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Valentine's Day

Newly-wed couples attend a group wedding ceremony ahead of the Qixi Festival in China’s Guizhou province in August 2023. Photo: Getty Images
Chinese culture

Explainer | What is the Qixi Festival? ‘Chinese Valentine’s Day’ explained

Love and tradition run deep during the annual Qixi Festival, a 2,000-year-old event known today as ‘Chinese Valentine’s Day’ that falls on August 10 in 2024. We look at the story, food and more.

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Japan

More Japanese men resist buying White Day gifts: ‘it doesn’t mean anything’

Fame and celebrity

Meet Nicole Scherzinger’s Scottish former rugby player fiancé, Thom Evans

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Hong Kong culture

Opinion | In tough times for Hong Kong, ‘Chubby Hearts’ can give us all a lift

The giant heart-shaped balloons installed around the city, like the giant rubber ducks in Victoria Harbour before them, are more than a seasonal display. They evoke emotions ranging from childlike delight to nostalgia, and are an opportunity to practise gratitude – especially for the city we call home.

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A couple pose with their dog in front of a “Chubby Hearts” installation by fashion designer Anya Hindmarch in Kennedy Town on February 14. Photo: Eugene Lee
Vietnam

‘Please help me, Buddha’: Vietnam’s singles pray for partner on Valentine’s Day

While Valentine’s Day stems from Christianity, Vietnamese have increasingly marked the occasion in recent years, seeking divine intervention in their love lives.

Hong Kong society

‘Chubby Hearts’ arrives in Hong Kong on Valentine’s Day as couples tie the knot

‘It has long been a dream of mine to fly Chubby Hearts over Hong Kong as a surprise to this amazing city,’ designer Anya Hindmarch says.

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Fame and celebrity

6 celebrity couples who got married on Valentine’s Day

According to a survey, two-thirds of American celebrity couples who tied the knot on February 14 before 2020 are divorced … so, is it a good day to get married, or not?

Actors Harrison Ford (L) and Calista Flockhart attend HBO’s Official Golden Globe Awards After Party at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 10, 2016 in Beverly Hills, California. Photo: FilmMagic
Wellness

Sexual healing: experts on the physical and mental benefits of regular sex

Good sex is good for you, says a Hong Kong sex coach: it boosts physical and mental well-being and can even prevent cancer. Experts explain the orgasm and share how to increase your libido.

Fame and celebrity

5 adorable celebrity first dates to warm your heart this Valentine’s Day

From Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds, to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, and Amal and George Clooney – so who got together after a double date?

Hong Kong society

Lunar New Year in Hong Kong: fireworks, parades return for Year of the Dragon

Where to go, what to see as city celebrates first Lunar New Year since pandemic restrictions ended.

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The Lunar New Year fireworks show in 2019. The annual display is set to return after a four-year hiatus. Photo: Martin Chan
Lingerie

16 best lingerie brands to heat up your Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner – whether you’re shopping for yourself or your significant other, these brands boast beautiful bras, panties, sets, slips, robes and more

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Food and Drinks

Steak, oysters, sweet treats: where to eat on Valentine’s Day in Hong Kong

Whether your loved one loves meat, seafood or pasta, we’ve got you covered for Valentine’s Day dinner. If you like to keep things light, consider afternoon tea. Don’t want to go out? Order sweets to pick up.

Hong Kong economy

Dior fashion show and ‘Chubby Hearts’ among events coming to Hong Kong

Three events over next two months will bring in at least 600,000 tourists, says chairman of Mega Arts and Cultural Events Committee Adrian Cheng.

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Style Edit

Style Edit: Classic Omega watches to pair with your partner this Valentine’s Day

For him, the Seamaster Aqua Terra Worldtimer in titanium or stainless steel; for her the Mini Trésor with its ‘Her Time’ pattern and pavé diamonds

For Valentine’s Day Omega offers for him, the Seamaster Aqua Terra Worldtimer in titanium or stainless steel; and for her the Mini Trésor with its ‘Her Time’ pattern and pavé diamonds. Photo: Handout
Style Edit

Style Edit: Blancpain unveils new Ladybird timepiece for Valentine’s Day

This year the brand is releasing new Ladybird Saint-Valentin models, with a small seconds indication featuring a heart pierced by Cupid’s arrow – in 2019 there was even a watch inspired by Marilyn Monroe

Blancpain Ladybird Saint-Valentin 2024. Photos: Handout
South Africa

Oscar Pistorius released on parole 11 years after murdering girlfriend

A parole board in November decided the South African former Paralympic star could be freed after completing more than half his sentence.

Space

Valentine’s Day asteroid not likely to hit Earth after all, scientists say

The newly spotted space rock with the potential to wipe out a city had spawned many alarming headlines, some warning lovers to cancel their dates in 2046.

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India

Protests and cow worship mark Valentine’s Day celebrations in India

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Britain

Banksy Valentine mural highlights domestic abuse, but local council not happy

The piece depicts a housewife with a swollen eye and missing teeth shoving a man into a real freezer – which the council ordered removed on ‘grounds of safety’.

Afghanistan

Afghan florists heartbroken over Taliban Valentine’s Day ban

In Kabul’s famed Flower Street, shops were full of heart-shaped garlands and toy animals, but empty of customers as officers and armed escorts patrolled.

Hong Kong society

Hong Kong husband makes every day Valentine’s Day

Wedding industry feels the love as couples start to tie the knot again after years of uncertainty.

Mr and Mrs Lee tied the knot on Valentine’s Day in Tsim Sha Tsui. There were 248 weddings on the day of love this year. Photo: Elson Li
The Philippines

‘I feel for them’: Philippine mayor offers single staff Valentine’s Day bonus

Employees at the General Luna town hall in Quezon province can get up to 3 times their normal daily wage depending on how long they have been single.

Women sell heart-shaped balloons at a flower market in Manila. Photo: AP
Hong Kong society

Light fantastic art show illuminates Hong Kong night sky

Onlookers praise the show in the West Kowloon Cultural District, which will run until early March

Sex and relationships

9 reasons you’re lying to your partner, and how to stop before it’s too late

With Valentine’s Day around the corner, here are some common reasons we lie in our relationships, how to avoid hiding the truth, and why being honest will help you preserve your relationship.

Hong Kong reopens

Will business bloom as Hong Kong marks Valentine’s Day with few Covid curbs?

Vendors say more love birds are celebrating over the weekend and requesting flowers earlier.

Customers check out the goods at the flower market in Mong Kok. Photo: Edmond So
Food and Drinks

8 of the sweetest Valentine’s Day treats from Hong Kong’s top pastry chefs

Hong Kong’s top pastry chefs are going all out preparing sweet treats for Valentine’s Day. Give some to a loved one, or to yourself.

Charbonnel et Walker’s Milk Marc de Champagne Mini Hearts. Give them to your Valentine, or to yourself. Photo: Charbonnel et Walker
Fashion

10 luxury Valentine’s Day gifts that’ll dazzle your special someone in 2023

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner – and what better way to treat your other half than with the most stylish accessories of the season?

Chinese culture

Feng shui tips to boost your love energy ahead of Valentine’s Day

Whether you’re single and looking for love, or in a relationship and want to improve it, these tips from feng shui master Andrew Kwan could help you ahead of Valentine’s Day.

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Valentine's Day
News and trends regarding the day of love
last updated:
9 September, 2024
highlights from
100 Top Tables 2024 Restaurant Directory
100 Top Tables 2024 Restaurant Directory
Your Hong Kong weekend food guide for November 21-24 – from free-flow seafood to happy hour, to Morton’s steak and lobster Oscar. Photo: Handout

100 Top Tables’ weekend food guide: where to eat from November 21-24

Leela’s smoked butter chicken, an innovative take on an Indian classic. Photo: Nicholas Wong

Dish in Focus: smoked butter chicken at Leela

Quinary’s Texture menu. Photo: Handout

Your 100 Top Tables Hong Kong weekend drinks guide, for November 15-24

Nocino’s vibrant new location is situated on Wai Yip Street in Kwun Tong. Photo: Courtesy of Nocino

100 Top Tables weekend food guide: where to eat from November 15-17

The Thai Beef Salad cocktail by The Savory Project in Hong Kong features savory profiles from beef, peanut and chilli as well as coconut, kaffir lime and rum. Photo: The Savory Project

Drink in Focus: The Savory Project’s Thai Beef Salad cocktail

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Content from SCMP's Specialist Publications
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