Lunar New Year in Hong Kong: fireworks, parades and festive fairs return for Year of the Dragon
- Where to go, what to see as city celebrates first Lunar New Year since pandemic restrictions ended
- Big crowds expected to watch Tsim Sha Tsui parade and 23-minute fireworks display at Victoria Harbour
This year’s festival is especially significant as it is the first since the city ended its Covid-19 pandemic restrictions last year.
The Post lists some of the offerings in store as Hong Kong ushers in the Year of the Dragon.
Festive markets
These lively, bright fairs are a must-visit for Hongkongers stocking up on flowers, decorations and other festive goods ahead of Lunar New Year’s Day which falls on Saturday.
Fifteen government-approved temporary markets opened across the city on February 4 and will stay in business until 7am on Saturday. The largest one, at Victoria Park in Causeway Bay, has 377 stalls.
During the pandemic, only flower stalls were allowed. This year, stalls selling festive decorations, souvenirs and other trinkets are back, along with those serving hot food.
Other popular fairs are located in Mong Kok, at Cheung Sha Wan Playground, Morse Park in Wong Tai Sin and Po Hong Park in Tseung Kwan O.
Night Parade at Tsim Sha Tsui
The annual parade sponsored by Hong Kong’s flag carrier, Cathay Pacific Airways, will take place on February 10 from 8pm to 9.45pm.
Apart from nine colourful floats, local and international performing groups from mainland China, Japan, Spain and the United States will make their way through the streets of Tsim Sha Tsui.
Official tickets have sold out, but there will be free viewing along the parade route on Canton, Haiphong and Nathan roads.
Spectators must make sure to get there early to snag a spot and be aware of temporary road closures in the area.
Victoria Harbour Fireworks
The Lunar New Year fireworks at Victoria Harbour will be back for the first time since 2019.
The 23-minute show starts at 8pm on Sunday, the second day of the New Year, with crowds expected along the waterfront to take in the nighttime spectacle.
This year’s show has eight distinctive themes with fireworks to light up the sky in shapes of gold ingots, dragon eggs and other designs.
Horse races and more
The annual Lunar New Year Raceday takes place at the Sha Tin Racecourse on Monday, the third day of the New Year.
Apart from the horse races, there will also be a variety and live music show and special food items on the menu at the Kiosk 2 and Mezza One eateries.
Visitors will receive a special “fortune pen” while stocks last, and a chance to win a gold foil ornament.
The festivities start at 11.15am and go on until evening.
The big football match
A team of Hong Kong players will face a line-up featuring international stars when the Lunar New Year Cup returns for the first time after five years. The match will be held at the Hong Kong Stadium on Tuesday..
The local players will face an international line-up that includes several former World Cup winners. Brazil striker Rivaldo, Italians Francesco Totti and Marco Materazzi, Spain’s Carles Puyol and Argentina’s Juan Sebastian Veron are expected.
On the Hong Kong side, local football legends Fan Chun-yip, Yapp Hung-fai and Man Pei-tak will be part of the team vying for the Cup.
Tickets are priced from HK$180 to HK$980.
Lantern Carnivals 2024
The city’s annual Lunar New Year Lantern Carnivals are back from 6pm to 11pm daily until February 25, promising a display of large-scale lanterns with diverse themes.
At the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza, a large green dragon has been set up, weaving through lanterns and vibrant flowers crafted by well-known paper artist Chan Yiu-wah.
There are also lantern displays and festive riddle games at the Hong Kong Velodrome Park, Tin Shui Wai Park and Ginza Square.
Wan Chai lantern display
Instagram-worthy Lee Tung Avenue in Wan Chai is delivering once again with its Lanterns-Lit Year of the Dragon display.
The street of upscale restaurants and shops has been decorated with a giant eight-meter-long golden dragon installation and hundreds of red lanterns that are lit from 5pm to 11pm daily until March 10.
On February 12, the street will have its own mini parade featuring dance groups from Europe.
Hearts in the air
February 14, the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, is Valentine’s Day, when inflated red hearts will float over Hong Kong as part of the Chubby Hearts arts installation by British fashion designer Anya Hindmarch.
A first in Asia, the show will run until February 24 and includes a giant heart with a diameter of 12 metres floating over Statue Square Gardens in Central.
Smaller hearts will appear at the Flower Market in Mong Kok, the Lam Tsuen Wishing Square in Tai Po and Belcher Bay Promenade in Kennedy Town.
