What freebies can you get on July 1? Everything you need to know about Hong Kong’s handover anniversary perks

District community groups are joining the government’s efforts to promote the day by holding a variety of celebratory events, including drawing contests, stand-up comedy shows, Cantonese opera performances, light shows and neighbourhood carnivals.

Here, the Post gives details of the special offers related to the anniversary.

Transport

• Free rides on trams from July 1 to 5

• Free rides on Star Ferry’s Tsim Sha Tsui-Wan Chai route on July 1

• Free ferry rides on the Central-Hung Hom route operated by Fortune Ferry

• Free rides on the water taxi connecting Tsim Sha Tsui East, Wan Chai, Central and West Kowloon operated by Fortune Ferry

• Passengers whose birthday falls on July 1 can take the Tuen Mun-Tung Chung-Sah Lo Wan-Tai O and North Point-Kwun Tong-Kai Tak ferry routes for free

• Children under 11 years can ride free on about 450 routes serviced by KMB and its sister Long Win Bus on July 1 and 2

• Free rides on light rail trains and buses operated by the MTR Corporation on July 1, except for the latter operating along the East Rail line

• Lucky draws on July 1 organised by the MTR Corp, with 71,000 tickets and 26 annual passes for the city’s railway to be won

Leisure activities

• Free admission to public swimming pools and other leisure facilities run by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department on July 1

• Free admission to the Hong Kong Wetland Park on July 1

• Twelve properties under the Revitalising Historic Buildings Through Partnership Scheme will offer additional free guided tours and workshops, as well as food and drink offers on July 1 or a nearby date

Arts and culture

• Free admission to the permanent exhibitions at the Science Museum and Space Museum, except for the Space Theatre’s shows

• Free admission to special exhibitions at various public museums, including the Heritage Museum, Science Museum and Museum of Art

• Free admission to M+ and seven thematic exhibitions of the Hong Kong Palace Museum in the West Kowloon Cultural District

Food

• A 29 per cent discount will be offered on designated items from 1,500 restaurants on July 1

• Participating restaurants include many bars and eateries in Lan Kwai Fong in Central, the Cafe de Coral fast food chain, Tai Cheong Bakery, Kam Kee cha chaan teng or Chinese tea houses, Forum Restaurant Ah Yat Abalone

• A 29 per cent discount on designated products from the Fish Marketing Organisation and the Vegetable Marketing Organisation on the Local Fresh mobile app from July 1 to 7

• The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department will put on a bazaar in Stanley on July 1 and 2 with free-of-charge admission, featuring food and shopping, as well as song and dance performances

Shopping

• Promotional sales from Pricerite, Indigo Living, Japan Home Centre, Meyer, Simmons, department store chain Wing On and Sogo from June 30 to July 13

Other special offers

• Smart luggage tag with baggage arrival notification function will be distributed to travellers in the terminal building of Hong Kong International Airport on July 1

• Residents can earn additional points when they recycle via the GREEN@COMMUNITY network, or use smart recycling bins for food waste from July 1 to 31

• Telecoms firm CSL Mobile to give away 5G roaming passes covering the Asia-Pacific region, and a five-day SIM card to travellers

Other community celebratory activities

• Workshops and an exhibition to promote the art of Chinese paper cutting from June 22 to July 9 at Pacific Place, Admiralty

• Wong Tai Sin food festival from June 22 to 26 at Wong Tai Sin Square

• Multi-ethnic carnival at Wong Tai Sin Square from 2pm to 5pm on the anniversary

• Tai Po Waterfront Park carnival and drone show at night on July 1

• Open-roof double-decker bus parade from 3.30pm to 5.30pm in Eastern district on July 2

• Parent-child carnival featuring stage performances and games at Sha Tsui Road Playground from 1pm to 6pm on July 15 in Tsuen Wan

• Golden Oldies concert on July 15 at Tsuen Wan Town Hall

• Xiqu Centre will hold a Latin dance night on July 22

Celebratory activities by the Hong Kong Celebrations Association

The association comprises various pro-establishment groups and is headed by Tam Kam-kau, member of Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, the nation’s top consultation body.

• Free exhibitions featuring three mainland Chinese provinces – Shaanxi, Liaoning, and Shandong – will be held from June 30 to July 2 in Victoria Park, Causeway Bay

• The Shaanxi exhibition offers the chance to try on Chinese traditional costumes, make fans, and see ceramic sculptures

• Liaoning exhibitors will highlight the province’s industrial development, as it used to be the mainland’s hub for heavy industry

• The Shandong show will showcase Confucius, who was born in the region, offering themed products for sale

• A parallel exhibition will feature the technological advances of companies based in neighbouring mainland cities and Macau