One of Hong Kong’s biggest year-end events, the AIA Carnival, is returning to Central Harbourfront from December 22, 2025-March 1, 2026. The 10th edition of the annual extravaganza will have 53 thrilling rides and exciting games, including 10 new additions, as well as the Winter World Circus under the Big Top. Read on to find out all about the rides this year, how much tickets cost, and how you can get to AIA Carnival.
What is AIA Carnival?
AIA Carnival is an annual event held at Central Harbourfront where visitors can experience exhilarating rides, play fun games, check out interactive installations, watch live performances, and catch circus international acts. This year, the carnival will take place from December 22, 2025-March 1, 2026. The opening hours will be 12pm-10pm on Off-Peak days, and 11am-11pm on Standard and Peak Days.
How much are AIA Carnival tickets?
Ticket prices vary based on whether you buy them for Standard, Off-Peak, or Peak Days in the Adults or Concession (children aged 3-11) categories. Each online ticket also comes with a specific number of tokens that are loaded onto a card you can use for rides and games, depending on which category you buy.
| DAYS | ADULT (10 tokens) | CONCESSION (7 tokens) |
| Off-Peak | HK$140 (Gate: HK$160) | HK$95 (Gate: HK$100) |
| Standard | HK$150 (Gate: HK$170) | HK$100 (Gate: HK$100) |
| Peak | HK$160 (Gate: HK$180) | HK$105 (Gate: HK$110) |
You can also add more tokens to your card by paying HK$10 per token at the venue or buying them online at HK$180 for 20 tokens and HK$450 for 50 tokens.
Tickets for The World Circus need to be bought separately, and cost HK$150-HK$575, depending on which day you attend and which section of the tent you book your seats.
What are the rides at AIA Carnival?
Visitors can hop on any of the 26 rides at the carnival for more than their fair share of thrills. Highlights include the new Big Ben Tower, the world’s tallest mobile ride, which ascends 80 metres into the sky and sweeps into a grand circular flight with unparalleled panoramic views of Victoria Harbour. Alongside it are classics like the Pirate Ship and Waltzer, roller coasters such as the Rocking Tug Boat, and kid-friendly options like the Kangaroo Tower and Mini Elephants.
Want to try your luck at winning a toy? Stop by any of the 27 stalls to test your rolling, shooting, tossing, or kicking skills. On top of the classic Ring Toss, Lobster Pot, and Hook A Duck, give it a try at new games like Monster Munch and Sharp Shooter.
What can I see at World Circus under the Big Top?
This year, one of the world’s longest running circuses, Gandeys Circus, will bring acts from Argentina, Portgual, The UniTed Kingdom, Colombia and more to enthrall audiences in Hong Kong. The 60-minute show will feature Motorcross Mavericks, Argentinian Gauchos Outragrous Rollerskaters, Spellbinding Springboard and London Show Girls.
Is AIA carnival kid-friendly?
There are loads of child-friendly rides and attractions for children at AIA Carnival. The Inflatable Slide is generally a fan favourite, as is the Kangaroo Tower and Mini Elephants for younger children. There are height restrictions on the rides so staff can check whether kids can enter and if they need to be accompanied by an adult.
The Community Arena will set the stage for more than 400 professional and local community groups to showcase their talents. Check out a diverse lineup of events, from neon sign making to Chinese rainbow calligraphy workshops, and from singing choirs to instrumental bands. Friday Night Live will feature live performances by local artists, including appearances by Hong Kong’s first Olympic fencer, Lau Kwok Kin, and the festival’s first-ever Zumbathon.
And, of course, there are loads of culinary options to cater to a wide variety of tastes. Sample Hong Kong-style street food from Cheung Chau Cinema, gourmet ice cream from Snack Baby, and sweet treats from Cookie DPT, among others. The highlight will be Blue Girl Dai Pai Dong, which will be transformed into a live stage for Canto-pop parties and performances by Sunken, Tr33, and Canto Disco.
| EVENT | AIA Carnival |
| VENUE | Central Harbourfront Event Space, 9 Lung Wo Road, Central |
| DATES | December 22, 2025-March 1, 2026 |
| WEBSITE | www.aiacarnival.com |
Image credits: AIA Carnival