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Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival 2024: An Iconic World Renowned Event
Updated: Oct 24, 2024
Visiting the Hong Kong Wine and Dine Festival was unexpected, but turned out to be an absolutely delightful experience! This world-renowned festival is a magnet for food and wine enthusiasts, and we were offered the opportunity to attend on the off-chance by our hotel manager.
We had no idea about it prior, but were most grateful in the end! Especially after it had been absent for a while during the pandemic - 2023 was its grand return, and 2024 promises to be even bigger!
This annual event showcases a wide array of wines and gourmet food from around the world, set against the stunning backdrop of Hong Kong's skyline. During the festival, visitors can indulge in tastings of exquisite wines, sample delicious dishes prepared by renowned chefs, attend cooking demonstrations, and participate in wine pairing workshops.
The festival offers a vibrant atmosphere filled with live music, entertainment, and a bustling marketplace where you can purchase your favorite wines and gourmet products. Whether you are a wine connoisseur or a food lover, the Hong Kong Wine and Dine Festival promises a memorable and flavorful experience that celebrates the best in culinary and oenological delights! Read on for more about the festival, how to get tickets and details on when it will be returning this year.
Table of Contents
● History & Origins of the Wine & Dine Festival in Hong Kong
● What are some of the featured cuisines at the festival?
● What are some of the featured wines at the festival?
● Other activities and events at the festival
● Dates, Tickets & Opening Times for the 2024 Wine & Dine Festival in Hong Kong
● How to get to the Wine & Dine Festival
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History & Origins of the Wine & Dine Festival in Hong Kong
The Wine & Dine Festival in Hong Kong was first launched in 2009 by the Hong Kong Tourism Board as a way to promote the city's culinary and wine offerings. Over the years, the festival has grown in popularity and has become a significant event on Hong Kong's annual calendar. The festival typically takes place in the fall, usually for four days at the end of October every year.
It is held at the Central Harbourfront, offering stunning views of Hong Kong's skyline as a backdrop to the culinary festivities. Throughout the years, the Wine & Dine Festival has evolved to include not only wine tastings and food samplings but also live entertainment, cooking demonstrations, and interactive workshops. It has become a must-visit event for food and wine enthusiasts both locally and internationally.
The festival aims to showcase Hong Kong as a culinary hub, highlighting its diverse food scene, world-class restaurants, and vibrant wine culture. It provides a platform for local chefs, winemakers, and food vendors to showcase their talents and products to a global audience. The Wine & Dine Festival in Hong Kong has become a signature event that celebrates the city's rich gastronomic heritage and continues to attract visitors from around the world. In 2023, it attracted an astonishing 140,000 visitors! We were very happy to be 2 of them!
What are some of the featured cuisines at the festival?
The Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival is a culinary extravaganza that brings together a tantalizing array of epicurean delights from various corners of the globe. The event showcases a diverse range of cuisines that cater to every palate, offering a culinary journey like no other.
One of the highlights of the festival is the exquisite French Gastronomy section, where visitors can savor classic dishes such as coq au vin and foie gras, known for their rich flavors and sophisticated preparation techniques.
The Japanese Sushi & Sashimi station offers a taste of traditional Japanese cuisine, with fresh and expertly crafted dishes that highlight the art of sushi-making. For those craving bold and aromatic flavors, the Indian Spices section is a must-visit, featuring a vibrant selection of curries and tandoori dishes that showcase the diverse and complex flavors of Indian cuisine.
The Cantonese Delicacies area presents a tempting spread of dim sum and Peking duck, showcasing the delicate flavors and textures of Cantonese cooking. Italian favorites take center stage too with a mouthwatering selection of pasta and wood-fired pizzas, offering a taste of Italy's culinary traditions. The Thai Cuisine section delights with iconic dishes like Pad Thai and Green Curry, known for their harmonious blend of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy flavors.
To complete the global culinary journey, the festival also features Spanish Cuisine with its iconic Paella, Tapas, Jamón Ibérico, and Churros, offering a taste of Spain's vibrant and flavorful gastronomic heritage. Attendees are invited to immerse themselves in a world of flavors, textures, and aromas, as they explore different cultures through a variety of delectable dishes, making the Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival a truly unforgettable culinary experience.
What are some of the featured wines at the festival?
The Hong Kong Wine and Dine Festival boasts a vast selection of wines from over 36 countries, catering to a wide range of palates. Here are some highlights to whet your appetite:
⪢ Classics from Old World Vineyards
Wine connoisseurs can rejoice in the presence of time-tested favorites from Bordeaux and Burgundy in France, known for their complex flavors and rich histories.
⪢ Rising Stars of the New World
For those seeking something more fruit-forward and youthful, New World wines from countries like the United States, Australia, and Chile offer bold expressions of their distinct grape varietals.
⪢ Hidden Gems
The festival also shines a light on lesser-known wine regions, allowing you to explore exciting finds from Moldova, Thailand, and even Singapore's innovative soy wine.
⪢ Spotlight on China
Witness the growing prominence of Chinese wines with selections from wineries in Shandong, Ningxia, and Yunnan. These regions are producing exciting bottles that rival established winemaking countries.
⪢ Natural Wine Movement
If you're interested in wines made with minimal intervention, the festival offers a dedicated section for natural wines produced with organic or biodynamic grapes.
Beyond these categories, the festival caters to specific preferences with special features like low-alcohol beverages and a "Chinese Wine Discovery" section for those wanting to delve deeper into China's blossoming wine scene.
Remember, with so many vendors present, the best way to discover your favorites is to explore and ask questions!
Other activities and events at the festival
The 2023 Hong Kong Wine and Dine Festival, which took place from October 26th to 29th last year, offered a whirlwind of culinary and beverage delights alongside exciting events and activities. Here's a look at some of the key highlights:
⪢ Global Wine Exploration
Over 400 booths showcased wines from 36 countries and regions, giving attendees the chance to embark on a global wine journey. From established favorites like Bordeaux to up-and-coming regions like Ningxia in China, there was something for every palate to discover.
⪢ Culinary Delights from Around the World
Matching the extensive wine selection was a smorgasbord of international cuisine. Over 17 countries and regions were represented, with food stalls offering delectable local specialties and international dishes with some of them mentioned earlier.
⪢ Tasting Theatre
This new addition to the festival provided a hub for interactive experiences. Attendees could participate in themed workshops led by renowned chefs and sommeliers. These workshops covered a variety of topics, from wine pairing tips to masterclasses in specific cuisines like Family Food Science by Curiosity Kids.
⪢ Live Music & Entertainment
The festival wasn't just about food and drink! The main stage came alive each evening with live performances by international and local singers. From jazz and classical melodies to upbeat music shows, these performances created a vibrant atmosphere for attendees to enjoy alongside their culinary and beverage explorations.
One of the biggest stars was singer Marcelito Pomoy, of whom we were lucky to catch on the night we visited. He rose to fame in the Philippines after winning the second season of Pilipinas Got Talent in 2011, later participating in the second season of America's Got Talent: The Champions in 2020 and achieving an impressive fourth-place finish.
Marcelito possesses the ability to sing in both baritone and mezzo-soprano ranges. This exceptional talent allows him to perform songs traditionally meant for both male and female singers. It also gives him an incredibly unique ability to duet with himself! Check out his incredible vocals in our YouTube video highlights.
⪢ Hong Kong Wine & Dine: Taste Around Town
As an extension of the festival experience, the Hong Kong Tourism Board collaborated with restaurants and bars across the city throughout November. This initiative, called "Hong Kong Wine & Dine: Taste Around Town," allowed attendees to continue their culinary exploration and experience the city's diverse dining scene. These restaurants, along with hoteliers, in turn also handed out discounted ticket passes to patrons. No wonder over 140,000 people attended!
Dates, Tickets & Opening Times for the 2024 Wine & Dine Festival in Hong Kong
⪢ Dates: The tentative dates for the 2024 Wine & Dine Festival in Hong Kong have been set for October 24th to 27th.
⪢ Tickets: Tickets are not yet available to purchase online. Last year they were available for $20 HKD (£2.01 GBP / $3.50 CAD / $2.56 USD). We will update this blog when the announcement is made for this year.
⪢ Tourist Pass: Be sure to ask your hotel about a tourist pass if you are staying in Hong Kong at the time of the event. The tourist pass offers FREE entry to the event, a special counter with English speaking staff to sign in and bypass the queues, a free re-useable wine cup (you will need this for the tastings) and 6 free tokens. This is pretty awesome and is absolutely worth redeeming, potentially making it a completely free experience.
⪢ Tokens: Tokens are available to purchase on entry, and are redeemed at the wine and food stalls. There is no way to pay for tastings at the stalls, and all purchases for tokens are made at the entry area of the festival.
⪢ Opening Times: Opening times for 2024 have yet to be confirmed. In 2023 the festival was open from 12pm to 11pm, with a closure between 4pm and 5.30pm.
How to get to the Wine & Dine Festival
There are many convenient ways to get to the Central Harbourfront in Hong Kong, depending on your budget and preferences. Here are some of the options:
⪢ Mass Rapid Transit (MTR)
This is the fastest and most convenient way to get around Hong Kong. The Central Harbourfront is easily accessible by MTR via several stations:
● Central Station (Exit K): This is the closest station to the Central Harbourfront, just a short walk away.
● Hong Kong Station (Exit A): This station is also within walking distance of the Central Harbourfront.
● East Tsim Sha Tsui Station (Exit P1): If you're coming from Kowloon, you can take the MTR to East Tsim Sha Tsui Station and then take a short ferry ride across the harbor to the Central Harbourfront.
⪢ Bus
An extensive bus network covers Hong Kong. Several buses go to the Central Harbourfront area. You can use a mobile app or online journey planner to find the most suitable bus route for your starting point.
⪢ Tram
The historic Hong Kong tram is a slow but scenic way to get around. You can take a tram to the Western Market stop and then walk a short distance to the Central Harbourfront.
⪢ Taxi
Taxis are readily available in Hong Kong and can be a convenient way to get to the Central Harbourfront, especially if you have luggage. Fares are metered.
⪢ Ferry
Taking the ferry is a great way to experience Hong Kong's iconic harbor. The Star Ferry offers a scenic ride across the harbor from Kowloon to Central. Several other ferry services also operate in the harbor, connecting various points on Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, and the Outlying Islands.
Address: 9 Lung Wo Rd, Central, Hong Kong
Watch our Wine & Dine Festival 2023 experience on YouTube
We had an EPIC evening at the Ladies' Market and The Hong Kong Wine and Dine Festival 2023. One of the highlights for us at the event was the opportunity to see one of the America's Got Talent All Stars runner ups; Filipino singer and performer Marcelito Pomoy! Watch our video and get inspired for the festival in 2024!
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Our Wine & Dine Festival experience rating
Sometimes the best experiences are the unplanned ones! We admittedly had no idea about this event before coming to Hong Kong, and if not for a very attentive hotel manager doing a great job at promoting tourism in the city, we never would have.
It was absolutely worth coming here, and we had a fantastic time. Even if you are not necessarily a wine fan, the food alone will surely entice you, along with a great atmosphere and awesome live entertainment. It was super busy, so we have to admit that queues for things were a bit of a struggle, alongside an untimely rain episode, but do not let that deter you! There are indoor spaces, and the almost 'VIP' status of foreign tourists with a tourist pass will get you access to an exclusive wine tent for cover and comfort. In fact, that pass was a real privilege and basically made this a free night out on the harbourside. Can't argue with that!
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