Six territory-wide carnivals in celebration of traditional festivals were organised during the year. For the major festive days of the Mid-Autumn Festival and the Lunar New Year, the LCSD organised a series of large-scale lantern carnivals and lantern displays. Programme highlights included ethnic songs and dances performed by arts troupes from Shaanxi and Sichuan, sponsored by the Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Affairs Office of the Ministry of Culture. The lantern carnivals also featured elements of intangible cultural heritage, such as a fire dragon dancing parade, traditional handcraft demonstrations by artists from Guangdong and Macao and local masters, and other traditional arts and culture events. The thematic lantern displays and lantern installations were set up outside the Hong Kong Space Museum and in the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza, attracting numerous viewers. A number of Youth Nights were organised during the lantern carnivals, providing platforms for talented young performers.

Dazzling thematic lanterns lit up Victoria Park during the Mid-Autumn Festival.

To strengthen relations between local people and Asian ethnic minorities in the community, an Asian Ethnic Cultural Performances was organised in collaboration with the INSTITUTO CULTURAL do Governo da R.A.E. de Macau and the Consulates-General of Australia, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Korea, Kuwait, Laos, Malaysia, Nepal, the Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam. The LCSD also collaborated with the Consulate-General of the Philippines to organise a Concert in the Park featuring Filipino artists.

A vibrant performance of traditional music and dance by Asian ethnic groups attracted thousands of visitors to the Asian Ethnic Cultural Performances 2016.

Three Community Thematic Carnivals were held in Kwai Tsing, Kwun Tong and Sai Kung during the year.

Two popular platforms for talented young musicians and dancers were the Youth Music and Band Marathon and the Marching Band Parade, in which 36 bands participated this year.

Many talented young artists impressed audiences with their vibrant music throughout the 2017 Youth Music and Band Marathon.

The LCSD sponsored the venue for the 2017 Lunar New Year Temple Fair at the Kowloon Park Piazza and Loggia, which showcased the culture and arts of Sichuan Province. This celebration event for the 20th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region was presented by Hong Kong United Arts Development Centre, the Chinese Culture Friendship Association, the China Friendship Foundation for Peace and Development, the Sichuan Provincial People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, and the Culture, Sports and Tourism Administration of Shenzhen Municipality.

During the year, the LCSD also delivered 625 regular free entertainment programmes in all 18 districts of Hong Kong, for audiences of all ages. These were funded by and organised in collaboration with the District Councils. The performances included both Chinese and Western arts events, such as traditional Cantonese operas, puppet shows, music, dance, magic shows, and family entertainment.

In total, the LCSD organised 647 carnivals, special events and free entertainment programmes in 2016-17, attracting around 1 033 000 people.

An energetic African drumming performance spiced up the Summer Fun Party 2016 at Queen Elizabeth Stadium.