Join us for the 24th Hong Kong Winter Food Festival from December 24-28, 2026, at HKCEC, Wan Chai, featuring diverse food experiences.
Dates
24–28 Dec 2026
City / country
Wan Chai, Hong Kong
Venue
Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, Hall 3
Time
10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Are you the organiser of this event?
Event overview
The 24th Hong Kong Winter Food Festival will take place from December 24 to 28, 2026, at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Hall 3.
This event celebrates culinary diversity with various food zones and activities, attracting food enthusiasts and industry professionals alike.
TL;DR
Visitors can enjoy a wide range of food experiences, participate in cooking demonstrations, and discover new culinary trends.
Exhibitors gain access to a large audience of food enthusiasts and industry professionals, providing an excellent opportunity for networking, brand promotion, and direct sales. The Hong Kong Food Festival is a key event in the culinary calendar, showcasing local and international food trends. It provides a platform for exhibitors to connect with a diverse audience, enhancing brand visibility and market reach.
Attendees, exhibitors & solutions
Visitor profile
Typical attendee groups you can expect to meet.
Exhibitor profile
Main supplier and exhibitor segments present at the show.
Product categories
Key solution areas showcased across the event.
Location & Facilities
Halls & areas
11 Expo Drive, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
Entrances & gates
Main Entrance
Floor plans & maps
Food options
Various food stalls
On-site diningAttend
Event days & opening times
General Admission
Free for children under 3 and seniors over 65
Ticket info
Ticket notes
Admission stops 15 minutes prior to daily closing time.
How the last edition performed
Last edition
2025
This edition
2026
Next edition
Not announced yet
Impact
The 24th Hong Kong Winter Food Festival will take place from December 24 to 28, 2026, at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Hall 3. This event celebrates culinary diversity with various food zones and activities, attracting food enthusiasts and industry professionals alike. The Hong Kong Food Festival is a key event in the culinary calendar, showcasing local and international food trends. It provides a platform for exhibitors to connect with.
Audience quality
Visitors typically include Food enthusiasts looking for new culinary experiences, Industry professionals seeking networking opportunities, Families looking for fun activities and food sampling, Culinary students and aspiring chefs. Event Name: Hong Kong Food Festival 2026. Dates: December 24-28, 2026. Location: Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, Hall 3. Admission Fee: HK$30 (Free for children under 3 and seniors over 65). Hong Kong Food Festival 2026 attracts an audience aligned with the organiser's.
Exhibitor outcomes
Exhibitors gain access to a large audience of food enthusiasts and industry professionals, providing an excellent opportunity for networking, brand promotion, and direct sales. The Hong Kong Food Festival is a key event in the culinary calendar, showcasing local and international food trends. It provides a platform for exhibitors to connect with a diverse audience, enhancing brand visibility and market reach. Exhibitor categories include Food producers and manufacturers, Catering services and restaurants, Beverage.
Intelligence
Key market insights, trends, news and related events to help you understand the bigger picture.
Why it matters
Hong Kong is a compact but high-value food market and re-export hub: it imports the overwhelming majority of its food, has one of Asia's highest per-capita spends on premium and imported groceries, and serves as the entry point for brands aiming at the wider Greater Bay Area. A Christmas-week consumer food festival at HKCEC puts exhibitors in front of both local retail buyers and holiday-period shoppers, with the venue sitting directly on the Wan Chai/Exhibition Centre MTR network and a short hop from Central, Causeway Bay and the airport rail link.
Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.
Digital buyer journeys
Professionals expect pre-show agendas, product finders, and meeting tools; suppliers align demos and literature to short on-stand decision cycles.
Sustainability in procurement
Energy use, recyclable materials, and carbon reporting increasingly appear in RFPs and exhibitor scorecards across industrial trade fairs.
Automation and labour efficiency
Visitors benchmark machinery, software, and services that reduce downtime, staffing pressure, and total cost of ownership.
Regional supply-chain resilience
Buyers diversify suppliers across Europe, MENA, and Asia while favouring vendors with local service, spare parts, and training.
Hybrid engagement models
Live demonstrations remain decisive, but follow-up webinars, digital catalogues, and year-round supplier portals extend the commercial window after the show.
The Hong Kong Food Festival sits inside a dense Asian and global food-fair calendar. Use the trade-led events for supplier and distributor sourcing, and the Hong Kong consumer fair for Hong Kong retail listings, brand visibility and end-shopper feedback in the Christmas window.
August (trade and public days)
Q2 (spring)
February
October, biennial (odd years)
March
Compiled from well-known industry calendar entries; confirm exact dates, cities and hall allocations on each organiser site before booking.
Plan your trip
Choose from the following airports, with convenient access to the event and venue.
Primary international gateway serving Wan Chai.
to venue
35–50 min to HKCEC
by car
A range of accommodation options near the venue and across key areas.
USD 70–140 / night
Compact three-star rooms; rates rise sharply during the 24–28 December Christmas window, so book 2–3 months ahead.
sourceUSD 140–260 / night
Best balance of walking distance and rate for trade visitors; request harbour-side or higher floors to reduce street noise.
sourceUSD 300–650 / night
Direct or near-direct venue access for exhibitors and meeting-heavy schedules; Christmas and New Year rates are the highest of the year.
sourceGet around the city with these convenient transport options.
Airport Express + MTR
Fastest fixed-time option at about 24 minutes to Hong Kong Station; exhibition-station access puts you a short walk from HKCEC.
Taxi
30–45 min off-peak, up to 60 min during holiday traffic; taxis accept cash and Octopus, ride-hailing can be booked in-app.
Rideshare / private transfer
Useful for exhibitors with samples or luggage; pre-book for early-morning show days.
MTR (metro)
Covered walkways link Wan Chai station to HKCEC; Octopus card or contactless bank card is the easiest payment method.
Star Ferry
Scenic harbour crossing from Kowloon hotels; cheap and frequent, but slower than the MTR.
Tram (Ding Ding)
Slow but inexpensive for short city hops between the venue and Wan Chai/Causeway Bay hotels; pay by Octopus on exit.
taxi
Airport Express to Hong Kong station, then taxi or MTR.
Plan your trip
Check the latest visa requirements and entry guidelines before travelling.
| Type | Who needs it | Fee | Processing | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visa-free entry | Passport holders from around 170 countries and territories, including the EU, UK, US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Korea and most ASEAN states | — | None — granted at immigration control on arrival | |
| Visit (entry) visa | Nationals not covered by visa-free arrangements, and anyone intending to stay beyond the visa-free period | $30.00 | Typically 4–6 weeks; apply well before the December travel peak |
Mainland Chinese residents travel on an Exit-Entry Permit for Hong Kong and Macau with the appropriate endorsement rather than a visa. Visitors should carry proof of onward travel, accommodation booking and sufficient funds, as these may be requested on arrival.
Hong Kong Customs accepts ATA Carnets for the temporary admission of exhibition and display goods. Confirm the goods list, chamber issuance and Carnet procedures with the organiser and Hong Kong Customs before shipping samples to HKCEC.
Official visa pageWeather
Late December in Hong Kong is cool and dry: expect roughly 15–21 °C by day and 13–17 °C at night, with low humidity. Occasional cold fronts can push overnight temperatures towards 10 °C and bring a brief drizzle spell, so pack a light jacket or layers for the venue's air-conditioned halls.
Plan for the climate
Check temperatures and pack accordingly
Venue connectivity
Confirm mobile roaming or local SIM options for business visitors to Hong Kong.
Ride-hailing
Taxis
Public transit
Car rentals
Useful information to help you have a smooth and respectful visit.
Tipping and service charge
Most hotels, restaurants and bars add a 10% service charge, so additional tipping is discretionary — rounding up or leaving HKD 10–20 is common for good service; taxis expect fares rounded to the nearest dollar.
Business etiquette at the show
Cards are exchanged two-handed and Cantonese or Mandarin greetings are appreciated; meetings are punctual and direct but relationship-building over a meal or coffee carries weight. English is widely used in trade settings.
Payments, queues and public holidays
Octopus card and contactless payments dominate, though market stalls may be cash-only — carry some Hong Kong dollars. Queuing and escalator etiquette (stand right, walk left) is observed strictly. 25–26 December are public holidays: shops stay open but transport is busy and venues crowded.
Practical guides
Everything needed to arrive prepared, navigate the event, and make the visit productive.
Destination: HKG
Book flights to HKG (Wan Chai) when possible for the shortest transfer to the venue.
Hong Kong is visa-free for most short-stay business visitors — passport holders from the EU, UK, US, Canada, Australia, Japan, Korea and most ASEAN countries receive 7–180 days on arrival (stay length depends on nationality, so check the Immigration Department country list). Mainland Chinese residents instead need an Exit-Entry Permit with the appropriate endorsement. Nationalities not covered by visa-free arrangements must obtain a visit (entry) visa from the Hong Kong Immigration Department before travel — allow roughly 4–6 weeks and bring proof of onward travel and accommodation.
Estimated cost: Varies by visa type and nationality (check official site).
Processing: Varies by nationality; apply several weeks before travel.
Length of stay varies by nationality (commonly 7, 14, 30, 90 or 180 days); confirm your specific allowance on the Immigration Department country list before booking. Approximate fee (about HKD 230 for a single-entry visit visa) — confirm the current fee and submission route on the Immigration Department website.
OfficialGet to the venue and around the city with these options.
Airport → venue: Primary gateways: Hong Kong (HKG): Primary international gateway serving Wan Chai.. Allow road or rail time to Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, Hall 3; on-site parking is usually available at major exhibition venues.
Hotel → venue: Precinct hotels near Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, Hall 3: Wan Chai / Causeway Bay fringe, 10–20 min on foot or 1–2 MTR stops from HKCEC: iclub Wan Chai Hotel, Mini Hotel Causeway Bay, Best Western Hotel Causeway Bay; Wan Chai core, 5–15 min walk to HKCEC Hall 3: Novotel Century Hong Kong, Dorsett Wanchai Hong Kong, The Harbourview; Connected to or directly adjacent to HKCEC, Wan Chai: Grand Hyatt Hong Kong, Renaissance Hong Kong Harbour View Hotel, Conrad Hong Kong.
Ride-hail: Ride-hailing apps are commonly used in Wan Chai; confirm local availability before travel.
Public transit: Check local bus/metro options for routes to Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, Hall 3.
Parking: On-site parking is available at Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, Hall 3; confirm daily rates and hall access on the organiser or venue site.
Plan and pack for the event climate.
Month: December 2026
Temperature: 15–21 °C daytime, 13–17 °C overnight; cold fronts can briefly drop overnight lows to around 10 °C
Seasonality: December is one of Hong Kong's driest months — typically only about 25–30 mm of rain over roughly 4–5 wet days, with low humidity and occasional strong monsoon winds. Dry, mild weather makes it a comfortable period for walking between Wan Chai hotels and HKCEC.
Packing: Late December in Hong Kong is cool and dry: expect roughly 15–21 °C by day and 13–17 °C at night, with low humidity. Occasional cold fronts can push overnight temperatures towards 10 °C and bring a brief drizzle spell, so pack a light jacket or layers for the venue's air-conditioned halls.
Plan your trip
Best day for qualified buyer meetings: 2026-12-24 (opening day, Thursday)
The festival runs 24–28 December and 25–26 December are Hong Kong public holidays falling into a weekend (Friday–Sunday) in 2026, so the heaviest consumer crowds land on 25–27 December. The 24 December opening day gives the best access to stands, freshest stock and the greatest likelihood of reaching supplier decision-makers before the holiday rush, while 27–28 December suits leisure visitors who want the full festive atmosphere.
Tsim Sha Tsui & Star Ferry harbour crossing
Victoria Peak and Central
Hall 3 exhibitor and sampling zones
On-floor B2B contact
The main trade-contact surface: stand-level negotiations, distributor introductions and sample-based conversations. Strongest in the first two hours after opening.
HKCEC harbourfront promenade and Expo Drive cafes
Informal meeting space
Waterfront cafes and venue concourse seating a two-minute walk from Hall 3 — practical for short follow-up meetings without leaving the venue complex.
Wan Chai dining and bar district (Lockhart Road / Lee Tung Avenue)
Evening networking
Concentrated restaurant and bar cluster used for post-show dinners with suppliers and buyers; book ahead during Christmas week.
Budget
Official cost items and estimated ranges for exhibitors.
visitor_ticket
visitor · General Admission
HKD 30 / per person
visa_fee
visitor · Visit (entry) visa
USD 30 / per application
| Item | For | Tier | Estimated range | Status | As of |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| visitor_ticket | visitor | General Admission | HKD 30 / per person | official | |
| visa_fee | visitor | Visit (entry) visa | USD 30 / per application | official |
Decision
Pick the closest answer for each. Your recommendation updates live.
QUESTION 1 OF 6
What is your primary role?
Compare participation options side by side to choose the best fit for your objectives.
visit
You need product discovery, price benchmarking or supplier contacts without committing to floor space, and can travel with 2 nights in the city.
Best for
Food buyers, distributors, retail/F&B managers and foodie travellers who want to sample, benchmark and source specialist Asian and imported food products in one hall over 1–2 days.
Min. budget
$550.00
Timeline
2–6 weeks ahead — book peak-season Wan Chai hotel rooms early (Christmas week) and confirm travel authorisation if you are not visa-exempt.
Risks
Budget estimate from listing cost signals — confirm live rates.
Christmas week is peak season in Hong Kong: hotel rates and flights spike on 24–26 December.
Public holidays on 25–26 December mean denser crowds and shorter supplier decision-maker availability.
exhibit
You have a product range ready for the Hong Kong/GBA market, paperwork for temporary import, and staff available across all five show days including the Christmas holidays.
Best for
Food and beverage brands, importers, agencies and regional distributors targeting Hong Kong consumers plus Greater Bay Area buyers and Christmas-period retail listings.
Min. budget
$2,200.00
Timeline
4–6 months ahead — stand space, shell scheme build, freight/customs clearance and product sampling permits need lead time before the December show.
Risks
Budget estimate from listing cost signals — confirm live rates.
Stand, freight, ATA Carnet and sampling-licence costs are not published in the listing — validate with the organiser before budgeting.
Peak Christmas logistics in Hong Kong raise freight, hotel and staffing costs.
skip
Your target market, product category or buying cycle does not align with a consumer-facing Christmas food festival in Wan Chai.
Best for
Companies with no Hong Kong, Greater Bay Area or consumer-food relevance in the next 12 months.
Timeline
Not applicable.
Risks
No major risks listed.
Gallery
Trust footer
5
References
1
Publishers
0
Date checked
Hongkong-Asia Exhibition (Holdings) Ltd.
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