Weekender: Lunar New Year Lantern Carnival, DB Farmer’s Market, Pin Yin Panda and more!

Panda power
Kung Fu Panda isn’t the only black-and-white bear in town! Join local author and illustrator team Sarah Brennan and Harry Harrison for the launch and signing of their adorable new book for tots, The Tale of the Pin Yin Panda. There will be a fun story-reading, a wacky quiz, free bookmarks, snacks, drinks and prizes to be won too – just remember to RSVP as seats are limited.

When: 4 February, 2-4pm
Where: Bookazine, Shop 309, Prince’s Building, 10 Chater Road, Central, Hong Kong
How much: Free; RSVP to 2522 1785 or [email protected]
Shine a light
Thought CNY was all over for another year? Think again! Then again, we’re not complaining if it gives us a few more fun activities for the littlies… and the annual Lunar New Year Lantern Carnival always delivers. In addition to the gorgeous giant themed lanterns on display, there will be traditional entertainment for the whole family to enjoy, including folk music, a Mongolian song and dance troupe and a golden dragon parade, plus palm-reading and craft demonstrations too. The first carnival is in Tsuen Wan, the second in Tseung Kwan O and the final one is in Tsim Sha Tsui.

When: 4-6 February, 7.30-10.30pm; lanterns will be on display 3-6 February, 6-11pm
Where: Sha Tsui Road Playground, Tsuen Wan; Po Tsui Park, Tseung Kwan O; Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza, 10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
How much: Free
Celebrate Chinese culture
Get the littlies learning a bit more about traditional Chinese culture with the annual Confucius Carnival. They’ll be seeing in the Year of the Dragon with tonnes of fun-filled activities, including (yet another!) lion dance, a Chinese costume catwalk, martial arts, Chinese opera and orchestra performances, games and much more.

When: 4 February, 2-7pm
Where: Pedestrian zones on Paterson Street, Great George Street, East Point Road and Lockhart Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
How much: Free
Foodies this way!
We’re always bemoaning the lack of locally-grown organic groceries in the supermarkets here – so we couldn’t be more excited about Handmade Hong Kong’s first Farmer’s Market in Discovery Bay! Grab your shopping bag (recyclable of course!) and stock up on fresh and healthy organic produce, grown and baked right in Lantau, plus a delicious range of other locally-made goodies and organic toiletries. Meanwhile, the little ones will be kept entertained with story-telling by Girl Effect HK.

When: 5 February, 10am-2pm
Where: Discovery Bay North Plaza, Discovery Bay, Hong Kong
How much: Free
Join the debate
Sometimes it seems like the most taxing discussion we have all day is what to have for dinner… so how about stimulating those little grey cells at Intelligence Squared Asia’s latest debate, Let The Bad Guys Be: Foreign Intervention Does More Harm Than Good? Leading figures like government consultant Dr Edward Luttwak and Emily Lau, vice-chair of the Hong Kong democratic party, will be having their say on whether countries should meddle in other’s affairs – and you’ll get to weigh in too. Jeremy Paxman, eat your heart out!

When: 6 February, 6:30-8pm
Where: Room S221, Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, 1 Harbour Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
How much: $300, www.hkticketing.com, 3128 8288