Introduction

The Jiao Festival of Cheung Chau was officially inscribed onto the third national list of intangible cultural heritage in 2011. Since the revival of the bun scrambling contest of Cheung Chau in 2005, the annual Bun Carnival has been well received by the public. The wide range of programmes, including the Selection Contest for the Bun Scrambling Competition, the Climbing Carnival and the Bun Scrambling Competition, attract tens of thousands of local and international visitors each year. The Bun Scrambling Competition has in particular been the focus of attention and is now one of the most iconic traditional festive events in Hong Kong. It not only helps boost Cheung Chau’s local economy and promote climbing sports but also contributes to the promotion of Hong Kong’s tourism industry.

The 2026 Bun Carnival to be staged at the soccer pitch of Pak Tai Temple Playground, Cheung Chau from 12 April to 25 May 2026 is jointly organised by the Hong Kong Cheung Chau Bun Festival Committee and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, in association with the Cheung Chau Wai Chiu County Association Limited, the Cheung Chau Rural Committee, the Islands District Office of the Home Affairs Department and the Hong Kong, China Mountaineering and Climbing Union. Sponsored by Otsuka Pharmaceutical (H.K.) Ltd., Vita Green Health Products Co Ltd. and Watsons Water, the carnival aims to familiarise the public with the bun scrambling tradition and local customs.

The programme of the 2026 Bun Carnival is packed with a variety of interesting activities, including training sessions, Selection Contest and Final of the Bun Scrambling Competition, as well as a Climbing Carnival. The Climbing Carnival is an opportunity for the public to enjoy the fun of bun tower climbing. Activities include stall games, handicraft making, variety show, climbing demonstrations and fun day, as well as display of winning entries in the Drawing Competitions for Students. Climbing training will be provided for participants of the Bun Scrambling Competition. In addition to the individual event, an invitation relay will be organised for local groups in Cheung Chau to compete against climbing athletes from neighbouring areas.

The e-copies of the winning entries of the Drawing Competitions for Students 2025 have been uploaded to the Digital Collection of Hong Kong Public Libraries.

Click here to view the winning entries of the Drawing Competitions for Students 2025

The activities of the 2026 Bun Carnival are as follows: