When Chinese New Year arrives in Hong Kong, the place becomes special. The tradition and celebration, combined as if to form an art form, add a new shade to this vivacious city. 
Hong Kong during the Chinese New Year celebration is so colorful and pleasing that visitors worldwide cannot help but be entranced. As one of Asia's most international cities, Hong Kong infuses its Lunar New Year celebrations with unique characteristics that fascinate people from every corner of the globe. 

Enveloped in a vivid sea of red and gold, the sweet scent of flowers blooming fills the city air. Everywhere one looks, there are people carrying firecrackers, and cheerful voices blend in chorus on every street.
This guide will help you make the most of Chinese New Year in Hong Kong, from spectacular parades and fireworks over Victoria Harbour to traditional markets filled with festive blooms and decorations. Discover the best shopping spots, indulge in delicious festive treats, and immerse yourself in the vibrant celebrations like a local. Whether it’s your first visit or not, unforgettable memories await!

Chinese New Year Events in Hong Kong 2025

Hong Kong’s Chinese New Year celebrations are famous worldwide for their size and spectacle. During this time, the city becomes a colourful fiesta featuring several activities that highlight traditional customs but also have modern twists on centuries-old festivities. From breathtaking light displays to hands-on cultural experiences, these events are an incredible opportunity for visitors to experience Chinese culture at its most vibrant and celebratory state.

1. Chinese New Year Parade

The Cathay Pacific International Chinese New Year Night Parade is one of the most awaited annual events in Hong Kong, attracting thousands of viewers from around the world. This amazing parade that runs through the streets of Tsim Sha Tsui is a dazzling exhibition, breathtaking floats with elaborate designs and dazzling LED lights become a moving canvas of color. The world-class performers — acrobats, dancers and musicians — display their talents all the way down the route.
Both local and overseas performative groups take part in the parade, bringing their own interpretations to the festivities. You'll see lion and dragon dances that will blow you away, martial arts displays that will amaze you, and creative exhibits from international teams that give this signature Chinese festival some international flavor.

Tips: 

• To get the best view, arrive two or more hours before the 8:00 PM start time of the parade.
• Spaces on Nathan Road and Canton Road for viewing are limited and fill up fast. 
• If you want to guarantee comfortable viewing, consider buying tickets for the spectator stands near the Hong Kong Cultural Centre. 
• Remember to get water, food, and a camera for that magical moment!

2. Chinese New Year Flower Market

Hong Kong's Chinese New Year Flower Market at Victoria Park is a popular annual event that turns the park into a bloom-filled garden of good fortune. Flowers and plants are essential in Chinese culture and New Year celebrations, each symbolising good fortune and prosperity. 
The market is filled with colorful displays of orchids, which symbolizes fertility and abundance; peach blossoms, which mean romance and longevity; and mandarin trees, which represent wealth and happiness.

Tips: 

• The market is usually open for a week before Chinese New Year and stays open until the early hours of New Year’s Eve. 
• To get a good selection and the best prices, visit early in the morning hours. 
• The market is conveniently served by the MTR, with Causeway Bay and Tin Hau stations a short walk away. 
• Take cash for your purchases and be ready to haggle on the price as all of this is part of the traditional market experience!

Give a Read: Top 12 Hong Kong Tourist Attractions And Travel Guide

3. Chinese New Year Fireworks Over Victoria Harbour

When you think about what to do in Hong Kong during the Chinese New Year, you cannot miss the majestic fireworks display. The Chinese New Year fireworks display over Victoria Harbour is, quite simply, one of the most awesome pyrotechnic spectacles on Earth. 
Held on the second day of the lunar new year, this 25-minute spectacle celebrates the beginning of the year, illuminating Hong Kong’s iconic skyline.

Tips: 

• For prime viewing, claim a spot along the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront promenade or a vantage point at the Central Harbourfront. 
• Other spots include the Avenue of Stars or rooftop bars in Kowloon and Hong Kong Island.
• Get there at least three hours early if you want a good spot, and a picnic mat and snacks are a good idea. 
• Stay near the action, do not miss a moment, and explore apartments near Victoria Harbour.

Pro tip: many hotels have fireworks packages that include dinner and guaranteed views over the restaurants or rooftop venues.

4. Chinese New Year Horse Races

The Chinese New Year Race Day at Sha Tin Racecourse is one of the oldest Hong Kong traditions that rings in the new year with the excitement of horse racing, a beloved pastime in Hong Kong, followed by lively celebrations. 
More than 100,000 people visit Hong Kong's Jockey Club's track on this day, significantly more than on other days, to test their luck on such an auspicious date. From traditional lion dances to live entertainment to special ceremonial events between races turn the atmosphere electric.

Tips:

• Though the day is full of lively races and performances celebrating Chinese culture the highlight is the Chinese New Year Cup. 
• The event typically falls on the third day of the Chinese New Year. 
• Gates open at 11:00 AM, with races throughout the afternoon. 
• First-time visitors should buy tickets for the public enclosure, which is an area that allows for decent views of the track, as well as access to betting facilities. 
• Dress smartly – although there’s no formal dress code for the outdoor areas, horse racing in Hong Kong is still seen as an elegant event.

5. The Lam Tsuen Well-Wishing Festival

(Image Credits: discoverhongkong.com)

Visiting the Lam Tsuen Well-Wishing Festival in Tai Po allows visitors to be part of one of Hong Kong’s most beloved traditions. It’s a common local practice to write wishes on joss paper and ties to branches of the Lam Tsuen Wishing Trees. The trees themselves are now preserved, so when visitors come to take part in this beautiful tradition, it is done on specially designed wooden racks and replica trees.
The festival takes place during the entire Chinese New Year period and includes traditional performances, carnival games, and local food stalls. In addition to the wish-making ritual, visitors can visit the historic Tin Hau Temple and learn about the area’s rural heritage. 

Tips:

• The festival can be reached by bus from Tai Po Market MTR station. 
• Make your way there early morning to escape the crowds and savour even more of this cultural spectacle in all its glory.
• Stay near the area to visit early morning easily, and explore the apartments in Hong Kong options.

6. The Spring Lantern Festival

The Spring Lantern Festival, which takes place on the last day of the Chinese New Year celebrations, lights up Hong Kong with a magical display. Also called Yuan Xiao Festival, this time-honored tradition has transformed into a magnificent contemporary revel in recent years while staying true to its roots as a time for family reunification and wishing for a better new year to come.
Parks and public spaces across Hong Kong are adorned with complex lantern displays, from traditional designs to modern artistic interpretations. The centrepiece is a colossal lantern display at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, boasting hundreds of handcrafted lanterns relaying tales from Chinese mythology and everyday life. 

Tips:

• Visit after sunset for the most magical experience, when the lanterns cast a cosy, ethereal glow in the night sky. 
• Bring your tripod along to photograph the lovely illuminations and children will appreciate the interactive lantern-making workshops that are usually available during the festival period.

7. Chinese New Year Shopping spree

Hong Kong is a shopping paradise all year round, but the annual Chinese New Year turns up the festive spirit and offerings to the next level, with local retailers showcasing special collections as well as sales and promotions. The famed “Golden Mile” of Nathan Road fills with holiday shoppers, its countless stores decorated in auspicious red and gold. Here, you’ll find everything from luxury brands to local boutiques specializing in traditional cheongsams and modern Chinese fashion.

List of markets in Hong Kong for shopaholics:

• For a more old-school shopping experience, the Ladies Market in Mong Kok is a hive of vendors selling festive decorations, traditional crafts and souvenirs. The market comes alive, especially in the morning when the locals shop for new year's necessities. 
• Temple Street Night Market has a different energy in the evening hours when its blend of traditional craft, antiques and street food makes for a classic Hong Kong experience.
• If you’re in the mood for some high-end retail therapy, make your way to the Citygate Outlets in Tung Chung, where you can find major international labels at high discounts on last season’s collections.
• On the island side, Stanley Market has a much more laid-back shopping feel — its seaside setting and blend of old and new items make it a prime souvenir-hunting ground.
• Be sure to check out the pop-up markets that are set up around the city during this time offering unique handmade goods and traditional crafts.

8. Witness the Festive Lion and Dragon Dances

Thundering drums and clashing cymbals of lion and dragon dances fill Hong Kong’s streets every lunar new year, believing the noise brings good luck and sends away evil spirits. Lion dances are often performed by pairs of dancers within an elaborate lion costume, where they manipulate the majestic feline through intricate choreography, while dragon dances involve teams of performers operating long, winding dragons with breathtaking precision.

Tips:

• You’ll see these performances at shopping malls, hotels and office buildings throughout the city, but some of the most extravagant shows take place at Wong Tai Sin Temple and Man Mo Temple. 
• For a close-up, head to the big shopping districts, such as Causeway Bay or Central, in the first few days of the new year, where impromptu performances often occur. 
• Many hotels and restaurants independently organize special shows for their visitors – ask your hotel about what productions are on when you’re in the city.

9. Enjoy Festive Delicacies

Chinese New Year across Hong Kong is a wonderland for food lovers, with many traditional delicacies known to hold auspicious and prosperous meanings. Seasonal delicacies fill the city’s restaurants and food stalls, and the locals and visitors alike look forward to it. 
Turnip Cake (Law Bak Gou) represents rising fortunes, and sweet Nian Gao represents reaching new heights in the coming year. An elaborate Poon Choi, a traditional feast where layers of premium ingredients are piled up, narrates the story of Hong Kong's heritage through its carefully arranged components.

Tips:

• For the most satisfying experience, check out old restaurants in areas like Sheung Wan and Jordan that are steeped in tradition with recipes that have been passed down the generations. 
• Be sure to eat Tang Yuan, sweet glutinous rice balls, in sweet ginger soup, representing family unity and completeness. 
• Many luxury hotels offer elaborate, festive buffets, with traditional and modern dishes for a wholesome experience.

10. Stroll Through Festive Streets and Decorations

It’s a photographer’s paradise in Hong Kong during the Chinese New Year celebration, as every district strives to outshine the others with their unique-looking decorations. 

Check out the list of must-visit streets:

• Tsim Sha Tsui takes the lead with magnificent light installations and themed displays along the harbor front. 
• The historic streets of Central combine traditional lanterns with modern light art.
• West Kowloon, a stunning array of 3D interactive displays and digital installations transform the space. 
• Victoria Park transforms into a wonderland of festive installations, ideal for family snaps or Instagram-able moments.
• In Mong Kok, the red lanterns sway over street markets, and traditional decorations are hung on shop fronts. 
• Temple Street bustles at night when neon signs and festival lights converge for a distinctly Hong Kong vibe. 

Tips:

• For the best photos, go during the “blue hour” just after sunset, when the city’s twinkling lights contrast against the darkening sky. 
• Explore the extensive Year of the Dragon displays in major shopping malls.

Give a Read: Best Places to Stay in Hong Kong: An Expert Guide

Conclusion    

Hong Kong during Chinese New Year celebrations is a unique fusion of tradition and modernity, and even a glimpse is enough to make you want to experience it yourself. Whether it's the fantastic parade and fireworks or the quiet act of making wishes at Lam Tsuen, all elements will leave you with unforgettable memories. With the ability to respect age-old traditions, while adapting its practices to modern tastes, the city is the ideal place to witness the celebrations of a Chinese New Year in full bloom.

During this festive occasion, it becomes fierce in booking accommodation, so do not forget to book your apartment in Hong Kong before your arrival. So, start planning now — don’t miss this amazing festival that turns an already amazing city into something magical.