In the mood for sunshine, spectacle and a fair whack of splash? Hong Kong has rolled out the beach towel and cracked open the party esky – this summer, it’s going all-in with “Hong Kong Summer Viva 2025”, and you’re very much on the VIP guest list.
Few cities can throw a celebration quite like Hong Kong. From the fragrant shores of Sai Kung to the floodlit stages of Disneyland, the city is curating a mammoth summer season bursting at the seams with festivals, football, food, and enough pop culture to shake a selfie stick at. “Hong Kong Summer Viva 2025” isn’t just a slogan – it’s a full-blown experience, and it’s tailor-made for the fun-starved, the sunseekers, the theme park thrill-chasers and, yes, even the football tragics.
So, if you’ve ever fancied snorkelling one day and seeing Cristiano Ronaldo’s football boots the next, read on. Because Hong Kong isn’t just open for business – it’s throwing one heck of a party.
🎈 The Magic Begins: Disney’s 20th Birthday Bash
Kicking off the seasonal carnival on 28 June, Hong Kong Disneyland Resort is turning the big 2-0 – and like any good millennial, it’s doing it in style. Aptly dubbed “The Most Magical Party of All”, this year-long blowout promises a triple scoop of enchantment: a brand-new castle stage show, the largest parade in the park’s history, and a jaw-dropping nighttime spectacular that could make Tinkerbell cry.
Over 80 new food and drink creations are on the menu – because what’s a party without snacks? – and for the souvenir traders, there are over 300 pieces of fresh anniversary merchandise. Throw in a complimentary digital party snap via the Disney PhotoPass app, and you’ve got yourself a pocketful of pixie dust.
Oh, and there’s more. Thanks to a nifty collaboration with the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), guests spending HK$100 or more at Disneyland Park stores can snap up a limited-edition resort postcard – postage and pixie magic included. Drop it in the park’s special mailbox and let the world know you’ve been partying with the Mouse.
Celebrate 20 years of magic at Hong Kong Disneyland with The Most Magical Party of All – and even a limited-edition postcard to send home.
🐼 Pandas, Pool Noodles and DJ Beats at Ocean Park
If Disneyland’s sparkle isn’t enough, Ocean Park Hong Kong is cranking up the volume from 5 July to 24 August with Summer Splash 2025. Think inflatable mayhem, adorable panda twins (happy birthday, Jia Jia and De De!) and – here’s the clincher – Hong Kong’s very first Twin Park Package Ticket giving visitors access to both Ocean Park and Water World.
Yes, it’s family-friendly. Yes, there are water gun battle zones. And yes, the little ones will be happily drenched in the kid-friendly splash zones while the grown-ups soak up seaside DJ beats by sunset. Early birds can snag a summer goodie bag packed with park vouchers and panda-themed keepsakes – but only while stocks last. Bring a towel. And a strong sense of joy.
⚽ Football’s Coming Home (to Kai Tak Stadium)
And now, let’s talk football. Not your average Sunday arvo kickabout, mind you. This is the real deal. The Hong Kong Football Festival 2025 is a glorious showdown that’s bringing four European heavyweights to the turf: Liverpool FC, AC Milan, Arsenal, and Tottenham Hotspur.
It’s not just matches, though those are pretty juicy: Liverpool vs AC Milan on 26 July, followed by the first-ever North London Derby held outside the UK on 31 July. It’s footy history in the making, and Hong Kong’s gleaming new Kai Tak Stadium is the pitch for it.
Die-hard fans can also attend exclusive training sessions – a chance to see the stars up close and personal without getting yelled at by stewards. For the record:
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Liverpool: 24 July
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AC Milan: 25 July (at Hong Kong Stadium)
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Spurs: 29 July
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Arsenal: 30 July
Add to that a peppering of club-led events, activities, and fan surprises, and you’ve got a sports festival with real global clout.
🏝️ Sea Caves, Coral Reefs and Island Escapes
Looking to swap chants for channelling serenity? Hong Kong’s wild side awaits. And no, not the nightclubs – we’re talking the great outdoors.
Nature buffs can set sail with the UNESCO Global Geopark-certified Sai Kung Volcanic Rock Region Boat Tour – a breezy two-hour jaunt running every Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday through August. Featuring marvels like the Elephant Trunk Cave and bell-shaped sea arches, it’s Mother Nature’s answer to architecture.
Prefer your marine adventures educational? WWF Hong Kong’s Hoi Ha Marine Life Centre is offering Coral Exploration Programmes from June through September. Guests glide above coral gardens on glass-bottom boats, learn about local ecosystems, and visit the coral nursery doing the good work of restoration. It’s conservation meets exploration – a hands-on homage to Hong Kong’s lesser-known, deeply stirring underwater world.
📌 Tour Info & Bookings:
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Sai Kung Boat Tour: Trip.com link
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Coral Tour: WWF Hong Kong Booking
📚 Fairs, Fans and Fandoms at the HKCEC
Culturally inclined? The Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) in Wan Chai is throwing open its doors to two cracking events.
First up, the Hong Kong Book Fair from 16–22 July, themed “Food Culture • Future Living”. Meet authors, join seminars, and explore exhibits that showcase literature, food, and everything in between. Word lovers and foodies rejoice.
Then, from 25–29 July, comes Ani-Com & Games Hong Kong (ACGHK) – a five-day pop culture jamboree complete with anime, cosplay, and gaming galore. For the international superfans, there’s even a Tourist Fast Lane at Gate 1B – a gesture of efficiency and fandom appreciation in equal measure.
🎁 More Than Just Events: Offers, Treats & Travel Perks
Hong Kong Summer Viva isn’t just a celebration – it’s an invitation to indulge. Over 100 limited-time deals kick off on 23 June, covering everything from buy-one-get-one-free desserts to hotel buffets and afternoon tea sets. Quality Tourism Services (QTS)-certified merchants are rolling out the red carpet, and visitors can score peak tram rides, Sky Terrace 428 admissions, and Victoria Harbour water taxi tours for a song – or at least just HK$100.
Hotels, transport providers and attractions are in full swing, offering hospitality deals that make a summer trip to Hong Kong not only thrilling but remarkably good value.
🗺️ Planning Made Easy
The newly revamped Discover Hong Kong website makes planning your escape to Hong Kong smoother than a mango sago dessert. With monthly timelines, insider tips, and advanced search features, it’s your digital concierge for the entire Summer Viva season.
👉 Check it out here: Discover Hong Kong.
By Charmaine Lu
