The year of the Rat is nearly upon us! We’ve rounded up our top picks of Chinese New Year events to usher in the Lunar New Year.
Cathay Pacific International Chinese New Year Carnival 2020
West Kowloon Cultural District Art Park will be transformed into a four-day fun-filled carnival with dazzling performances that will go through 24 years of Chinese New Year parades. There will be all-day programmes presented by 50 groups of local and international performers, including globally-acclaimed troupes and world-record holders, giant Insta-worthy installations, a workshop on balloon twisting, face painting and, plenty of festive food!
Carnival:
25 January 2020, 2 – 8pm
26 January 2020, 2 – 5pm
27–28 January 2020, 2 – 8pm
Parade along Promenade:
25 January 2020, 4:15pm26 January 2020, 3pm27–28 January 2020, 3pm and 6:30pm
Where: West Kowloon Cultural District Art Park
For more information visit: Carnival
Why not pay a visit to the Lam Tsuen wishing well trees this Chinese New Year. One of the most popular Chinese New Year celebration activities in Hong Kong which attract hundreds of thousands of locals and visitors from all over the world. Traditionally villagers would throw joss paper into two trees and make wishes. They believed that the higher the branch the joss paper landed on, the more likely it was the wish would come true. Nowadays, wishes are made by tying joss paper and oranges to nearby wooden racks or imitation trees.
When: 25 January to 9 February 2020
Where: Lam Tsuen Wishing Square, Lam Tsuen, Tai Po, New Territories, Hong Kong
For more information visit: Wishing trees
Visit the Flower Markets
A trip to the flower markets around Chinese New Year is guaranteed to lift the spirits with all the beautiful fauna on display. Locals believe that this brings good fortune, as blooms signify wealth in Chinese culture and many flowers symbolise good fortune. Be prepared to see lots of bright orange calamondin fruit at the markets, which are very popular during this period, as the word for ‘calamondin’ sounds the same as the word for ‘fortune’ in Cantonese.
Visit Temples to bring Good Luck
Why not visit one of the many temples in Hong Kong throughout the Chinese new year period to pray for blessings and to get an eye witness account of how the locals celebrate. Guaranteed to spark some spirituality inside of you, all of the temples in Hong Kong are not only beautifully decorated and ornate but also also incredibly unique.
For more information visit: Temples
Lion Dances
Keep an ear out for those beating drums signifying that a Lion and Dragon dance is near by! You cannot experience Chinese New Year without seeing one. There will be many going on just everywhere so you are bound to see the colourful dance at least once. Shopping centres, restaurants, hotels, local streets and many offices will have them going on.
Hong Kong Disneyland – The Year for Mickey!
From no until 9 February celebrate the Year of the Rat with everyones beloved Mickey Mouse. “Mickey’s Lucky Trail,” will bring happiness and good fortune for guests exploring the park, featuring nine spots filled with good luck to help guests collect blessings during the first three days of the Lunar New Year. Guests can collect the special edition set of two Mickey and Minnie stickers along the trail. Mickey Mouse will showcase the parks festive decorations, including fai chun, beautiful lanterns and flowers. There will be festive food and drink on offer, and also themed merchandise to add to the celebrations. Guests visiting during the first five days of the Chinese New Year will receive a newly-designed, Mickey Mouse-themed red packet upon entering the park, while stocks last. These limited-edition “packs of fortune” make memorable souvenirs. Purchase a 1-day ticket online and receive a complimentary Disney headband.
Lunar New Year Celebrations on World Dream
Why not step abroad Dream Cruise this Chinese New Year for a weekend staycation at sea! Departing from Hong Kong to the Philippines, the cruise will be an extravaganza of festivities with traditional feasts and exclusive fireworks at sea. There will be entertainment for the whole family with virtual reality game zones, an eSports arena. World-class stage productions, a water slide park, outdoor zip lines, rock-climbing wall, mini golf and more! Traditional activities include. a lunar new year’s countdown party, God of Fortune Parade, Lion and Dragon dance and a new years bazaar.
For reservations or inquires: www.dreamcruiseline.com
Shopping Malls
Mira Place, “Garden of Spring Blessings”
From the 10 January to 9 February, Mira place will be home to the “Garden of Spring Blessings”. Unlike traditional red and gold decorations, the “Garden of Spring Blessings” adds an elegant pink colour to the classic Chinese garden, with a “Peach Blossom Wishing Tree” at its centerpiece. Enter your Chinese zodiac and select the fortune in wealth, health, romance, work or studies to unveil your level of luck – ranged from “Greatest Fortune”, “Great Fortune” or “Good Fortune”. As a symbol of luck and prosperity, don’t forget to walk around the peach blossom tree to boost your luck in relationships this year!
Times Square “Lunar Dazzling Blossoms”
Hong Kong Times Square will welcome the Lunar New Year by transforming into a garden filled with dazzling flowers from the evening of 15 January to 9 February, 2020. The exhibition will feature an 8-meter long flower tunnel, good fortune pool, digital fortune stick and flower scented AR photo booth.
IFC – The Courtyard of Harmony
Take a stroll through ifc mall’s The Courtyard of Harmony during Chinese New Year to celebrate unity and togetherness. The courtyard will features lanterns, flying birds and fresh florals to celebrate Chinese New Year in the spirit of unity and festive blessings.
Pacific Place – A Voyage into Prosperous Splendour
From 10 January to 16 February 2020 Pacific Place will be transformed with colourful lanterns from the East and hot air balloons from the West to represent joyous blessings and the illumination of a bright future. Crafted by local home décor brand, LALA CURIO, contemporary yet traditional lanterns hang over Garden Court, made in the Hong Kong brand’s signature style. There will be plenty of shopping rewards on offer and also dance performances during the festive period. For more information on the schedule visit pacific place.
