Hong Kong's Mid-Autumn Radiance: Lanterns and Mooncakes

Hong Kong's Mid-Autumn Radiance: Lanterns and Mooncakes

By Author

Published on October 6, 2023

Hong Kong lights up with excitement every year during the Mid-Autumn Festival. This cherished celebration, also known as the Mooncake Festival, brings families together to enjoy age-old traditions and create new memories under the full moon.

A Festival of Gratitude and Unity

The Mid-Autumn Festival is celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, which usually falls in September or October. Hong Kongers use this time to express gratitude for the harvest and pray for luck. Families eagerly reunite after time spent apart, making it a special occasion.

Mooncakes: A Symbol of Unity

Mooncakes are the festival's stars. These round pastries symbolize unity and are typically filled with lotus seed paste and salted egg yolk. Over time, innovative flavors like ice-cream mooncakes and snow skin mooncakes have emerged.

Lanterns That Illuminate the Night

Traditional paper lanterns add to the festival's charm. They come in various shapes and sizes and can be found in parks, streets, and along the waterfront. Some lanterns even feature modern LED lights, creating mesmerizing displays.

The Fire Dragon Dance: A Dazzling Tradition

Hong Kong boasts a unique tradition—the Fire Dragon Dance. This captivating dance, over a century old, features a 200-foot-long dragon adorned with thousands of burning sticks of incense. It's a vivid display of culture and heritage.

Moon Gazing and Lantern Riddles

The full moon serves as a backdrop for moon gazing, a time for reflection and inspiration. Families and friends often gather at parks like Victoria Park to enjoy this serene moment. Lantern riddles, attached to colorful lanterns, challenge participants with their wisdom and good fortune messages.

Delightful Mid-Autumn Delicacies

The festival is incomplete without indulging in mooncakes, but it's also a time for enjoying fruits with auspicious meanings. Star fruit and pomelo are popular choices. Families often end their reunion meals with glutinous rice balls, symbolizing togetherness.

Celebrating Resilience and Unity

In recent years, the festival has taken on new significance, symbolizing resilience and unity, particularly after the challenges posed by the pandemic. It's a testament to Hong Kong's unwavering spirit.

As the lanterns light up the city and families come together, the Mid-Autumn Festival in Hong Kong continues to be a cherished tradition—a time to express gratitude, celebrate unity, and look to the bright future under the moon's gentle glow.

Image Source - Hong Kong Tourism Board


Ospree Duty Free Celebrates Onam with ‘Osam Onam’ at Thiruvananthapuram Airport

Ospree Duty Free Celebrates Onam with ‘Osam Onam’ at Thiruvananthapuram Airport

By Hariharan U

Published on September 3, 2025

Ospree Duty Free has brought the joy of Kerala’s most cherished festival to the airport with its ‘Osam Onam’ celebrations at Thiruvananthapuram airport. Running through the festive season, the campaign aims to give travellers a true taste of Onam while turning their shopping journey into something special.

The store has been decked up with vibrant Kerala-inspired décor, highlighted by a striking installation of the legendary King Mahabali. Passengers are welcomed by staff dressed in traditional attire, setting the mood for a warm and authentic festive experience. A special photo corner featuring Mahabali allows shoppers to capture the spirit of Onam and carry home memories beyond their purchases.

The ‘Osam Onam’ celebrations extend beyond décor and experiences. Shoppers can explore a wide selection of categories from fragrances and cosmetics to food, Indian gourmet, electronics, sunglasses, and watches. Along with seasonal shopping, the campaign is packed with rewards, including the chance to win exciting prizes like an iPhone 15 Pro Max, one-gram gold coins, and even a Jawa Bike, all linked to threshold-based shopping offers.

Sharing more about the initiative, an Ospree Duty Free spokesperson said, “At Ospree, we focus on curating thoughtful, value-led selections that not only enhance the traveller's journey but also bring added joy to regional celebrations. With the Osam Onam campaign, we wanted to go a step further by celebrating Kerala's most important festival in a way that feels both festive and rewarding for our shoppers. From traditional touches to exclusive prizes, the campaign is designed to create memorable experiences for everyone passing through our Thiruvananthapuram store”.

Ospree Duty Free, formerly known as Mumbai Duty Free, is the flagship brand of Mumbai Travel Retail Private Limited (MTRPL), India’s leading duty-free retail operator. With a presence in Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Jaipur, Lucknow, Mangaluru, and Thiruvananthapuram, Ospree Duty Free continues to be a trusted destination for travellers seeking luxury shopping and exclusive offers.


Vegas Mall Hosts 13th Dwarka Half Marathon & Charity Run with Record Participation

Vegas Mall Hosts 13th Dwarka Half Marathon & Charity Run with Record Participation

By Hariharan U

Published on September 3, 2025

Vegas Mall, Dwarka’s landmark lifestyle and shopping destination, successfully hosted the 13th edition of the Dwarka Half Marathon & Charity Run 2025 as its proud Venue Partner. The event drew an overwhelming turnout of over 2000 fitness enthusiasts, professional runners, and families, making it one of the city’s most memorable fitness gatherings.

The marathon encouraged health, wellness, and community spirit, with participants competing across categories such as the 5K Run, 10K Run, 15K Run, Half Marathon, and the 5KM Walkathon. Kicking off at 5:00 AM, the run energized the city with its vibrant atmosphere.

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Expressing his delight, Mr. Ravinder Choudhary, Vice President, Vegas Mall, said, “Vegas Mall has always been committed to encouraging a healthy lifestyle and creating a sense of community. Hosting the 13th Dwarka Half Marathon was an honor, and we are delighted to see such enthusiastic participation. The energy and spirit of the runners truly made this event a grand success”.

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This year’s edition also carried a noble purpose, with proceeds supporting welfare initiatives through the event’s Charity Partner. A strong network of healthcare, hydration, and training partners ensured runners received complete support throughout the marathon.

The celebration continued post-run at Vegas Mall, where participants and their families enjoyed shopping, dining, and entertainment, turning the day into a holistic experience beyond the race itself.

With such initiatives, Vegas Mall continues to stand out as a community-first destination, combining lifestyle, wellness, and social engagement at the heart of Dwarka.


VITSKAMATS Group Expands Presence with New Hotel in Bengaluru

VITSKAMATS Group Expands Presence with New Hotel in Bengaluru

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on September 3, 2025

The VITSKAMATS Group has marked another milestone in its growth journey with the launch of a new business hotel in Bengaluru, Karnataka. This addition reflects the group’s strategic vision of expanding into South India’s most dynamic and future-focused city, offering its signature mix of comfort, practicality, and warm hospitality.

Strategically located at Service Road, 5th Block, Ashwath Nagar, HBR Layout, the Bengaluru property offers 40 well-designed rooms and suites. Each space is thoughtfully created with natural light, spacious layouts, and a blend of elegance and functionality. Ideal for both short and extended stays, the hotel aims to serve business travellers as well as the growing number of domestic tourists drawn to Bengaluru’s culture, commerce, and innovation.

This new launch is part of the group’s larger nationwide expansion strategy. VITSKAMATS already operates hotels across key destinations such as Aurangabad, Lonavala, Panchgani, Dwarka, Goa, and Gurugram. With an upcoming property in Kolkata, the group is steadily strengthening its presence across India.

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Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Vikram Kamat, Chairman and Managing Director of the VITSKAMATS Group, said, “Bengaluru is a city that beautifully represents the India of today which is forward-looking yet deeply rooted in tradition. Entering South India with this new property holds a lot more significance than a business expansion for us. It is a chance to be part of a market that thrives on innovation, diversity, and opportunity. Our philosophy has always been to provide premium yet practical hospitality, with a focus on comfort, great food, and a personal touch. With this hotel, we are excited to bring that promise closer to our guests in Bengaluru.”

As the hospitality industry in South India continues to grow, the VITSKAMATS Group remains committed to thoughtful expansion, rooted in service, quality, and trust. With Bengaluru now open and Kolkata soon to follow, the group continues to strengthen its nationwide footprint with confidence and care.

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