Hong Kong's West Kowloon Cultural District on Friday launched its inaugural “WestK Picnic Fest”, taking place over four consecutive weekends and public holidays from Sept 18 to Oct 11, at the Harbourside East Lawn in Art Park.
Timed with major highlights, including the Mid-Autumn Festival, the “Golden Week” National Day break and the Hong Kong Cyclothon to be held at WestK, the festival features limited-edition picnic sets from 16 participating WestK tenants, newly-introduced picnic essentials rental services and a “Bike & Picnic Pass.”
The festival, which brings together specialty market food stalls, live music and themed workshops, draws on WestK’s blend of arts and culture, expansive greenery and spectacular waterfront views, inviting locals and visitors alike to enjoy an all-day outdoor retreat.
“As people place increasing emphasis on well-being and the quality of life, picnicking has evolved from a simple outdoor activity to lifestyle experiences that blend food, social interaction, nature and culture together,” said Betty Fung, chief executive officer of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority.
With its stunning Victoria Harbour waterfront, expansive green spaces, diverse dining offerings and rich cultural programs, WestK is uniquely positioned to host the WestK Picnic Fest, offering visitors a new way to enjoy the district and seamlessly combining exhibitions, performances, dining, recreation and waterfront leisure in a single visit, she said.
To enhance the picnic experience, WestK has introduced a new range of WestK-branded picnic essentials rental services, offering convenient access to various picnic items, including foldable chairs for adults and children, picnic tables, picnic mats, portable fans, and picnic lanterns, with rental rates at HK$40 ($5.12) to HK$50.
Responding to the growing trend of slow living, reconnecting with nature and prioritizing wellbeing, WestK has partnered with current tenant and bicycle brand tokyobike hk to launch the limited-time Bike & Picnic Pass. Priced at HK$348, the Bike & Picnic Pass combines bicycle rental, picnic mat and lantern redemption, themed workshop experiences, and exclusive merchant offers, inviting visitors to cycle along the Victoria Harbour waterfront and explore WestK’s vibrant arts and cultural spaces.
For the first time, WestK is partnering with The Picnic Club to present a series of workshops and experience sessions under the theme “Localization”, celebrating natural aesthetics and slow living. Highlights include the Farm-to-Table Experience Workshop in collaboration with local coffee brand NUTMAD, which explores sustainable food culture and local agricultural development through seasonal local ingredients.
Adding to the festive atmosphere, WestK Picnic Fest brings the Art Park to life with live music and interactive performances from live bands and vocalists to sophisticated jazz performances. A highlight is the DJ x Bubble Party on Sept 19 and Oct 4 afternoons – a family-friendly show that combines upbeat music with bubbles, creating a fun and interactive outdoor party experience.
Contact the writer at shamim@chinadailyhk.com
