Chinese New Year (CNY) is the most important traditional festival in Hong Kong. During the holiday, the city is full of festive atmosphere and special events. It’s time for family and friends to get together for celebrations. This year, the Chinese New Year animal is Rat, let’s celebrate the Year of the Mouse by participating in the following events!

Chinese New Year Hong Kong 2020

1. Chinese New Year Parade Hong Kong/ International Chinese New Year Carnival

One of the most exciting events in Chinese New Year Hong Kong is Chinese New Year Parade. There you can watch Chinese New Year lion dance and dragon dance, illuminated floats, cultural and modern dances etc. Join the crowd to soak up the festive atmosphere. (Cancelled)

2. Chinese New Year Firework Hong Kong

Hong Kong Chinese New Year Fireworks Display has become an annual event to celebrate Chinese New Year in Hong Kong since 1982. It normally takes place over the Victoria Harbour on The Second Day of Lunar New Year. This joyful event attracts hundreds of thousands of spectators on both sides of the Harbour. (Cancelled this year)

Chinese New Year Traditions Hong Kong

3. Lunar New Year Shopping and Festive Dinner

People usually buy new clothing and Chinese New Year decorations, like Fai Chun, for the New Year. House-cleaning and haircut are done before the New Year Day. Having festive dinners with family on Lunar New Year’s Eve and on the Second Day of the Lunar New Year are norms.

4. Flower Market Hong Kong/ Lunar New Year Fairs

To decorate the house and welcome the New Year, auspicious blossoms and Chinese New Year plants are bought at Flower Markets or Chinese New Year Fairs. Chinese New Year Hong Kong Fairs are all over the city and they generally begin a week before the Lunar New Year every year. Have you got any lucky plant yet?

• Date:            19 to 25 January 2020
• Time:           Various times (7 – 8am to midnight)
• Admission:  Free
• Venue:         15 parks and playgrounds across Hong Kong including Victoria Park in Causeway Bay, Hong Kong Island, and Fa Hui Park in Mong Kok, Kowloon

5. Temples Visiting

In order to seek good fortune, many people like to visit temples during the CNY. Some of them may even go to Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple in Kowloon at midnight on Chinese New Year’s Eve hoping to become the first to pay his respects. Others may visit Che Kung Temple at Shatin to burn some incense sticks and turn the Chinese New Year windmill wishing for the best. You may also visit Man Mo Temple in Sheung Wan or the temple in Tai Po. Bear in mind that those temples can be extremely crowded.

6. Lam Tsuen Wishing Tree/ Hong Kong Well-Wishing Festival

Want to further continue the lucky seeking journey, why not visit Lam Tsuen Wishing Tree and join the Hong Kong Well-Wishing Festival? Both local and overseas tourists like to go there and make wishes. Meanwhile, the floats of the Chinese New Year Parade will be showcased here during the festival.

• Date:                25 January – 9 February 2020
• Time:                8:45 am – 6:30 pm
• Venue:              Lam Tsuen Wishing Square
• Admission:      Free

7. Chinese Lantern Carnival

Lantern festival is an important festival during the CNY. The Entertainment Office organizes Lantern Carnivals in different parts of Hong Kong annually. The programs include large-scale lantern exhibitions, folk dance, traditional stage arts and so on. You can also play games at booths.

• Event:                   Lunar New Year Lantern Display
• Theme:                 Flying High with the Golden Dragon
• Date:                    25 January to 9 February 2020
• Time:                    6 – 11 pm
• Venue:                 Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza, Tsim Sha Tsui
• Admission:          Free

Other Chinese New Year Events in Hong Kong

8. Chinese New Year Race Day

Visit the racecourse and watch the thrilling horse racing, lion dances and variety shows. Grab the chance to make a fortune!

• Date:                 27 January 2020 (3^rd Day of Lunar New Year)
• Time:                10:15am to 5pm
• Venue:               Sha Tin Racecourse
• Admission:       Public enclosure HK$10; Tourist badge HK$130

9. Cantonese Opera Extravaganza

• Date: 27 January 2020
• Time: 1:30–5pm and 7:30–11pm
• Venue: Sha Tin Town Hall
• Admission: HK$260-$460
• Ticketing: Tickets available at URBTIX
• With Chinese and English Surtitles

10. The Great European Carnival

Get some excitements during the holiday by joining the following carnivals with world-class rides and games, performances and family entertainment.

• Date:                         12 December 2019 – 16 February 2020
• Time:                        11am to 11pm
• Venue:                      Central Harbourfront Event Space, Hong Kong Island
• Admission: Adult:  HK$130 (inclusive of HK$100 tokens) ; Child: HK$90 (inclusive of HK$70 tokens)

Hope that you can find something you like from the above. Any other thoughts on Chinese New Year Hong Kong?

Thank you for reading this post. Please like us on Facebook and share our posts. Feel free to leave us comments or contact us if you have any questions.

To get free newsletter and updates from Hong Kong Travel Guide in your inbox, simply sign up at the right-handed sidebar.

Wish you a brilliant Year of the Rat! Gong Hei Fat Choi!

You may also like:

Chinese New Year Parade Hong Kong

Flower Market Hong Kong Chinese New Year

Lam Tsuen Wishing Tree