The annual Hong Kong Reading Festival is back! The 35th Hong Kong Book Fair will be grandly held from July 16 to 22 at the Wan Chai Convention and Exhibition Centre. This year’s theme is Food Culture • Future Living, blending technology, art, and cuisine to bring book lovers a refreshing reading experience. At the same time, alongside Hong Kong Sports and Leisure Expo and Snack World, the fifth Hong Kong Publishing Biennial Awards Awards Ceremony and 20th International Cartoonists Conference will also take place, making Hong Kong a true cultural reading carnival this summer.
With over 770 exhibitors, 620 cultural events, and a variety of themed talks, what are the must-see highlights? ZTYLEZ has carefully curated an enticing summer cultural feast for book lovers, presenting a vibrant package that you won’t want to miss!
The Intersection of Food and the Future
Hong Kong Book Fair 2025
This year, the Hong Kong Book Fair is being held alongside the Hong Kong Sports and Leisure Expo and Snack World, delivering a week-long event filled with over 620 cultural activities. The highlight is undoubtedly World Cultural and Art Gallery’s launch of the Table · Reading special exhibition, featuring eight artists who have crafted distinct dining tables around themes like culinary therapy, sustainability, and table etiquette, complemented by an AI visual interactive experience This is the booking area., recommending related books for the audience.
The eight-part lecture series at the book fair will feature a star-studded lineup of authors, including the long-awaited Lung Ying-tai, Mao Dun Literature Prize winner Xu Zechen, and the fifth-generation heir of the Tai Ping Kuan, Xu Xi’an. They will delve into the profound connections between food and culture from various perspectives.
This year marks the 35th anniversary, celebrating with a range of special offers, including A few close friends discounted tickets, free entry for those born in 1990, and an $88 super fan pass for unlimited admission. Additionally, the Sports and Leisure Expo will introduce FIBA 3×3 World Tour for the first time, along with a National Sports Games display area, blending culture and sports to invigorate the summer. The Snack World will feature 1,300 varieties of global snacks, including Michelin-recommended Bib Gourmand items, satisfying everyone’s cravings.
Witness the achievements of ten years in Chinese publishing
The 5th Hong Kong Publishing Biennial Awards Awards Ceremony
The 5th Hong Kong Publishing Biennial Awards will kick off with an awards ceremony on the opening day of the book fair (July 16), officiated by the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Ms. Rosanna Law, to honor the professional achievements and exceptional works in the Chinese publishing industry. Organized by the Hong Kong Publishing Society and mainly sponsored by the Create Hong Kong Office, Biennial Award has celebrated a decade of excellence, becoming a credible professional award in the Mandarin publishing sphere.
This year, the awards received submissions from 102 qualified local publishers for 421 Chinese entries, showing an increase of over 20% compared to last year. Among them, 38 publishers are participating for the first time, reflecting the ongoing efforts of industry peers to enhance the level of local publishing. The event will present nine categories of Publishing Award and Best Publishing Award, along with six special awards, including Publishing Awards and Outstanding Editor Award, recognizing a total of 90 outstanding works. The nominated works were meticulously selected by a jury of 17 experts and scholars from Chinese-speaking regions through a rigorous and impartial procedure, showcasing the professional standards and cultural depth of Chinese publishing.
The annual grand event in the world of comics is gathering in Hong Kong.
20th International Cartoonist Conference
20th International Cartoonists Conference The International Comic Artist Conference (ICC) will take place from July 24 to 25 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Hosted by the Hong Kong Animation and Comic Federation and significantly sponsored by the Create Hong Kong Office, this event marks a remarkable return for Hong Kong as the host city twelve years after it last held the 14th ICC in 2013.
The conference gathered outstanding cartoonists and creators from eleven countries and regions, including Hong Kong, the mainland, Macau, Taiwan, France, Spain, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, and Indonesia. This year’s theme is A New Wave in Global Manga: Resonating with the New Generation, which will explore how the comic industry can better connect with the new generation of readers in an environment where social media and artificial intelligence are rapidly evolving.
Exciting events, including European Comics Market Forum and Comic New Wave Special Lecture, feature renowned cartoonists such as the author Kwan Chi-kit, and Hong Kong’s first lead cartoonist of Star Wars, Cheng Wai-man, as speakers. Additionally, International Comic Convention (ICE) will be held, showcasing around 400 outstanding comic works from twelve regions, providing a visual feast for comic enthusiasts.
This summer, let’s dive into this cultural festival together, experiencing the multiple joys of reading, enjoying comics, and savoring delicious food, while feeling the vibrant energy of Hong Kong’s cultural industry. Whether you’re a seasoned book lover, a comic enthusiast, or a first-time visitor, you’ll find your own spiritual nourishment and paradise for the soul in this space brimming with knowledge and creativity.
35th Hong Kong Book Fair
Date: July 16 – 22, 2025
Location: Wan Chai Convention and Exhibition Centre
