Hong Kong ICH Month 2026 Launches with Exciting Events Shaping Tourism with Cultural Activities

Hong Kong ICH Month 2026 kicks off with a Carnival of exciting performances and interactive experiential booths

Organised by the Intangible Cultural Heritage Office (ICHO) of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), the second edition of the Hong Kong Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) Month opens today (May 30). From today to June 30, a series of activities will be held across Hong Kong giving the public and tourists a greater insight intoHong Kong's ICH, and enabling them to experience the cultural richness of ICH and the pleasure it brings. With the theme "ICH Around Town", the Hong Kong ICH Month aims to attain "shaping tourism with cultural activities and promoting culture through tourism".

Addressing The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: "Hong Kong ICH Month 2026" opening ceremony, the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, said the Outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan approved in March this year clearly sets out the need to foster a sound cultural ecosystem, enhance the safeguarding and passing-on of ICH, extend the reach and appeal of Chinese civilisation, and help Chinese culture reach a wider global audience. The ICHO has been making active efforts in safeguarding and passing on ICH. Since last year, it has organised the "Hong Kong ICH Month" every June, in response to the national designation of the second Saturday of June as "Cultural and Natural Heritage Day". The inaugural Hong Kong ICH Month last year attracted over 160 000 participants. This year's Hong Kong ICH Month will bring even more exciting and engaging events.

Other officiating guests included the Head of Charities (Culture & Sports Cluster; Community Engagement) of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, Ms Winnie Yip; member of the Working Group on Patriotic Education under the Constitution and Basic Law Promotion Steering Committee Ms Melissa Pang; the Chairperson of the ICH June and Legislative Council Member Professor Lau Chi-pang; the Chairperson of the ICH Advisory Committee, Professor Ricardo Mak; the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Ms Manda Chan;and the Head of the ICHO, Ms Judith Ng.

Kicking off the Hong Kong ICH Month 2026, the ICH Carnival will be held at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza today and tomorrow (May 30 to 31) with thetheme "Unlock ICH · Boundless Inheritance". The Carnival offers diverse activities including the Tai Hang LED little fire dragon parade, traditional Hoi Luk Fung unicorn dance parade and Pok Fu Lam Village Mid-Autumn Festival fire dragon dance, as well as performances including the Pixiu dance, female lion dance, Nanyin, Cantonese opera, Hakka unicorn dance of Hang Hau in Sai Kung, puppetry, and more.

There are also activity booths where ICH organisations and practitioners will make demonstrative performances. Members of the public and tourists are welcome to participate in the activities for free to personally experience ICH of Hong Kong, including the patterned band weaving technique, lion dance, handmade birdcage, and traditional architecture preservation technique - mortise and tenon. They may also make galvanised iron keychains and try on Cantonese opera costumes. The ICH Mobile Centre "Mobile ICH"is ready to provide participants with more details about Hong Kong's ICH items. Photo-worthy spots are available at the Wing Chun Fist and fire dragon dance booths. For the first time, the carnival will present a creative market of ICH-related products. For details of the programmes, please visit the website:www.icho.hk/en/web/icho/2026_hkich_month_opening_ceremony_cum_ich_carnival.html.

The Hong Kong ICH Month 2026 is presented by the LCSD and organised by the ICHO, with The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust as the sole sponsor of "Hong Kong ICH Month 2026 The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series" and the ICH June as a strategic partner.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: "Hong Kong ICH Month 2026" Intangible Cultural Heritage Carnival will be held today and tomorrow (May 30 to 31). Photo shows members of the public at a photo booth of Wing Chun Fist. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: "Hong Kong ICH Month 2026" Intangible Cultural Heritage Carnival will be held today and tomorrow (May 30 to 31). Photo shows a booth on traditional Hoi Luk Fung unicorn dance. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: "Hong Kong ICH Month 2026" Intangible Cultural Heritage Carnival will be held today and tomorrow (May 30 to 31). Photo shows members of the public experiencing the traditional architecture preservation technique — mortise and tenon. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: "Hong Kong ICH Month 2026" Intangible Cultural Heritage Carnival will be held today and tomorrow (May 30 to 31). Photo shows a tourist experiencing lion dance. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: "Hong Kong ICH Month 2026" Intangible Cultural Heritage Carnival will be held today and tomorrow (May 30 to 31). Photo shows tourists trying on Cantonese opera costumes. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: "Hong Kong ICH Month 2026" Intangible Cultural Heritage Carnival will be held today and tomorrow (May 30 to 31). Photo shows a parade of the Tai Hang LED little fire dragon of national ICH item, the Mid-Autumn Festival – the Tai Hang fire dragon dance. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: "Hong Kong ICH Month 2026" Opening Ceremony was held today (May 30). Photo show performers of female lion dance. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: "Hong Kong ICH Month 2026" Intangible Cultural Heritage Carnival will be held today and tomorrow (May 30 to 31). Photo shows the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law (first left) visiting a booth on Mahjong tile making technique. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: "Hong Kong ICH Month 2026" Intangible Cultural Heritage Carnival will be held today and tomorrow (May 30 to 31). Photo shows the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law (right) visiting a booth of the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: "Hong Kong ICH Month 2026" Intangible Cultural Heritage Carnival will be held today and tomorrow (May 30 to 31). Photo shows the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law (front row, fourth left) and other officiating guests visiting a booth on demonstration and experience on puppetry. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: "Hong Kong ICH Month 2026" Intangible Cultural Heritage Carnival will be held today and tomorrow (May 30 to 31). Photo shows the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law (eighth right); the Head of Charities (Culture & Sports Cluster; Community Engagement) of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, Ms Winnie Yip (seventh right); the Chairperson of the ICH June, and Legislative Council Member Professor Lau Chi-pang (sixth right); the Chairperson of the ICH Advisory Committee, Professor Ricardo Mak (fifth right); member of the Working Group on Patriotic Education under the Constitution and Basic Law Promotion Steering Committee Ms Melissa Pang (fourth right); the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Ms Manda Chan (third right); and the Head of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Office, Ms Judith Ng (second right) with performers of a parade of the Tai Hang LED little fire dragon of national ICH item, the Mid-Autumn Festival – the Tai Hang fire dragon dance. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: "Hong Kong ICH Month 2026" Opening Ceremony was held today (May 30). Photo shows (from right) the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Ms Manda Chan; the Chairperson of the ICH June, and Legislative Council Member Professor Lau Chi-pang; the Head of Charities (Culture & Sports Cluster; Community Engagement) of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, Ms Winnie Yip; the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law; member of the Working Group on Patriotic Education under the Constitution and Basic Law Promotion Steering Committee Ms Melissa Pang; the Chairperson of the ICH Advisory Committee, Professor Ricardo Mak and the Head of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Office, Ms Judith Ng, officiating at the opening ceremony. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CHP actively follows up on local case of dengue fever

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) said today (June 2) that it had received notification of a dengue fever (DF) case from the health authorities of the Chinese Mainland through the joint prevention and control mechanism. The patient is currently in the Chinese Mainland, but spent the incubation period in Hong Kong. Therefore, the CHP classified the case as locally acquired and is working with various government departments to implement appropriate prevention and control measures. As rising temperatures and increased humidity create favourable conditions for mosquito breeding, the CHP reminded the public to take appropriate measures to prevent mosquito breeding and adopt appropriate mosquito repellent measures to avoid mosquito bites, in order to prevent the transmission of mosquito-borne diseases.

Case details

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The case involves a 67-year-old male with underlying illnesses. He developed a rash on May 24 and fever, dizziness and muscle ache on May 26. He attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Caritas Medical Centre for treatment on the same day. Due to his persistent fever, he sought further medical attention at a private clinic three days later (May 29). His symptoms remained mild throughout this period. Yesterday (June 1), he travelled to the Chinese Mainland with a family member and sought medical treatment at a hospital there as he was feeling unwell. His blood sample tested positive for dengue virus upon laboratory testing by the health authorities of the Chinese Mainland. The patient remains hospitalised in the Chinese Mainland and is in stable condition.

The CHP's initial investigations revealed that the patient lives in Ki Lung Street in Sham Shui Po and is retired. He had no travel history during the incubation period (May 10 to 21). He primarily stayed in the vicinity of his residence (including Tung Chau Street Park and Pei Ho Street Market). He did not recall being bitten by mosquitoes in Hong Kong recently and his four household contacts remain asymptomatic.

The CHP will maintain close liaison with the health authorities of the Chinese Mainland and exchange relevant information on epidemiological investigation.

Including the above case, a total of 21 DF cases have been recorded so far this year, including 19 imported cases and two local cases. Last year (2025), 59 DF cases were recorded, all of which were imported. In 2024, 161 DF cases were recorded, including 156 imported cases and five local cases.

Government's comprehensive follow-up actions

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"The DH is conducting comprehensive follow-up actions in collaboration with relevant departments, including the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) and the Sham Shui Po District Office. The CHP has conducted inspections and epidemiological investigations in the vicinity of patient's residence. As the patient had been active in Sham Shui Po after the onset of his illness, the CHP will, as a precautionary measure, set up a health consultation booth at the Neighbour Care · Buildings Support Center (Address: 165 Tai Nan Street, Sham Shui Po) starting from tomorrow (June 3) to provide health assessment and conduct free DF antibody tests for members of the public with relevant symptoms. The health consultation booth will be open from 10am to 6pm. The CHP will also set up an enquiry hotline (tel: 2125 2373), which will operate from 9am to 6pm starting tomorrow.

In addition, the CHP staff will distribute leaflets with health information on DF prevention to local residents and remind the public to be aware of the relevant symptoms and to maintain good hygiene at home. The CHP will jointly organise a health talk with the Sham Shui Po District Office and the FEHD at the Shamshuipo Kaifong Welfare Advancement Association (Address: 88 Yu Chau Street, Sham Shui Po) at 6pm tomorrow, aiming to raise public awareness of how to prevent mosquito-borne diseases and encourage people to participate in prevention and control measures to protect themselves and others. The CHP will also send a letter to doctors, hospitals, schools and institutions to explain the latest situation regarding DF and remind them to remain vigilant. If there are any suspected cases, they should immediately notify the CHP for follow-up. Finally, I would like to remind the public to stay vigilant and take proper mosquito control and personal protective measures both locally and when travelling. According to surveillance data of the Aedes mosquito from the FEHD, the Area Gravidtrap Index for Sham Shui Po and Shek Kip Mei was 26.2 per cent. As compared with last year, the rise in gravidtrap indexes occurred earlier this year. Depending on factors like rainfall, the indexes may rise further. Therefore, we anticipate that the risk of local transmission triggered by imported cases will rise significantly in the coming months," said the Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui.

In light of the local case, the FEHD has immediately taken follow-up actions, including:

carrying out vector investigations and mosquito control operations, including removing stagnant water, applying insecticides and fogging in scrubby areas within a 250-metre radius of the relevant locations to kill adult mosquitoes;

strengthening inspections of the high-risk locations and providing departments and the industry with professional advice and technical support; and

enhancing public education efforts through organising health talks, setting up mobile education stations, and distributing publicity leaflets, to raise public awareness of mosquito prevention and control.

The abovementioned measures will be continued. Furthermore, the Government will further enhance the mosquito control efforts in addition to the existing measures.

Preventive measures to be taken by the public

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Members of the public should use DEET-containing insect repellents or other effective active ingredients properly to prevent mosquito bites, but the following precautions should be taken when using them:

read the label instructions carefully first;

apply right before entering an area with a risk of mosquito bites;

apply on exposed skin and clothing;

use DEET of up to 30 per cent for pregnant women and up to 10 per cent for children (for children who travel to countries or areas where mosquito-borne diseases are endemic or epidemic, and where exposure is likely, those aged 2 months or above can use DEET-containing insect repellents with a DEET concentration of up to 30 per cent);

apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent;

reapply only when needed and follow the instructions; and

in addition to DEET, there are other insect repellents available on the market containing different active ingredients, such as IR3535 and picaridin. When using any insect repellent, the public should follow the usage instructions and precautions on the product label.

The FEHD also appeals to members of the public to continue to stay alert and work together to carry out mosquito prevention and control measures early, including inspecting their homes and surroundings to remove potential breeding grounds, changing water in vases and scrubbing their inner surfaces, removing water in saucers under potted plants at least once a week, and properly disposing of containers such as empty cans and lunch boxes. The FEHD also advises members of he public and property management agencies to keep drains free of blockage and level all defective ground surfaces to prevent the accumulation of water. They should also scrub all drains and surface sewers with an alkaline detergent at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.

The public should call 1823 in case of mosquito problems, and may visit the following pages for more information: the CF page of theCHPand theTravel Health Service, the latestTravel Health News,tips for using insect repellents, and the CHPFacebook Page,Instagram AccountandYouTube Channel, and also theMosquito Prevention and Control dedicated pageof the FEHD.

CHP actively follows up on local case of dengue fever Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CHP actively follows up on local case of dengue fever Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases