Hong Kong’s Sardine Festival is about far more than fish: what to know about Central’s celebration of Portuguese culture

For just 4 nights at the end of August, the Central Harbourfront will be transformed into a Portuguese playground, complete with egg tarts, piri-piri chicken, fado music and, yes, sardines

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Hong Kong Sardine Festival will will bring a taste of Portugal to the heart of Hong Kong. Here, grilled sardines are served on a brown earthenware plate. Photo: Handout

Gavin Yeung

Published: 10:15am, 17 Aug 2024

For four days this month, Hong Kong Island’s harbourfront is set to become a fully fledged slice of the Lusosphere as the Sardine Festival makes its debut. Scheduled from August 29 to September 1, the celebration of all things Portugal promises to bring the flavours and festive atmosphere of Lisbon’s Festas dos Santos Populares to the heart of Central.

Egg tarts (pastéis de nata in Portuguese) will be a key feature of the Sardine Festival. Photo: Handout

Taking place at the AIA Vitality Park in the shadow of the Hong Kong Observation Wheel, the Sardine Festival spotlights the humble namesake fish, which holds a revered place in Portuguese culinary tradition, having been caught and feasted on since the times of the Roman Empire.

Expect grilled sardines aplenty – a staple of Portuguese street festivals – alongside other traditional delicacies such as piri-piri chicken, pastéis de nata and caldo verde. The culinary offerings will be complemented by Portuguese wines, including (but not limited to) a comprehensive range of the Iberian nation’s most well-known liquid export, port wine. Wine connoisseurs can also sign up for a Porto wine tour where attendees can sample all that the Douro Valley has to offer.

Portuguese fado singer Cuca Roseta will be performing at the Sardine Festival in Hong Kong. Picture: @cucaroseta/Instagram

Adding to the festivities are live performances by Portuguese artists, including fado singer Cuca Roseta, and sets by top Lisboeta DJs, who aim to recreate the lively atmosphere of a Portuguese street party. This cultural exchange comes at a time when Hong Kong is eager to reaffirm its status as a global city following years of pandemic-related restrictions.

The local Portuguese community has a rich history, dating back to the mid-19th century, when many families migrated from Macau. By the 1860s, the Portuguese were an integral part of Hong Kong society, often serving as intermediaries between the British colonial rulers and the local Chinese population. They established significant social and cultural institutions, such as Club Lusitano in 1866 and Club de Recreio in 1906, which provided venues for recreational activities and community gatherings.

Piri piri chicken will be on the menu at the Sardine Festival. Photo: Handout

Despite their relatively small numbers today, the Portuguese have left an indelible mark on the city’s cultural landscape, with the Sardine Festival being just the latest addition to this history.

Opening night tickets include dinner; on any other day, ticket holders can redeem a glass of wine or beer.