There will be a slew of Hong Kong discounts and freebies available as part of the public holiday on July 1. Residents can enjoy free transportation rides, museum visits, and dining discounts to celebrate the occasion. Chief executive John Lee unveiled the details on June 11 as part of the upcoming festivities.
Last year, the MTR held a lucky draw to give away 71,000 free single-ride passes and 26 annual passes. The public also enjoyed free transportation rides and entry to recreational attractions such as museums. Keep reading to find out what’s on offer this year.
Enjoy a wave of Hong Kong discounts and freebies on July 1
For this year’s celebrations, all trams, MTR light rail rides, and trips on New Territories bus routes will be free. Meanwhile, children aged between three and 11 will also enjoy free MTR rides. The children and the elderly will also be able to enjoy discounted tickets on the Peak Tram during the holiday.
In addition, the public will have free access to regular exhibitions in various museums including the Science Museum, Museum of Art, and M+. All exhibitions at the Hong Kong Palace Museum will be free. Other government-run indoor and outdoor creational venues will also not charge entry fees.
Meanwhile, there will be additional free guided tours, consumption, and accommodation offers from late June to the end of July for the 13 projects under the Revitalising Historic Buildings Through Partnership Scheme.
Several shopping malls and markets will host their own activities and promotions like Cyberport Mall and Aberdeen Market. Even the Hong Kong International Airport will roll out its own offers. Meanwhile, food and beverage outlets will also offer dining discounts.

Celebratory events and offers from June to August
While there will be dedicated discounts on July 1, the government will also host a series of events and offers from June to August. For instance, in late June, there will be a dessert bazaar in Wong Tai Sin and a variety show in the North District, all leading up to the 27th-anniversary festivities.
In July, there will be several flag-raising ceremonies in addition to a gala show, singing contest, and well-being carnival. Celebrations continue in August with Cantonese opera performances in Yau Tsim Mong.
Hong Kong discounts and freebies you can’t miss
Free or discounted transport services
- Kids aged three to 11 will enjoy free rides. Light rail and MTR buses will also have free services for all passengers
- There will be free tram rides for all passengers around Hong Kong Island
- The public can ride the Star Ferry for free for routes going from Tsim Sha Tsui and Wan Chai and vice versa
- Fortune Ferry will offer 2,000 ferry vouchers. Half of those will be for routes between Central and Hung Hom while the rest will be for North Point to Kwun Tong or Kai Tak routes. Moreover, those with birthdays on July 1 can take the Tuen Mun-Tung Chung-Sha Lo Wan-Tai O and North Point-Kwun Tong-Kai Tak routes for free
- Ngong Ping 360 will offer 73 per cent off on round-trip Standard Cabin cable car tickets for child and senior
Free entry to museums
- Enjoy free admission to all the general exhibitions at the M+ Museum and thematic exhibitions at the Hong Kong Palace Museum
- All permanent exhibitions at LCSD-run museums such as the Hong Kong Science Museum and Hong Kong Space Museum will be free of charge. The Hong Kong Museum of Art’s special exhibition on the Hong Kong Jockey Club will also be free. There are other museums to visit including Hong Kong Heritage Museum Railway Museum, and more. Check out our list of unmissable museums in Hong Kong.
Free or discounted admissions
- Government-run indoor and outdoor creational venues will also not charge entry fees including the Hong Kong Wetland Park
- Free use of LCSD leisure facilities such as badminton courts, tennis courts, public swimming pools, and water sports centres
- Ocean Park will offer a 30 per cent discount on their All Day Delight ticket between June 29 and July 1
Visit the official website to browse the full list of offers and events.
All images credit: Alison Pang/Unsplash
(The information in this article is accurate as on the date of publication.)