Longhua launches holiday carnival featuring magic, tradition

When traditional festivals meet magical fantasy, what kind of sparks will fly? During this year’s National Day–Mid-Autumn Festival holiday, Longhua District is hosting a grand Magic-Themed Carnival organized by Mission Hills Group.

Blending intangible cultural heritage, fashion shows, and cutting-edge light technologies with a core of fantasy magic, the event invites visitors on an immersive holiday journey “where tradition and magic intertwine.” The celebrations run through October 8, across venues including MH Mall, the Eco Sports Park, and MK Maker, which are all transformed into magical wonderlands.

A huge dragon light at the Eco Sports Park. Photos courtesy of Mission Hills Group 

The spotlight falls on the China premiere of “Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience”, now open at Niuhu Waterfront Greenway. Its debut has made Longhua a must-visit destination for Potterheads nationwide. To enrich the experience, Mission Hills Group is rolling out a series of themed activities, such as the Magic World Parade Season and Forest Adventure Expeditions.

During the holiday, the Forest Magic Adventure will recruit 10 families with children aged 5 to 12 to join a day as Hogwarts-style apprentices. Activities include costume-changing transfiguration, pumpkin lantern making, potion experiments featuring the dramatic “Pharaoh’s Snake” chemistry show, and a dodge-disk game inspired by Quidditch. At night, after a themed magical feast, the young wizards will embark on an enchanting forest trek under the stars.

On Oct. 1–2, MH Mall’s atrium will transform into a Magic Theater, hosting a 50-minute immersive magic showcase with performances such as Crazy Music, Fantasy Ball Transformation, Sichuan Opera Face-Changing, and Phantom of the Doves. Magic stalls will also be set up for live demonstrations, product displays, and interactive tricks.

Beyond fantasy, the carnival also highlights cultural traditions. From Oct. 1–3, the GBA Dragon and Lion Dance Carnival will showcase high-stakes pole dancing and booming drum performances, igniting patriotic pride. From Oct. 4–5, the China Tourism Miss/Mister Contest & Autumn-Winter Fashion Show will bring dazzling lights and catwalk glamour, presenting the latest in Shenzhen style. Daily parades, dragon-and-lion heritage markets, street magic, creative crafts, and gourmet stalls will further immerse visitors, alongside a children’s physical challenge event for family fun.

A poster for the GBA Dragon and Lion Dance Carnival. 

Running till Oct. 8, the 2025 Mission Hills Light Festival will light up the Eco Sports Park nightly. Developed by a top-tier team over more than a month, the festival features the longest neon tunnel in Guangdong and a retro Hong Kong-style street. With intricate lighting designs, vibrant installations, and themed scenes, the festival offers a feast for the eyes. Each evening also features over 20 live shows, including traditional iron-flower performances, stunts, bonfire parties, acrobatics, fire juggling, Dunhuang-style dance, and grand Hanfu parades.