the HKTB hosted a large-scale land-and-sea carnival at the Wan Chai waterfront. The performers and participating groups hope to freshen up and the weekends with exciting entertainment and allow the public to enjoy the world-renowned night view of the Harbour and sea breeze while enriching visitors’ experience in Hong Kong.” 

Asian Diva Kelly Chen Kicks Off the Series of Events 

“Harbour Chill Carnival” boasts an extensive assortment of entertainment. Among the activities, only the Music Shows in the Harbour are ticketed. Staging against the scenic harbourview, the Music Shows present a rich feast of music. Tonight, local legend Kelly Chen fired up the five-week Music Show marathon of wide music spectrum on the water stage with upbeat pop songs and energetic dances, bringing the crowd to their feet. The first session of the Music Shows also featured popular homegrown girl group Lolly Talk and indie band Nowhere Boys, boosting the good vibes on site!  

Following the electrifying debut session, the Best Male Mandarin Singer of this year’s Taiwan Golden Melody Award HUSH, continued to amuse the audience together with local vocal powerhouse Jason Chan. Another Golden Melody winner, the newly-crowned Best Band Cosmos People will join local singer-songwriter Jay Fung tomorrow to enliven the harbourfront tomorrow.  

Action-packed line up to bring laughter all over the Harbourfront  

In addition to the Music Shows in the Harbour, the “Harbour Chill Carnival” also presents a series of exciting activities. A strong cast of local, Mainland and overseas street performers and Xgame athletes will also show off their skills at various locations at the Wan Chai Waterfront, demonstrating Hong Kong’s diversity and vibrant energy together with the Carnival-only Waterfront Pyrotechnic Edition of A Symphony of Lights. Members of the public can join these events ticket-free at the Wan Chai Harbourfront anytime during the Carnival.

Programmes on the debuting Saturday (8 July) and Sunday (9 July):  

1. Street performances – Light up the night 

The street performances combine local and foreign street performers’ innovation and skills and bring in a harbourfront show of different themes every week. For the debuting week, the “Shimmer & Shine” performance immersed the audience in brightly coloured lights. Former champion rhythmic gymnast from Australia and seasoned cruise show performers joined forces to present an LED hula show to brighten up the evening Harbour. A stilt-walker duo dressed up in beautifully lit outfit and interact with the crowd while demonstrating their excellent balance! What’s more, local artists also mingled with the audience through an LED Poi performance, integrating Maori ball-tossing dances from New Zealand to invigorate the Wan Chai waterfront with brilliant hues! 

2. X-game performances for climax 

With the global X-game craze, various X-games are being included in the Olympic Games. Local, Mainland and Japanese BMX athletes and skateboarders will showcase some of the best tricks in the sport at the outdoor X-game area at Wan Chai Waterfront. This week, Chinese skateboard national team athlete Chen Ye and Hong Kong skateboarder Luk Chun-yin “Chun Chai”, Champion of Skateboard – Game of Skate in 2014 Asian Beach Games, put on a heart-throbbing performances in the debuting show. Yusuke from Japan and local athlete Car Wing added to the excitement with BMX cycling. What’s more, local break dance group Good Job Brother presented their unique moves, making the audience cheer in excitement! 

3. Additional Waterfront Pyrotechnic effect for A Symphony of Lights

Starting from today, A Symphony of Lights is staged at 8pm every evening with enhanced lighting effects for one month. There will be special waterfront pyrotechnic effect during the ten weekend evenings, echoing the radiant night views of the vibrant Victoria Harbour.  

To make the most out of the Carnival, participants can check out the sips and bites area to enjoy a variety of refreshments such as snacks, beer and sparkling wine, which will add more fun and enjoyment to the events.

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