Hong Kong residents and Chinese mainland tourists alike have immersed themselves in National Day celebrations across the city, taking in sightseeing, Wednesday evening’s spectacular fireworks display and enjoying special concessions for public transport, amusement and dining.

Activities marking the 76th anniversary of the nation’s founding are being held throughout the special administrative region, with thousands of shops, in collaboration with the SAR government, offering bargains worth hundreds of millions of dollars.

The traditional highlights of the National Day joy include free rides on the Mass Transit Railway, ferries and trams, free admission to museums and public sports facilities, as well as half-priced movie tickets and discounts at thousands of restaurants and shopping malls. Many districts also host National Day galas or carnivals to entertain residents.

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A Hong Kong resident, surnamed Ng, and his family were already at the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront as early as 11am to secure front row seats for a better view of the fireworks show due to start at 8pm. Fully armed with food and snacks for the evening, Ng said it’s an annual tradition for his family and it would be a good atmosphere to watch the fireworks with the crowds.

This year’s eight-part display, featuring 31,880 fireworks, will last 23 minutes. In the fourth part, six pandas, including the locally-born panda twins, will be featured.

By noon, vantage points along the Tsim Sha Tsui promenade – from the Star Ferry pier to the Avenue of Stars that offers the best viewing spots for the display – had been filled with erected tripods.

A mainland tourist, surnamed Lin, and his girlfriend were among the crowds. They planned to take a stroll from Tsim Sha Tsui to Yau Ma Tei in the morning and then return to the Tsim Sha Tsui harborfront for the fireworks display.

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Alex Wong, 62, said he was thrilled with the National Day festivities, seeing the crowds and the festive vibe. But, he planned only to have his lunch before leaving for Huizhou, Guangdong province, and Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region.

This year’s eight-day National Day “golden week” on the mainland – from Oct 1-8 -- also takes in the Mid-Autumn Festival. On the Mid-Autumn Festival on Oct 6, a fire dragon dance – a century-old cultural attraction and intangible cultural heritage of Hong Kong -- will be staged in Southern District, making its way from Pok Fu Lam Village to Wah Fu Estate as a traditional part of the festival to pray for peace and residents’ well-being.

Andy Chong and Parker Zheng contributed to the story.