The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) launched the 36th Hong Kong Book Fair, the 9th Sports and Leisure Expo, and the 6th World of Snacks on July 15, 2026, at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC). The three events will run concurrently for seven days until July 21, offering a single ticket that grants access to all three fairs, combining reading, sports, leisure, and global snacks. This integrated approach aims to create a vibrant summer destination for both residents and tourists, reinforcing Hong Kong's role as a cultural and recreational hub.
At the opening ceremony, Cheuk Wing-hing, Acting Chief Secretary for Administration of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, officiated and delivered the opening address, while Professor Frederick Ma, HKTDC Chairman, provided welcome remarks. Professor Ma emphasized the Book Fair's significance as one of Asia's most influential cultural events, highlighting this year's theme: 'Reading the World: Cultural Legacy | Joyful Journeys.' The theme encourages readers to explore global history, culture, and lifestyles through literature. The Book Fair features eight seminar series, including the Theme of the Year, Renowned Writers, and English and International Reading, with notable speakers such as Su Tong, Liu Zhenyun, and Bi Feiyu. A new addition is the ASEAN Literary Festival, co-organized with the Hong Kong-ASEAN Foundation, featuring authors like Eka Kurniawan and Clarissa Goenawan to promote cultural exchange.
The Sports and Leisure Expo offers diverse sports experiences, including a themed exhibition by the Hong Kong Sports Institute celebrating its 35th anniversary, showcasing Hong Kong athletes' achievements from past Asian Games. Visitors can participate in interactive challenges like the '35-second Fitness Challenge.' Now TV will broadcast major sporting events on multiple large screens. The Travel & Tourism zone welcomes Turkiye and Korea for the first time, featuring cultural displays, while Thailand returns with a larger presence offering authentic Thai massage sessions. Athlete sharing sessions include appearances by former basketball player Leung Chun-hung and rope skipping champion Wong Tin-yau.
The World of Snacks brings together over 1,300 snacks from nearly 30 countries and regions across six themed zones. Highlights include locally handmade nut butter ice cream from The Nutter Company, healthy snacks from Azure Asia, and traditional pastries from social enterprise TimeTo Gold. Interactive activities such as a black sesame roll making demonstration and a Junior Sommelier Workshop are scheduled. The book fair also features the World of Art & Culture exhibition, sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency, showcasing over 200 books and exhibits. Chinese mainland publishers present around 20,000 publications, with Yunnan as the featured province. The Cultural and Creative Space includes debut exhibitors from Fujian, displaying Dehua porcelain and Shoushan stone carvings. The Hong Kong Jockey Club offers a themed exhibition with interactive sports activities for children and teenagers. csl x HKT education showcases AI and smart products with education offers.
The three fairs collectively host more than 770 exhibitors, creating synergies that enhance the visitor experience. Tickets are priced at HK$30 for adults and HK$10 for children, with concessions for tourists at HK$20. Morning admission tickets are HK$10, and a Super Pass for unlimited entry is HK$88. Special re-entry promotions are available for tickets dated July 15 or 16, allowing free entry after 7pm on select days. The events are expected to significantly boost summer tourism and local engagement, underscoring Hong Kong's position as an international center for cultural exchange and leisure activities.
