Cantonese Opera Day 2026 to Feature Spectacular Performances at Hong Kong Cultural Centre on November 29; Registration Starts Next Monday

LCSD's Cantonese Opera Day 2026 to be held November 29 with online registration for free workshops and talks to start next Monday

The Cantonese Opera Day 2026, presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), will be held on the afternoon of November 29 (Sunday) across the indoor and outdoor venues of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre (HKCC). Under the theme "Cantonese Opera Fun and Legacy for the Future", the event offers members of the public and tourists an array of spectacular performances, experiential activities, talks and an exhibition, showcasing the multifaceted charm of Cantonese opera as a world-class intangible cultural heritage. Admission is free. Online registration for certain activities will open next Monday (November 16) on a first-come, first-served basis.

Fabulous performances will be available on stage at this year's Cantonese Opera Day. Child actors and rising talents from various local Cantonese opera troupes will perform classic opera excerpts on stage. The child performers will also walk the catwalk onto the stage, highlighting the features of their costumes and makeup. Renowned artists will take to the stage to lead interactive sing-alongs with the audience.

Winners of the Hong Kong Schools Music Festival Cantonese Opera Competition and young Cantonese opera students will perform their signature repertoire and share their artistic journeys. Meanwhile, Chinese music elites from the Music Office will play a selection of familiar Cantonese tunes and Chinese music pieces, showcasing the brilliance of traditional melodies.

A variety of on-site workshops will be held for participants to learn basic Cantonese opera movements and stage prop techniques, such as the use of horsewhips andtasselled spears. This year's event introduces two new highlights: the "Families' Workshop on Cantonese Opera" for parents and children, with a chance to showcase their learning on stage; and the "Interactive Cantonese Opera Music Workshop - Wind, Plucked, Bowed, and Percussion" led by the School of Chinese Opera at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, followed by a hands-on instrument try-out session. Locals and visitors can also craft Cantonese opera-themed products at carnival booths, and take memorable photographs at a photo corner with traditional costumes and props.

Furthermore, the highly anticipated cross-generational star autograph sessions will feature renowned artists including Cheng Wing-mui, Wan Fai-yin, Chan Wing-yee, Lai Yiu-wai, Vong Seng-pan, Wang Zhiliang, Leung Sum-yee and Yue Ling-lung, offering opera fans a rare opportunity to meet their idols up close for signatures and photographs.

The Cantonese Opera Day has invited a seasoned Cantonese opera co-ordinator to conduct sessions in both Cantonese and English to explain the makeup and costume characteristics of various operatic roles. Theatre practitioners will share backstage insights and fascinating experiences from the world of Cantonese opera. The Hong Kong Heritage Museum will present the "Cantonese Opera Collection Highlights", showcasing precious Cantonese opera collections from the Hong Kong Heritage Museum, such as postbills, libretti, and programme booklets, to help visitors understand the development of Cantonese opera in Hong Kong.

Guided tours in Cantonese, English and Putonghua will be available on the day to lead visitors through the various performances and activities. Furthermore, attendees can redeem a limited-edition souvenir by collecting stamps at designated locations around the venue, while stocks last.

For the venues and times of the performances and activities for the Cantonese Opera Day 2026, please see the Annex. Online registration is required for certain activities, including workshops and talks. Registration will open at 10am on November 16 (Monday) (www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/chinese_opera/programs_2023.html#tab_10_0). Each person may register for up to two activities, with a maximum of two spaces per activity. Admission to all programmes is free and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

For details of the activities, online registration arrangements and information on other supporting events, please visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/chinese_opera/programs_2023.html or call 2268 7325.

The Cantonese Opera Day 2026 is one of the programmes of the "Pass It On! A Cantonese Opera Fiesta!" series and the 6th Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Culture and Arts Festival.

The Cantonese Opera Day 2026. Photo source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes

An incoming male passenger was sentenced to six months' imprisonment and fined $1,000 by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (November 12) for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).

Customs officers intercepted an incoming 29-year-old Mainland male passenger at Hong Kong International Airport on September 16 who arrived in Hong Kong from Tokyo, Japan, and seized 30 000 duty-not-paid cigarettes from his personal baggage, with an estimated market value of about $123,000 and a duty potential of about $99,000. The passenger was subsequently arrested.

Customs welcomes the sentence. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences.

Customs reminds members of the public that under the DCO, cigarettes are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who imports, deals with, possesses, sells or buys duty-not-paid cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account(crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

An incoming male passenger was sentenced to six months' imprisonment and fined $1,000 by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (November 12) for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance. Photo shows the duty-not-paid cigarettes seized. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases