The dragon is known for being powerful, energetic and lucky. So this year it’s the perfect time to usher out the old and celebrate your newfound vitality. How to do that? By attending the fab festive events scheduled throughout the Lunar New Year period from fireworks and flower markets to making Chinese New Year wishes in Lin Village. We’ve rounded them up for you into this 2024 guide to Chinese New Year festivities in Hong Kong.
Cathay International Chinese New Year Night Parade
The most elaborate of the spectacles during Chinese New Year in Hong Kong is undoubtedly the Night Parade. Expect captivating floats, teams of performers, a festive atmosphere and plenty of dragons as you ring in the new year with good fortune, prosperity and vitality.
When: 10 February, 8pm to 9.45pm
Where: Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza in Tsim Sha Tsui to Sheraton Hong Kong Hotel and Towers
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Lunar New Year Fireworks
For the second day of Chinese New Year, continue your celebrations by attending the city’s massive firework display. Make sure to consider the best spots along Victoria Harbour to watch the show – and get there early because it’s likely to be very crowded!
When: 11 February, 8pm
Where: Victoria Harbour
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Flower Market
Across Hong Kong there are 15 flower markets setting up for a busy week before Chinese New Year. The Victoria Park Flower Market is the biggest and likely busiest! Expect loads of goodies from the stalls from toys to food and, of course, flowers!
When: Typically people shop the week before Chinese New Year
Where: Multiple locations
Lunar New Year Lantern Carnivals
Gather your family and friends to gaze upon a magnificent green dragon lantern at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza. Made using local paper, the lantern display is of a dragon weaving between flowers. There will be plenty of other lantern carnivals across Hong Kong too, with rides, performances and activities. Find these at the Hong Kong Velodrome Park, Tin Shui Wai Park and Ginza Square, for example.
When: 2 to 24 February, 6pm to 11pm
Where: Multiple locations
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Che Kung Temple Festival
There is a belief during Chinese New Year that on the second and third days, people are more prone to quarrel. To attract good fortune instead, it’s recommended to visit the Che Kung Temple in Sha Tin. Here, the ritual is to burn incense, draw fortune sticks and rotate a copper windmill in a clockwise direction. If you have time afterwards, head to the Che Kung Festival Fair to browse dried goods (from 7 to 24 February).
When: 12 to 13 February
Where: Che Kung Temple
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Chinese New Year Race Day
Feeling lucky? Celebrate your good fortune at Sha Tin Racecourse and bring on a year of wealth. There will also be plenty of themed trackside entertainment including a traditional lion dance, live music and more!
When: 11 February
Where: Sha Tin Racecourse
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Hong Kong Well-wishing Festival
Loads of locals and visitors come to Lam Tsuen every year to throw a placard onto the wishing tree and light a wishing lantern. Why? Because these two banyan trees in Lin Village, called “Xiangzi trees”, are regarded as gods by locals. Tie your wish to an orange, pay homage to the tree and throw it so it stays up to make your Chinese New Year wishes come true.
When: 10 to 24 February
Where: Fang Ma Po Village
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Lee Tung Avenue installation
Enjoy a walk down Lee Tung Avenue under a sea of lanterns. You’ll understand why we’ve described it this way when you find goldfish symbolising abundance among the red lanterns lit up above your head. Make sure to visit on 12 February to see Golden Dream from Spain and Universe of Lights from Germany perform under the lanterns.
When: 1 February to 10 March
Where: Lee Tung Avenue
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Want to learn more about Chinese New Year wishes and other interesting festivities? Read our article on Lunar New Year traditions here.
For more activities in Hong Kong, visit our Things To Do section.
