We almost never manage to plan ahead when we visit a new city, so when we heard about a Carnival Festival in Hong Kong from someone Auston had met earlier in the week, we were eager to join him and his friends for the fun! Meeting locals is an easy way to find out about events going on around the city. Sure, if we planned ahead we would be more aware of current happenings in our travel destinations, but that's not really our style.

Carnvial Festival in Hong Kong

As to why Hong Kong has a Carnival celebration in November, we have no clue. While it is nothing compared to the illustrious events we expect to see in Brazil this February, perhaps in can be considered a good warm-up to the Carnival and Mardi Gras celebrations that are near.

Carnival Festival in Lan Kwai Fong

The area of Lan Kwai Fong is already known for having a great bar and restaurant scene and the Carnival event allows you to get a preview of many of the establishments which create special menus for the occasion to serve their food and drinks in a street-vendor style. Add extensive decorations, Brazilian dancers, performers, games, and a parade and you've got a “can't-miss” event!

Meeting Locals in Hong Kong

We met fun people, made new friends (thanks Ken & Stephen!) and stayed out entirely too late for having to be up early the next day. Damn those early flights!

So if you happen to visit Hong Kong in November, head over to Lan Kwai Fong and don't miss the Carnival Festival and Parades each night during the event. For more information about Hong Kong as well as traveling around around other parts of China, check out The China Travel Company which has plenty of information on destinations, dates, vaccines, visas, and more.