Chinese New Year (or sometimes ‘Lunar New Year’ or ‘Spring Festival’) is one of the largest international holidays, celebrated by over 1.2 billion people worldwide. As different cities add their own twist to this centuries-old holiday, Hong Kong’s Chinese New Year Celebration has become particularly famous.
Catch Hong Kong’s largest event of the year, as they put modern twists to ancient traditions for a world-class holiday. Enjoy a three-day celebration of some of the city’s most beloved traditions, coupled with smaller festivities you can join in with your loved ones.
Day 1: Chinese New Year Parade at Tsim Sha Tsui
Witness the entire city become one giant street party at Hong Kong’s Chinese New Year Parade! Crowds line the streets along the Tsim Sha Tsui area by Victoria Harbor to see the grand parade up close. See dozens of extravagantly designed floats carrying talented performers bring the city to life as the pass through Hong Kong’s main roads. It’s an event both locals and foreigners are sure to enjoy.
Day 2: Fireworks over Victoria Harbor
On the second day of Hong Kong’s Chinese New Year celebration, witness the spectacular, record-setting fireworks show by Victoria Harbor. During the Spring Festival, this pyrotechnic extravaganza joins the award-winning Symphony of Lights show to bring you an incredible, unforgettable light show. For an especially stunning view, head to Victoria Peak where you can enjoy the fireworks away from the crowds.
Day 3: Horse Racing at the Sha Tin Racecourse
For a Chinese New Year celebration unique to Hong Kong, check out the famous Horse Races. Each year, residents gather excitedly to test their luck at the Sha Tin Racecourse —the grand prize winner can win up to 80 million US dollars! Apart from the horse race, the entire event is full of traditional and colorful activities such as cultural performances, fortune tips by Feng Shui masters, and stalls of festive food.
Hong Kong Disneyland
Chinese New Year is a holiday best spent with family and loved ones, and a trip to Hong Kong Disneyland is great if you’ve got young children with you. Enjoy the rides, attractions, and Chinese New Year shows with an incredible fireworks show at night as the grand finale.
Visit the Lam Tsuen Wishing Trees
Chinese New Year is a great time to ask for good luck and fortune. In Hong Kong, it’s tradition to write down your hopes and wishes for the new ear on joss papers (ghost or spirit money), tie it to a string, and toss it over the Lam Tsuen Wishing Tree. The branches catch your ‘wishes’ and let them hang there until the wishes come true.
Light Incense at the Temples
For a more somber and traditional Chinese New Year Celebration, visit one of Hong Kong’s many temples. Light a stick of incense, offer some food, and pray to your ancestors for health and good fortune.
And while all religions are welcome to pay their respects, many visit the temple’s for their beautiful architecture alone.
Chinese New Year Shopping
Hong Kong has long been a great shopping spot as it enjoys lower taxes on a number of goods. But come Chinese New Year, the malls slash their prices to downright steals. Take advantage of your time in Hong Kong to snatch up the festival deals on everything from clothing, skincare, appliances, and even furniture. After all, Chinese New Year is also about spreading the good wealth and fortune.
For a fun-filled city celebration like no other, spend the Chinese New Year holiday in Hong Kong!
You can also read our Chinese New Year Guide to Shanghai.
