8th January 2025 – (Hong Kong) The much-anticipated annual Bun Carnival in Cheung Chau is just around the corner, with the thrilling Bun Scrambling Final scheduled to take place at the Pak Tai Temple Playground soccer pitch on the night of 5th May. This event invites physically fit climbers aged 18 and above to showcase their skills.
The Bun Scrambling Competition consists of three stages: training, finalist selection, and the final scramble. Applicants must complete a safety training session on bun tower climbing and fall prevention on 6th April to qualify for the finalist selection on 13th April.
The selection process will feature two rounds. The 24 contestants with the fastest preliminary times, including at least six female participants, will advance to the semi-final, where they will compete for 12 finalist spots (with a minimum of three women).
The 12 finalists will compete in the Bun Scrambling Final, taking place from 11.30pm on 5th May to 12.45am on 6th May. Both male and female competitors will race to collect buns from the tower, each carrying different point values, within a set time. The highest-scoring male and female contestants will emerge as winners, while the participant who collects the most buns will receive the “Full Pockets of Lucky Buns” prize.
To celebrate exceptional achievements, any athlete who has won the competition three times since 2016 will earn the title of “King of Kings” or “Queen of Queens.”
Following the individual competition, the Bun Scrambling Competition Invitation Relay will take place, inviting local Cheung Chau organisations to form three-member teams for the relay race.
Interested participants must complete user registration and identity verification on the SmartPLAY platform, submitting electronic ballot applications from 17th to 28th February via the SmartPLAY website, mobile app (My SmartPLAY), or Smart Self-service Stations. Registration is free, and detailed instructions can be found on the registration page.
The competition has a cap of 200 entrants, with places allocated by ballot. Priority will be given to applicants who live, work, or study in Cheung Chau. More information can be found in the prospectus available on the dedicated 2025 Bun Carnival website.
In addition to the Bun Scrambling Competition, this year’s carnival will feature various activities, including Student Drawing Competitions aimed at local kindergarten and primary school students, highlighting the traditions of the Cheung Chau Jiao Festival.
On 27th April, the Bun Tower Climbing Team Relay will invite local tertiary institutions and organisations to participate, with the public encouraged to attend and support the teams. The afternoon will host a Climbing Carnival featuring bun tower climbing, game stalls, handicraft activities, and variety shows, along with a Wishing Bun Tower showcasing winning drawings from the Student Drawing Competitions.
The 2025 Bun Carnival is organised by the Hong Kong Cheung Chau Bun Festival Committee in collaboration with the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD). For further inquiries, please contact the Islands District Leisure Services Office at 2852 3220 or visit the carnival’s dedicated website.
