We kick off 2020 with an array of fantastic and colorful events, with the Lion and Dragon Dance Festival and Extravaganza welcoming the new year on January 1st.
The Winterfest and Christmas celebrations will be wrapping up the first week of the month and after the frenzy of the holiday season, the tempo does not let up as the preparations for the most revered event in the calendar, Chinese New Year, will be getting underway in anticipation of the big day on January 25, 2020.
With pleasant cooler temperatures, days can be cloudy but dry, a light jacket will definitely come in handy but leave your heavy stuff at home.
I know these months are packed with exciting events, but do make some time to head outdoors and enjoy nature! For nature lovers, this is the time to enjoy our fantastic reserves and trails. Weather is pleasant and migrating birds are here in spades.
Get Outdoors!
Book with confidence! Free cancellation: Cancel up to 24 hours in advance to receive a full refund
So let's get started. Here's this month's fantastic line-up:
Hong Kong Highlight Events
- International Dragon and Lion Dance Festival - January 1st, 2020
- New Year's Day Race Meeting (Horse Racing) - January 1st, 2020
- The Great European Carnival - December 12, 2019 - February 16, 2020
- The Lion King - The Musical - December 18, 2019 - January 5, 2020
Chinese New Year Celebrations
- Chinese New Year Flower Markets - likely to start in mid-January exact dates TBA
Chinese New Year Parade- January 25, 2020- CANCELLED, replaced with 4-day Carnival- Chinese New Year Fireworks - January 26, 2020
- Lunar New Year Lantern Displays - January 17 - February 9, 2020
- Chinese New Year Race Day (Horse Racing) - January 27, 2020
- Chinese New Year at Disneyland Hong Kong - TBA mid-January to early February
- Ocean Park Lucky Lunar Fiesta - TBA mid-January to early February
- Hong Kong Well-Wishing Festival - January 25, 2020 through mid-February
- More on this year's Lunar New Year, Year of the Rat Celebrations in Hong Kong
Make the most of Chinese New Year!
Ongoing Events This January 2020
- Free cultural exhibitions: Kung Fu, Tai Chi, Feng Shui
- The Symphony of Lights, Hong Kong's light and sound show
- It's race time! The Horse Races at Happy Valley are on!
Hong Kong Highlight Events January 2020
Dragon and Lion Dance Extravaganza
Hundreds of colorful dragons, lions, happy Buddhas, acrobats, celestial guardians... running and parading through the streets of Hong Kong in one of the most colorful, thrilling and noisy events to welcome the new year. Truly a feast for the eyes!
Dragon Parades and Lion Dances are nothing new to the territory, however, this event really takes it to another level!
Themes vary from year to year, but are always accompanied by the usual troupes of acrobats and over 500 mascots and lucky animals.
Dragon and Lion Dance Extravaganza: Performances and Parade
When?: January 1, 2020 - Activities throughout the day 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where?: Hong Kong Cultural Centre and streets of Tsim Sha Tsui
How Much?: Free!
New Year's Day Race Meeting - January 1st, 2020
This is one of eight "Magnificent Race Days" being waged in the Sha Tin Race Course during the racing calendar.
This New Year's Day Race is full of excitement with the Chinese Club Challenge Cup a HK G3 race, being the highlight of the event.
Good luck on this very first day of the year!
When?:January 1st, 2020 - Noon - 6pm
(Gates open at 11am)
Where?: Sha Tin Race Course
How Much?: General Admission at Public Enclosure HK10 or Members' Enclosure with Tourist Badge HK190 (must bring passport)
The A1A Carnival in the Waterfront
The giant, amazing outdoor event in one of Hong Kong's most iconic settings with sweeping views of Victoria Harbour is back!
What's coming? Two months of thrilling rides for all, carnival games, live entertainment including local and international music artists and comedy performers, and of course, festival food from around the world!
The 2024 - 2025 Carnival will feature many highlights as in years past. The World Circus with its exciting performances from all over the world, performance art, interactive sporting events, live music, and local community acts all have a home at the AIA Carnival and expect a special line-up as this year it celebrates its 10th Anniversary!
When?: December 18, 2024 to February 16, 2025
Where?: Central Waterfront Event Space, at the Central Waterfront next to the Observation Wheel
How Much?: TBA, last year General Admission from HK$140 for adults on Off-Peak Days to HK$160 for Peak Days, Children Off-Peak HK$95 Peak HK$110, add-on tokens HK$180+
The Lion King: The Musical
For the first time in Hong Kong!
When? December 18, 2019 - January 5, 2020
Where? Arena (Hall 1) AsiaWorld Expo
How Much? HK$439+
Hong Kong Lunar New Year Events This January 2020
Hong Kong Chinese New Year Flower Markets
A popular tradition in anticipation of Chinese New Year, Hong Kong Flower Markets are buzzing with a frenzy of activity as households prepare decorations as well as gifts for their loved ones.
Besides the normal flower markets that run year-round, one of the most popular Chinese New Year Flower Markets is set up just for the occasion in Victoria Park, although open during the day, best time to visit and catch all the electrifying atmosphere is at night, but be prepared for the crowds!
When? Mid-January through January 25, 2020. On New Year's Eve January 24, 2020 it will be open throughout
until the early hours (6:00 am) of New Year's Day when it will close.
Hours from 12:00 noon to midnight
Where? Several locations, main venue at Victoria Park, MTR Causeway Bay Station Exit E, then follow the crowds along Great George Street or MTR Tin Hau Station Exit A2, turn left at exit.
In Kowloon side, check out Fa Hui Park in Mongkok.
How Much? Depends on what you're buying! Free to browse!
Chinese New Year Night Parade - CANCELLED
The Hong Kong Chinese New Year Parade is a classic event featuring colorful floats, marching bands, troupes of acrobats, lively dragons, traditional Chinese dancers, international troupes from all over the world, drummers, Chinese lions, and of course, firecrackers.
It has been traditionally held on the first night of the New Year and is together with the fireworks, one of the hallmark celebrations of the Lunar New Year.
The 2020 Chinese New Year Parade which was scheduled for January 25, 2020 at 8:00 pm has been cancelled. Instead a 4-day carnival from the 25th to the 28th of January will take place in the city at an as of yet unconfirmed location and will be one of the landmark celebrations to welcome the new year. The high caliber dazzling performances by local and international performers that used to take place during the Parade will now be staged during the Carnival. Stay tuned for more info!
Chinese New Year Fireworks
You really don't want to miss this one! It's one of Hong Kong signature events.
To welcome the Lunar New Year, a fleet of boats and barges set up in the middle of Victoria Harbour launches the pyrothechnic wonder as the sky above the harbour explodes in bursts of shimmering color.
The breathtaking
show lasts approximately 25 to 30 minutes.
When? January 26, 2020 - 8:00 p.m.
Where? Victoria Harbour, all along the waterfront or where there is a view just above the Harbour.
How Much? FREE
Lunar New Year Lantern Exhibition
The Government of Hong Kong's Leisure and Cultural Services Department sponsors a series of events to foster Chinese ethnic culture to residents and tourists alike.
As part of the Lunar New Year festivities, the department sets up an amazing annual Lantern Exhibition in the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront in the lead up to the Lantern Carnival which mark the end of the Lunar New Year celebrations.
When? January 17 - February 9, 2020 Displays are lit 6:00pm to 11pm from Friday to Sunday.
Where? Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza by the Water Pools in front of the Clocktower, Tsim Sha Tsui.
How Much? Free
Chinese New Year Race Day (Horse Racing)
This has for years been Hong Kong's most popular horse racing event of all.
This is not only an exciting day at the horse races but for visitors also a chance to enjoy a full programme of traditional festivities including a grand opening show, the traditional lion dance, a variety of cultural and entertainment performances, and jockeys greeting fans with good luck messages.
The featured race of the day is the Chinese New Year Cup.
When?: January 27, 2020 - Noon - 6pm
(Gates open at 11am)
Where?: Sha Tin Race Course
How Much?: General Admission at Public Enclosure HK10 or Members' Enclosure with Tourist Badge HK190 (must bring passport)
Magical Year After Year Chinese New Year Celebration at Disneyland Hong Kong
During Chinese New Year, Disneyland Hong Kong transforms once again after the rush of the Christmas season. This time instead of fluffy snow and holiday wreaths, it is lanterns, red envelopes, mandarin oranges, chinese lions, drums and gongs...
And in typical Disney fashion, our favourite characters will be there dressed in full Chinese traditional gear to celebrate and wish you Gung Hay Fat Choy!
Special event this year celebrating the Year of the Dragon is a one-of-a-kind concert with world-renown pianist Lang Lang on January 27, 2024 on stage at the Castle of Magical Dreams.
When? January 25 to February 25, 2024
Where? Hong Kong Disneyland
How Much? CNY events are free with entrance ticket
Remember you can buy discount tickets online at Klook.com:
HK Disneyland Discount Tickets Adult HK639 HKD590, Children HK487 HKD438
More Info and Booking at Klook.com
Also available are exclusive experience for World of Frozen and Arandelle Royal Breakfast Buffet
Dining Offers at Hong Kong Disneyland
Ocean Park Lucky Lunar Fiesta
Every year, the park goes all out to celebrate the Lunar New Year with traditional events throughout: Leaping lions at the Waterfront, dazzling dragon dances at the Summit, incredible board-busting Kung Fu shows, lucky red packets at the God of Fortune Palace, roaring dances at the Waterfront Plaza while Old Hong Kong plays host to Golden Lions dancing on the streets and Kung Fu troupes galore.
Giant drums and spectacular acrobatics and lots of memorable photo opportunities.
For the little ones, lucky pinwheel workshops at Whiskers Harbour and all restaurants of course, will be featuring seasonal specials.
When? TBA Mid-January through Mid-February 2020
Where? Ocean Park Hong Kong
How Much? CNY events are free with entrance ticket.
Remember you can buy discount tickets online at Klook.com:
Ocean Park Discount Tickets Adult HK498 HK$398, child (3-11) HK249 HK$217
Ticket + Halloween Attractions packages also available.
More Info and Booking at Klook.com
Offers for Water World Ocean Park HK Ticket
Hong Kong Well-Wishing Festival
Two popular traditions: wishing trees and wishing lanterns, in addition to performances and cultural activities and lots and lots of local foods.
If you missed the Chinese New Year Parade, this is your chance, all the floats will be on display and the troupes from the parade will also perform here. This is not exactly "around the corner" but well worth the trip.
When? From New Year's Day January 25 until the Lantern Festival February 8, 2020
Where? Lam Tsuen Wishing Trees, take MTR to Tai Wo Station (New Territories) then a free shuttle or taxi to Lam Tsuen Wishing Square.
How Much? Most events are free, there is a fee for banquets and feasts.
Ongoing Hong Kong Events
These are some popular ongoing events that are worth checking out, specially since they are FREE or offered for a low fee!
These events feature some of the great and ancient traditions of the territory and are offered by experts in their corresponding fields:
The Symphony of Lights
The Symphony of Lights is Hong Kong's light and sound show, a tribute to the city and its people, their diversity, energy and vitality.
The stage is the entire city, which is what makes it so unique, you can watch the lights from just about anywhere in the waterfront.
This free show offered by the city, takes place every night at 8:00 pm and lasts about 12 minutes.
When?: Every Night
Where?: Can be seen from both sides of Victoria Harbour, specially stunning aboard a Harbour Cruise.
How Much? Free
- More on Hong Kong's Symphony of Lights, best spots to watch.
- Symphony of Lights Harbour Cruise with Aqualuna (NOW SAILING! Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays)
The Horse Races Are On! This is how you can attend
The horse races in Hong Kong whether or not you are a horse racing enthusiast is an experience not to be missed!
The beautiful horses, the skillful jockeys, the crowds going wild, they all add up to an exciting, fun-filled, thrilling atmosphere in two world-class venues, at the Sha Tin Racecourse and the iconic Happy Valley Racecourse.
The Happy Valley race course itself is a sight in itself, the city has built around it through the years and it is now practically surrounded by skyscrapers, an awesome experience specially at night when the city is illuminated.
When?: Happy Valley Night Races on Wednesday Nights. On race day, first race starts at 7:15 p.m. and the gates open at 5:15 p.m.
The races are done by 11:00 p.m.
Sha Tin Day Races are on Sundays. First race normally starts at 1:00 pm, earlier if there are more than 10 races. Gates open at 11:00 am.
All races will be streamed live at the HK Jockey Club Racing Channel.
How Much? There are many ways to experience the races, from General Stand to Private Boxes and
special packages including dinner and drinks. General Stand entrance starts at HK10. You can join this guided experience and learn all about horse racing and betting, Enjoy the HKJC horse races from the 2M roof deck.
Hong Kong Events By Month
Most Popular Excursions in Hong Kong
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