For the first time since 2018, Hong Kong’s Central Harbourfront Event Space will be hosting the Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival, which will run from 26 to 29 October 2023.

Organised by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) since its launch in 2009, the festival has become one of the city’s signature mega-events. The first physical edition since the pandemic, the year’s event is set to introduce wines, whiskeys, cocktails, elevated street food and hotel fine dining dishes, including wines from 200-plus wine exhibitors across 36 countries and regions. Some 140,000 visitors are expected during the four-day gourmet event.

A fresh outlook post-pandemic

Despite holding a hybrid event between 2020 and 2022 that involve the option of dining at home or going to specified restaurants, HKTB general manager, event & product development Raymond Chan sees that stop-gap as an entirely different event that could never really replace Wine & Dine’s interactive evening on the harbour.

While a hybrid event occurred from 2020 to 2022, HKTB's Raymond Chan thinks it can never fully replace the actual Wine & Dine harbour experience.

“Wine & Dine has been a central event in Hong Kong for so many years, one that locals and tourists both have waited for. After Covid, the physical event is even more important for them. We’re excited to be back,” said Chan at the press conference announcing the programme.

According to Chan, Wine & Dine is mixing up the regions and countries in the spotlight this year (there will be wines from Moldova, Denmark and Thailand), leaning heavily into emerging trends, such as low-carb alternatives, and highlighting Chinese producers. Eight wine merchants from three regions in China, including Yunnan, Ningxia and Shandong we be available to sample.

What's new at Wine & Dine 2023

Among the new features and initiatives for 2023 is a new pricing scheme that pivots on daily entry fees (HK$20-HK$40) or an all-inclusive Tasting Pass, which gets visitors 14 tokens, redeemable for any food or wine (valued up to $500) for HK$400; HK$200 gets eight tokens.

“In previous editions we had different passes, and if you wanted to try premium wines you had to purchases a special pass” Chan pointed out. “This year we’re going with a flat rate for all exhibitors, and the tokens are easily refillable by cashier or app. We think this will make things more convenient for visitors.”

Wine & Dine will be further complemented with a sister event in November called Taste Around Town.

The event itself adds the Tasting Theatre, which will host workshops and interactive experiences such as master classes with regional superstar chefs, wine and food pairing tips, and a spot for discovering emerging wine trends.

In November, Taste Around Town extends Wine & Dine's offerings. Guests can book thematic menus and cocktails, receive discounts from 300 bars and restaurants. Includes The Bar Show, Chill E.A.T., Sip & Savour, and expanded Chinese Master Chef’s Curation dinners.

A sparkling festive season ahead

The HKTB has been working with trade partners in Southeast Asia, including KTC World Travel Service and CP Holidays in Thailand, Airlink Travel in Malaysia, Golden Rama and Dwidaya in Indonesia, as well as others in China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and Australia. Operators are creating packages that include the festival as an iconic must-do, and with airline partners to promote flight packages with Festival tokens.

“This is a signature event, so a lot of our trade partners are also keen that we’re back. Travel operators in overseas markets will package this themselves – with a hotel and other experiences – and we like to leave that to them,” said Chan.

Wine & Dine kicks off a series of mega-events as Hong Kong aims to regain its status as a top Asia-Pacific travel destination. In November, HKTB is offering HK$100 vouchers for bars and restaurants, plus open-top bus tour discounts to boost Night Vibes. December brings Winterfest and a New Year fireworks countdown, the first in five years.