There's heaps of events to enjoy in and around the city as Hong Kong ushers in the Year of the Snake
Enjoying traditional lion dancing at the New Year Night Parade hosted by Hong Kong Tourism Board (image courtesy Hong Kong Tourism Board)
Chinese New Year, or Lunar New Year, is one of the most important dates of Hong Kong’s calendar. Officially, Chinese New Year lasts for three days but celebrations spill into the previous and following weeks. To usher in the Year of the Snake in Hong Kong, there will be plenty of events taking place around the city. Here are some of the best family friendly events to celebrate Chinese New Year in Hong Kong.
Lam Tsuen Wishing Tree Festival
The Lam Tsuen Wishing Trees are a popular shrine located near to the 18th century Tin Hau Temple in Lam Tsuen. Visitors should write their wishes on joss paper and throw them into the trees, the higher the better. Legend maintains that if your wish catches onto a branch, it will come true. In addition to the wishing trees, floats from the Cathay International Chinese New Year Night Parade will be on display in Lam Tseun Wishing Square from January 30 to February 13. There will also be live street performances on January 30 and 31.
Lam Tsuen Wishing Tree Festival, January 29 to February 12, Lam Tsuen Wishing Square, Tai Po, New Territories.
Chinese New Year Flower Markets
Beautiful blooms at this year's Chinese New Year flower market at Victoria Park
Colourful flower markets spring up throughout the territory up to a week before Chinese New Year featuring auspicious flowers such as orchids, chrysanthemums, peach blossom, pussy willow and naricssus. One of the largest and most popular markets takes place in Victoria Park. This event opens on January 23 and runs until January 29, boasting more than 380 stalls selling food, flowers and festive souvenirs. And of course don’t miss a trip to Prince Edward Flower Market where stalls will be stacked with blooms, decorations, handicrafts and treats.
Chinese New Year Flower Markets, various villages and town squares throughout Hong Kong; plus Victoria Park, Causeway Bay, and Prince Edward Flower Market, Kowloon.
Lion Dances
Watch - and listen - out for the many dragon and lion dances that take place throughout the city during the Chinese New Year period. The colourful creatures wind their way along alleys and streets and through parks and shops, dancing to clashing cymbals and banging drums to banish evil spirits and encourage prosperity and good fortune for the new year. The dances take place anywhere and everywhere, from streets and town squares to resataurants and office spaces. Top lion dance-watching spots across town include Central Market, Citygate Outlets, Elements, Harbour City, Festival Walk, IFC mall, Pacific Place, Lee Gardens, Lee Tung Avenue, Langham Place and Megabox.
Lee Tung Avenue
More than 800 lanterns adorn Lee Tung Avenue for the Year of the Snake
Popular Lee Tung Avenue in Wan Chai transforms into a sea of red and gold as it puts on its annual lantern showcase. More than 800 lantern will be suspended over the pedestrianised avenue. Visitors can also take in Chinese New Year themed decorations and installations and the area will be hosting staged Lion Dances on the first four days of the new year as well as a Lion Dance Spectular on February 7. The lanterns will remain on display until March 5, so there's plenty of time to enjoy them.
Lee Tung Avenue, 200 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai, until March 5.
Discovery Bay Chinese New Year Market
Head over to Discovery Bay Plaza for Chinese New Year decorations, gifts, homewares and food. Stalls are held by local Hong Kong artisans offering Hong Kongers a great opportunity to 'shop local' for the new year festivities. Joing this community event to get the Year of the Snake off to a fun start.
Discovery Bay Chinese New Year Market by Handmade Hong Kong, Discovery Bay Plaza, Discovery Bay, 11am to 6pm, January 19.
Times Square Lucky Chessland
A chess board of auspicious sculptures and blooms at Times Square
Times Square has unveiled a giant auspicious chess board with lucky wishing trees. The. Open Piazza at Time Square has transformed into a huge chessboard with a series of lifesize Chinese New Year talismans, such as windmills, ponies, bouquets and more, inspired by the worlds of Japanese illustrator Master Heisuke Kitazawa. The lucky pink and red festive board houses four zones including Fortune Chess Pieces, Flourish Windmills, Fairy Ponies and Fabled Wishing Trees. Inside the mall, discover eight maneki-nekos (a popular Japanese figurine believed to bring good luck) lazing around the atrium and food forum with stacks of gold coins. Snap a shot for a properous new year.
Times Square Lucky Chessland, until February 16, Open Piazza, Atrium (2/F) and Food Forum (10/F). Times Square, Causeway Bay.
Lunar New Year Fireworks Display
Enjoy the second major new year’s firework display of the month on both sides of Victoria Harbour. This event takes place on the second day of Chinese New year. This is the highlight of Hong Kong's Chinse New Year celebrations and takes place from 8pm lasting for just over 20 minutes. The show features more than 23,000 fireworks as well as a new LED light show from HSBC's main building and Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre.
Lunar New Year Fireworks Display, 8pm, January 30, Victoria Harbour.
Cathay International Chinese New Year Night Parade
Enjoy performances from across China at the Hong Kong Tourism Board's Night Parade (image courtesy Hong Kong Tourism Board)
This annual carnival parade takes place on the first day of the holiday, which this year falls on January 29. The annual event is organised by the Hong Kong Tourism Board with Cathay as the main sponsor for the 23rd year. This year the theme is Unfold a Year of Good Fortune, with a parade combining more than 50 international performers and Hong Kong-themed floats. The parade begins at the Hong Kong Cultural Piazza, working its way down Canton, Haiphong and Nathan Roads before arriving at Sheraton Hong Kong Hotel & Towers. Pre-parade entertainment includes juggling, magic shows, dancing and live music. Ticketed seats are priced from $300 and are available from 8am on January 11 at HKTB's Kowloon Visitor Centre, Star Ferry Pier, Tsim Sha Tsui.
Cathay International Chinese New Year Night Parade, 8 to 9.45pm with pre-parade performances along the route from 6pm, January 29 Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon.
Kai Tak Outdoor Market
Celebrate Lunar New Year at what is fast becoming Hong Kong's hottest 'new' destination. The market will be held at the brand new Kai Tak Main Stadium with stalls, flowers and lion dance performances. The check-in area is next to the stadium with the oppportunity to take photos of the event's wishing tree with the stadium in the background. Cross a flower-festooned prayer bridge and into the market; when you spend more than $100 you will receive a wishing card to hang on the wishing wall. Lion dance and busking performances will take place throughout the event.
Kai Tak Outdoor Market (walk towards Dorsett Kai Tak Hotel, Exit D at Sung Wong Tai MTR station); noon to 8pm; January 27 to February 2, February 7 to 9 and February 14 to 16.
Garden of Woven Delights, Pacific Place and Starstreet Precinct
It took artist Zoe Siu more than 300 hours to create the Chinese knot installations
Immerse yourself in the festive spirit and be wowed by the stunning, woven installations created by celebrated Hong Kong knot designer, Zoe Siu. Each installation around the mall features a series of eye-catching rope art sculptures; such is the scale of the project, it took Siu and her team around 300 hours of meticulous work to complete the weavings. Lucky knot charms can be redeemed when spending $500 or more. The mall will also be hosting new year eye-dotting ceremony and lion dance parades on at 1pm on February 4.
Pacific Place, 10am to 10pm, until February 16.
Lunar New Year Fireworks Display
Enjoy the second major new year’s firework display of the month on both sides of Victoria Harbour. This event takes place on the second day of Chinese New year. This is the highlight of Hong Kong's Chinse New Year celebrations and takes place from 8pm lasting for just over 20 minutes. The show features more than 23,000 fireworks as well as a new LED light show from HSBC's main building and Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre.
Lunar New Year Fireworks Display, 8pm, January 30, Victoria Harbour.
Sha Tin Races
Sha Tin Racecourse hosts a major horse racing event on the third day of Chinese New Year. Enjoy live racing, lion dance performances, a variety show and music as the new year is welcomed in.
Sha Tin Races, January 31, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Sha Tin Racecourse, Sha Tin, New Territories.
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