The 36th Hong Kong Book Fair, the 9th Sports and Leisure Expo, and the 6th World of Snacks opened today, July 15, running concurrently through July 21 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC). Organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the three events are accessible with a single ticket, offering visitors a blend of reading, sports, leisure, and international snacks.
Cheuk Wing-hing, Acting Chief Secretary for Administration of the HKSAR Government, officiated the opening ceremony, while HKTDC Chairman Professor Frederick Ma delivered welcome remarks. Ma emphasized the Book Fair's role as one of Asia's most influential cultural events, noting this year's theme, “Reading the World: Cultural Legacy | Joyful Journeys,” aims to inspire readers to explore global cultures through literature. He added that the synergy of the three fairs, attracting over 770 exhibitors, highlights Hong Kong's summer events.
The Book Fair features eight seminar series, including the Theme of the Year and Renowned Writers, with speakers such as Cheng Po-hong on Hong Kong's tourism history, Su Tong on life and writing, and Liu Zhenyun on literary storytelling. The English and International Reading Seminar Series includes British poet Luke Kennard and Swedish fantasy novelist Kristina Dowling. In a new collaboration with the Hong Kong-ASEAN Foundation, the ASEAN Literary Festival debuts with authors like Eka Kurniawan and Clarissa Goenawan.
The World of Art & Culture, sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency, presents an exhibition titled “World in Words, A Voyage of the Heart,” featuring over 200 books and interactive installations. The Chinese Mainland Publishers zone showcases 20,000 publications, with Yunnan as the featured province, and the Guangdong Publishing Pavilion highlights Qiaopi culture. The Cultural and Creative Space includes debut exhibitors from Fujian and the Hangzhou Pavilion.
The Sports and Leisure Expo features the Hong Kong Sports Institute's 35th-anniversary exhibition with medals from past Asian Games and an interactive fitness challenge. Now TV broadcasts major sporting events on large screens. New this year, the Travel & Tourism zone includes Turkiye and Korea, showcasing mosaic lamps, Turkish coffee, and K-pop culture. Thailand returns with themed travel experiences and complimentary Thai massage sessions.
The World of Snacks brings together over 1,300 snacks from nearly 30 countries across six themed zones. Exhibitors include The Nutter Company with nut butter ice cream, Azure Asia with additive-free snacks, and TimeToGold with traditional pastries made by senior women. Interactive activities include black sesame roll making and a Junior Sommelier Workshop.
Admission is HK$30 for adults and HK$10 for children, with free entry for children under 3 and seniors 65+. Morning admission tickets are HK$10, and a Super Pass for unlimited entry is HK$88. Tourists can purchase concession tickets at HK$20. E-tickets are available via The Club, 01 Space, 7-Eleven App, AlipayHK, Alipay, and Octopus app. More information is available at the Hong Kong Sports and Leisure Expo website and the World of Snacks website.
