By Harry Nara · Last updated
- Opening dayWednesday 14 July 2027
- Last dayTuesday 20 July 2027
- Where
- Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre
- Tickets
- Ticketed
- Time of year
- July
- Dates
- Around the same dates every year
Wednesday 14 to Tuesday 20 July 2027 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, on the organiser’s own site. Hours and prices are announced nearer the time: in 2026 an adult paid HK$30 and a child HK$10, anyone entering before noon paid HK$10, and the fair ran from 10am to 10pm on most days. In 2025 a typhoon shut it for much of a day.
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The Hong Kong Book Fair fills the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai for a week in mid-July with publishers, discounted books, author talks and very long queues. Most of what is on sale is in Chinese, but the fair runs an English and international seminar series, and the sight of a whole city queuing for books in the July heat is worth a ticket in itself. Tickets cost a few tens of Hong Kong dollars, entry before noon is the cheapest, and one ticket also covers the sports expo and snack fair held alongside.
What Hong Kong Book Fair actually is
The fair is run by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and has been held every summer for more than thirty years. Publishers from Hong Kong and abroad sell at discount across several halls, and popular authors sign for queues that wind through the building.
Around the stands runs a programme of seminars and talks, with a series in English given by visiting authors, and exhibitions on a theme that changes every year. The same ticket opens the Sports and Leisure Expo and World of Snacks in the neighbouring halls.
It falls in the hottest weeks of the year and in typhoon season. In a recent year a typhoon shut the fair for much of a day, and the organisers opened earlier and closed later on the days that followed to make up for it.
Inside the fair
- The main halls. Publishers’ stands, discounts and the season’s bestsellers. They are the most crowded part of the fair, and calmest early in the day.
- The seminar rooms. Author talks and readings through the week, including the English and international series. Check the programme, and arrive early for the well-known names.
- Children’s books and family talks. A seminar series for children and young readers runs alongside the stands, and these corners are busiest at weekends, when schools are out.
Tickets and what it costs
In a recent year an adult ticket cost HK$30 and a child’s HK$10, and anyone entering before noon paid HK$10, which makes the morning both the cheapest and the calmest time to go. Concession, re-entry and tourist tickets are sold too; the card above gives the figures.
One ticket admits you to the Book Fair, the Sports and Leisure Expo and World of Snacks under the same roof, so a family can split up and meet again without paying twice.
Many stands discount heavily, so bring a bag with room in it; books are heavy to carry back across the harbour.
Official information and booking: hkbookfair.hktdc.com/en
Getting there
The Convention and Exhibition Centre stands on the Wan Chai waterfront. Exhibition Centre station on the East Rail Line is closest, Wan Chai station on the Island Line connects by covered footbridges, and the Star Ferry crosses from Tsim Sha Tsui to the Wan Chai pier beside the venue.
Queues form outside before opening on the first days and at weekends, in heat above 30°C. Go on a weekday morning, carry water, and keep the time spent waiting in the sun short.
Mistakes worth avoiding
Arriving at midday on a weekend
That is when the queues are longest. Weekday mornings are cheaper and calmer.
Expecting mostly English books
Most stock is in Chinese. Come for the spectacle and the English-language talks.
Ignoring the typhoon signals
A typhoon can shut the fair for a day. Check the Observatory before you set out.
Buying a ticket for each fair
One ticket covers the Book Fair, the sports expo and the snack fair in the same building.
Other Hong Kong events
Frequently asked questions
When is the Hong Kong Book Fair?
For a week in mid-July at the Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai; the dates card above shows this year’s.
How much is a Hong Kong Book Fair ticket?
An adult ticket cost HK$30 in a recent year and a child’s HK$10, with entry before noon at HK$10 for anyone. The card above has the figures.
Are there English books at the Hong Kong Book Fair?
Some, but most stock is in Chinese. The fair runs an English and international seminar series with visiting authors, which is the best reason to go if you do not read Chinese.
How do I get to the Hong Kong Book Fair?
Exhibition Centre station on the East Rail Line is closest; Wan Chai station on the Island Line and the Star Ferry pier in Wan Chai are short walks.
What is the best time to visit the Hong Kong Book Fair?
A weekday morning. Entry before noon is the cheapest, and the halls are usually calmer then than in the afternoon or at weekends.
Sources
- HKTDC Hong Kong Book Fair, official site
- RTHK, on a recent fair’s dates and ticket prices
- The Standard, on the seminar series and the combined ticket
Dates on this page are checked against the organiser’s own listing and confirmed through 2027. Written and maintained by Harry Nara.