What's on in Hong Kong this Chinese New Year

• This year Hong Kongers will be celebrating the Year of the Horse across the city

• The Chinese New Year holiday falls on February 17, 18 and 19 this year, but there will be plenty going on in the weeks before

• Big ticket events include the Cathay International Chinese New Year Night Parade on February 17 and the Fireworks Display on February 18

Read more: How to give and receive lai see, or 'red packets'

Cathay International Chinese New Year Night Parade

What's on this Chinese New Year - young performers take to the streets at the annual Night Parade (image courtesy Hong Kong Tourism Board)

This annual parade takes place on the first day of Chinese New Year with a blast of dazzling floats and live street performances. Be awed by the vibrant parade with horse-inspired floats accompanied by performances by local and international troupes. The celebrations start at 6pm with a variety of street performances like juggling, magic shows, dancing and live music and continue into the night. The theme this year is ‘Unfold a Year of Good Fortune’, with a parade of more than 50 performers and floats. The parade begins at Hong Kong Cultural Piazza in Tsim Sha Tsui and winds its way along Canton, Haiphong and Nathan Roads, finishing outside Sheraton Hong Kong Hotel & Towers. 

Cathay International Chinese New Year Night Parade, 8 to 9.45pm with pre-parade performances along the route from 6pm, February 17, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon; ticketed seats from $300 available from HKTB’s Kowloon Visitor Centre, Star Ferry Pier, Tsim Sha Tsui.

Chinese New Year Flower Markets

What's on this Chinese New Year - browse the flower markets for colourful blooms (image courtesy Shutterstock)

Flower markets are a popular Chinese New Year event and several spring up around the city in the week leading up to the holiday. The largest at Victoria Park boasts more than 300 vibrant stalls where visitors can enjoy festive snacks, gifts, fruit and thousands of colourful blooms. (And if you’re looking for flowers, don’t miss a trip to Prince Edward Flower Market where stalls will be stacked with blooms, decorations, handicrafts and treats). Entrance to Victoria Flower Market is free and this year the market runs from February 11 to 17. Fourteen more market venues include:

Kowloon

Cheung Sha Wan Playground, Sham Shui Po

Fa Hui Park, Sham Shui Po

Kwun Tong Recreation Ground, Kwun Tong

To Kwa Recreation Ground, Kowloon City

New Territories

Kwai Chung Sports Ground, Kwai Tsing

Po Hong Park, Tseung Kwan O

Sha Tsui Road Playground, Tsuen Wan

Shek Wu Hui Playground, North District

Tin Hau Temple Fung Shui Square, Tai Po

Tin Hau Temple Plaza, Tuen Mun

Tung Tau Industrial Area Playground, Yuen Long

Yuen Wo Playground, Sha Tin

Outlying Islands

Tat Tung Road Garden, Tung Chung

Lion Dances

What's on this Chinese New Year - lion dancers will be embracing good fortune (image courtesy Shutterstock)

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 restaurants 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.

Lunar New Year Fireworks Display

What's on this Chinese New Year - welcome the new year with a bang (image courtesy Hong Kong Tourism Board)

Enjoy this huge firework display from both sides of Victoria Harbour. This event takes place on the second day of Chinese New Year (February 18) and is the highlight of Hong Kong's Chinese New Year celebrations. The show features more than thousands of fireworks exploding over the harbour. The best vantage points include Tsim Sha Tsui, Mid-Levels, Central, Wan Chai, Causeway Bay, East Coast Park Precinct in Fortress Hill and Hung Hom Bypass. 

Lunar New Year Fireworks Display, 8pm, January 30, Victoria Harbour; viewing is free.

Lam Tsuen Wishing Tree Festival

What's on this Chinese New Year - make a wish for the Year of the Horse (image courtesy Hong Kong Tourism Board)

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.

Lam Tsuen Wishing Tree Festival, 9am ‘til late, February 17 to March 3, Lam Tsuen Wishing Square, Tai Po, New Territories; entrance is free.