For a large percentage of the world population, Chinese New Year is the most important holiday of the year. It’s when families get together to celebrate the end of the previous year and ensure an auspicious start to the next.
Even if you’re not Chinese, their New Year’s celebrations are something everybody can enjoy. From night markets to dragon parades, from fireworks to special feasts, Chinese New Year’s offers something for everybody.
While just about every city in Asia with a large Chinese population (which is to say, most) will be holding their own special Chinese New Year’s festivities, Hong Kong’s celebration is considered by many to be the most spectacular and extravagant.
The main highlight of the festivities is the International Chinese New Year Night Parade, which takes place along the streets of Tsim Sha Tsui. This year the parade will take place on Friday, Jan. 31 from 8pm – 9:30pm
Last year, about 120,000 people lined the streets to watch the dazzling displays from the enormous, elaborate parade floats and performances by artists both local and international. The festive ambiance turns the whole harbour-front area into a giant outdoor street party, one that is not to be missed. If you aren’t able to make it to the parade, you can still check out many of the floats and exhibitions at Lam Tsuen, where they were exhibited for the rest of the Chinese New Year festival.
One of the things that makes Chinese New Year’s celebrations special is that they last for 15 days, not just one. New Year’s Eve is a day that most Chinese families will spend furiously cleaning their homes, in order to make sure it’s spotless for the start of the New Year. It’s also a day when many will visit the traditional flower markets. There are 14 flower markets across Hong Kong that attract thousands of shoppers in search of auspicious flowers for their homes and offices in the run-up to Chinese New Year. These markets also feature stalls serving dried goods, toys and quirky souvenirs. The most popular are those held at Victoria Park on Hong Kong Island and Fa Hui Park in Kowloon.
On Chinese New Year, it’s customary to give thanks for the past 12 months and pray for good fortune in the coming year, making Hong Kong’s temples especially busy. The most popular temple is the Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin, where thousands swarm on Chinese New Year’s Eve and in the early hours of Chinese New Year’s Day. Wong Tai Sin is one of Hong Kong’s most popular deities and many want to honour him as early in the year as possible.
Other highlights of the city’s celebrations include a spectacular fireworks display over Victoria Harbour on the second day of the year; gamblers heading to the horse-racing tracks for some auspicious betting on day three; Hong Kong football’s New Year Cup finals on day four and, last but certainly not least, the magical Spring Lantern Festival on the fifteenth day of the New Year. You can head to www.discoverhongkong.com for more information.
