New Year’s Trip to Hong Kong: Breathtaking Victoria Harbour Fireworks & Horse Racing for Good Luck

Whoosh—less than a month until the Year of the Dog? This Lunar New Year holiday spans six days. Any plans yet? Why not hop on a flight to Hong Kong for a “Wang Wang” (prosperous) year filled with both Eastern and Western flair? Indulge in traditional Hong Kong reunion feast “basin cuisine,” enjoy an international parade, marvel at dazzling fireworks over Victoria Harbour, and ring in the New Year with horse racing for good fortune. There's fun for all the senses—and don’t forget about Tim Ho Wan, where good food brings even better luck, helping travelers kick off the Year of the Dog in style and success.

Members of the Disney family join the “International Fashionable Float Parade.” (Photo provided by the Hong Kong Tourism Board)

The new year is the Year of the Dog, and festive cheer is already in the air across Hong Kong. The dog symbolizes vitality and vigor—qualities that align perfectly with Hong Kong’s image as the “Asia’s World City.” During the Lunar New Year, visitors can take part in a variety of celebratory events, including vibrant flower markets, international parades, and spectacular fireworks displays, fully immersing themselves in Hong Kong’s dynamic and colorful spirit.

Hong Kong’s Lunar New Year’s Day “International Fashionable Float Parade.” (Photo provided by the Hong Kong Tourism Board)

Exciting Lunar New Year Celebrations Throughout the Entire Festival

Beyond its rich festive atmosphere, Hong Kong offers a unique New Year experience compared to Taiwan. On New Year’s Eve, enjoy authentic basin cuisine, admire the international parade on the first day, catch the high-altitude fireworks over Victoria Harbour on the second, try your luck at horse racing or spin the windmills at Che Kung Temple on the third—and that’s just the beginning. Countless lively festivities throughout Hong Kong are waiting to be explored.

Traditional basins feasts are commonly enjoyed by Hong Kong villagers on New Year’s Eve, perfect for sharing with family and friends. (Photo provided by the Hong Kong Tourism Board)

A reunion dinner on New Year’s Eve features mouthwatering traditional holiday dishes.

Basin cuisine is a classic dish from Hong Kong’s traditional walled villages and is especially popular among locals during the Lunar New Year. It consists of layers of ingredients such as pork, poultry, seafood, and vegetables stacked in a large bowl, ideal for sharing with loved ones during the holidays. Today, this dish has become widely available, with many restaurants offering basin cuisine, making it easy for travelers to enjoy this traditional delicacy.

Lunar New Year Flower Market – Peach Blossoms. (Photo provided by the Hong Kong Tourism Board)

Many Hong Kong foods have auspicious names, making them perfect for New Year celebrations. Examples include tangyuan (glutinous rice balls, sounding like “reunion”) and ho see (dried oysters, resembling “good business”), as well as niangao (sticky rice cake), symbolizing “rising fortune.” These are essential traditional foods for the Lunar New Year. Travelers in Hong Kong can also savor these dishes, enjoying both good fortune and the blessings they bring.

Every Lunar New Year, Sha Tin’s Che Kung Temple is adorned with a sea of colorful windmills. (Photo provided by the Hong Kong Tourism Board)

Each Lunar New Year, Sha Tin’s Che Kung Temple becomes a vibrant sea of windmills, with countless bright and colorful windmills carrying the hopes and wishes of locals and worshippers for the new year. As the third day of the Lunar New Year is traditionally known as “Chik Hou” (Red Mouth Day), considered inauspicious for visiting others due to potential arguments, many people choose to visit Che Kung Temple instead to pray for blessings and spin the copper windmills nearby for good luck in the coming year.

Hong Kong’s Lunar New Year’s Day “International Fashionable Float Parade.” (Photo provided by the Hong Kong Tourism Board)

Lunar New Year’s Day: International Fashionable Float Parade

The annual “Cathay Pacific International Chinese New Year Night Parade” is hailed as one of the world’s most spectacular events and is definitely not to be missed. This year’s parade will take place on February 16 (Lunar New Year’s Day) evening in Tsim Sha Tsui, featuring numerous floats and performance troupes from around the globe, delivering a diverse and captivating show. Visitors can join the festive atmosphere alongside local residents, admire world-class performances, and celebrate the Year of the Dog together.

Dazzling fireworks over Victoria Harbour. (Photo provided by the Hong Kong Tourism Board)

Lunar New Year’s Day 2: Dazzling Victoria Harbour Fireworks

Following the float parade on New Year’s Eve, the world-famous Victoria Harbour will light up with a breathtaking fireworks display at 8:00 PM on February 17 (Lunar New Year’s Day 2). Spectators can enjoy the magnificent show from spots like Tsim Sha Tsui or the Central Harbourfront, experiencing the awe and brilliance of the fireworks.

Hong Kong locals flock to Che Kung Temple on the third day of the Lunar New Year to pray for good fortune. (Photo provided by the Hong Kong Tourism Board)

Lunar New Year’s Day 3: Horse Racing for Good Luck & Che Kung Temple Prayers & Windmill Spins

On the third day of the Lunar New Year (February 18), festive horse racing takes place, with galloping horses joining in the New Year celebrations. Tens of thousands of spectators attend the event annually. The racecourse also hosts additional exciting celebratory activities, filling the venue with a strong festive vibe.

Hong Kong holds festive horse racing on the third day of the Lunar New Year, with galloping horses joining in the New Year celebrations. (Photo provided by the Hong Kong Tourism Board)

Every Lunar New Year, Sha Tin’s Che Kung Temple is adorned with a sea of colorful windmills, with countless bright and colorful windmills carrying the hopes and wishes of locals and worshippers for the new year. As the third day of the Lunar New Year is traditionally known as “Chik Hou” (Red Mouth Day), considered inauspicious for visiting others due to potential arguments, many people choose to visit Che Kung Temple instead to pray for blessings and spin the copper windmills nearby for good luck in the coming year.

European Carnival. (Photo provided by the Hong Kong Tourism Board)