How To Celebrate Chinese New Year 2024 In Hong Kong: CNY Events, Menus & More

Wondering how to celebrate Chinese New Year 2024 in Hong Kong? We’ve rounded up Year of the Dragon events like parades and flower markets, CNY menus and dining deals, staycations and more!

We may be about a month into 2024 but the real big deal in Hong Kong is Chinese New Year! Once you’ve sorted out the perfect festive fit and gathered lai see to give out (I’m talking to you, newlyweds!) — you’re ready to celebrate the biggest festival of the year. We’re talking Chinese New Year fireworks, the Cathay CNY parade and so much more for the Year of the Dragon. Plus, we’ve rounded up some tasting menus and staycations, so you can ring in the Lunar New Year in style. This is your ultimate guide to Chinese New Year 2024 in Hong Kong.

Read More: Where To Watch The 2024 Chinese New Year Fireworks In Hong Kong

Jump To:
When Is Chinese New Year?
What To Do
What To Eat & Drink
Where To Stay

When Is Chinese New Year?

Chinese New Year celebrates the start of the Chinese lunisolar calendar year, tending to mark the end of a cold, dark winter and welcome in spring. This year, the first day of that calendar will fall on Saturday, 10 February, 2024, welcoming the Year of the Dragon — a creature that symbolises nobility, good fortune and vitality in Chinese culture.

Traditionally, the festival could be celebrated over up to 15 days, starting from its Eve through to the Spring Lantern Festival (not to be confused with the Mid-Autumn Lantern Festival). We get three statutory public holidays for the Lunar New Year in Hong Kong, so Chinese New Year holidays will fall on Saturday, 10 February, Monday, 12 February and Tuesday, 13 February this year.

Read More: Public Holidays In 2023 – How to Maximise Your Annual Leave

CNY Events: How To Celebrate Chinese New Year 2024 In Hong Kong

The Repulse Bay 2024 Chinese New Year Market — Handmade Hong Kong

Kick off your Lunar New Year celebrations with Handmade Hong Kong’s Chinese New Year craft market at The Repulse Bay. Browse through a curated selection of handmade and one-of-a-kind offerings from homegrown small businesses! We’re anticipating everything from festive calligraphy to fresh flowers, Hong Kong-themed decorations and more plus the chance to purchase directly from designers, artists and makers.

When: Saturday, 27 January, 11am to 6pm
Where: Seaview Terrace, The Repulse Bay, 109 Repulse Bay Road, Repulse Bay, Hong Kong
How much: Free entry

Read More: 2024 Chinese New Year Fashion – What To Wear In The Year Of The Dragon

Chinese New Year Sunday Market 2024 — Handmade Hong Kong

And make sure to also pencil in Handmade Hong Kong’s annual Chinese New Year Sunday Market in Discovery Bay! Again, beautiful handmade offerings from local vendors will be on offer, like art, jewellery, candles, activewear, apparel, sweet treats, savoury eats and so much more.

When: Sunday, 4 February, 11am to 6pm
Where: DB Plaza, 1 Discovery Bay Road, Discovery Bay, Lantau Island, New Territories, Hong Kong
How much: Free entry

Read More: Red Packets Do’s And Don’ts – The Etiquette Of Giving Lai See

Chinese New Year Flower Markets 2024 — Victoria Park & More

Heading to a Chinese New Year flower market in Hong Kong is almost synonymous with the festival. We’re expecting a total of 15 2024 Lunar New Year fairs and flower markets across the city, with the biggest at Victoria Park in Causeway Bay. Fairs will open on Sunday, 4 February, giving you plenty of time to get ready for the new year — stock up on festive flowers, lucky kumquat trees, CNY decorations and Year of the Dragon plushies and toys, while munching on Hong Kong-style eats and other treats.

When: Sunday, 4 to Tuesday, 6 February, 9am to 12am, and Wednesday, 7 to Saturday, 10 February, 9am until 2am
Where: 15 locations across Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, the New Territories and Outlying Islands, at various parks and playgrounds — see the list here
How much: Free entry

Read More: 2024 Chinese New Year Gift Hampers & Festive Food Baskets In Hong Kong

2024 Cathay International Chinese New Year Night Parade

Cathay’s Chinese New Year Night Parade is back! Expect a procession of stunning floats to spread auspiciousness and luck across Tsim Sha Tsui, and plenty of musical and dance performances before, during and after. Buy tickets for spectator stands or find somewhere along the parade route to view for free — make sure to check the parade route map!

When: Saturday, 10 February, 8pm to 9:45pm — see full timings here
Where: Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon. From Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza, 10 Salisbury Road through Canton Road, Haiphong Road and Nathan Road — see the parade route map here
How much: Free if you head to a spectator-friendly spot along the parade route. You can also buy tickets for spectator stands from the Hong Kong Tourism Board Kowloon Visitor Centre located in the Tsim Sha Tsui Star Ferry Pier — see pricing here

Lam Tsuen Well-Wishing Festival, Wishing Tree & New Night Market

Visit Lam Tsuen’s Wishing Tree to participate in Hong Kong’s Well-Wishing Festival — the age-old custom of writing your hopes and dreams for the year ahead on joss paper and throwing them into the wishing tree’s branches in Tai Po. If your paper stays on the tree without falling back down, it’s believed that your wish will come true! This year, we’re expecting lotus lanterns, golden mandarins, food stalls, a couple of performances — and a planned night market in Tai Po as part of the government’s “Night Vibes Hong Kong” campaign.

When: Saturday, 10 to Friday, 23 February
Where: Lam Tsuen Wishing Tree, Lam Tsuen Wishing Square, Lam Tsuen Heung Kung Sho Road, Lam Tsuen, New Territories, Hong Kong
How much: Free

Read More: 2024 Chinese New Year – A Guide To Lunar New Year Traditions & Taboos

2024 Lunar New Year Fireworks Display In Hong Kong

Catch the annual Chinese New Year Fireworks show from either side of the Victoria Harbour; watching a guaranteed-to-be big, beautiful, display as Hong Kong ushers in the Year of the Dragon with a bang. The best places to watch the fireworks in Hong Kong will be along the shores of Tsim Sha Tsui, Central, Admiralty and Wan Chai — see our top fireworks vantage spots here.

When: Sunday, 11 February, 8pm
Where: Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong

Lee Tung Avenue’s Chinese New Year Parade 2024

If you miss the Cathay CNY parade, fear not – Lee Tung Avenue is organising a parade two days after, with international and local parade acts! Groups include Golden Dream, an award-winning 10-member Latin music dance troupe from Spain, and Universe of Lights from Germany, an eight-member team with out-of-this-world costumes who become movable light sculptures. And don’t forget our local representatives, the Jean M. Wong School of Ballet and SDM Jazz & Ballet Academie from Hong Kong.

When: Monday, 12 February (third day of Chinese New Year), 5:30pm to 7pm
Where: Lee Tung Avenue, 200 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
How much: Free

Lee Tung Avenue’s Dragon & Lion Dance Spectacular

Keep the festivities going when you head back to Lee Tung Avenue for the Dragon & Lion Dance Spectacular, a Lunar New Year traditional dance with drums, gongs, and an 80-plus-feet traditional golden dragon accompanied by five colourful lions. Catch the eye dotting ceremony and make space for high pole jumping and a parade (you can also meet the God of Fortune and receive his good wishes!)

When: Tuesday, 20 February, 2pm to 2:30pm
Where: Central Piazza, Lee Tung Avenue, 200 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
How much: Free to join

Chinese New Year Food: What To Eat Over Chinese New Year

The Chinese Library — Chinese New Year Tasting Menu

An auspicious eight-course tasting menu awaits at The Chinese Library in Tai Kwun, featuring Pan-Fried Oyster, Sea Cucumber & Fish Maw Soup with Dragon Claw Fungus, and Braised Abalone Puff with Pan-Seared Turnip Cake.

When: Friday, 9 to Saturday, 24 February
Where: The Chinese Library, Block 01, Tai Kwun, Police Headquarters, 10 Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong
How much: $1,188 per person — book here

Read More: The Best Hong Kong Dim Sum

Ho Lee Fook — Exclusive Dishes For Chinese New Year

Perfect for sharing between a large table, Ho Lee Fook’s Chef ArChan is serving up a luxurious take on Chiu Chow-style Lo Hei, featuring red snapper and 10 different vegetables and herbs. Dial up the decadence with the Wok-Fried Australian Lobster, tossed in XO sauce and crispy rice vermicelli.

When: Saturday, 10 to Saturday, 17 February
Where: Ho Lee Fook, 3-5 Elgin Street, SoHo, Central, Hong Kong
How much: Lo Hei – $568, Wok-Fried Lobster – $1,088 (24-hour pre-order is required) — book here

Read More: Where To Find The Best Claypot Rice In Hong Kong

aqua — Chinese New Year Fireworks Dinner Menu

This banging Chinese New Year dinner menu tempts with mains of Roasted Waguy Beef Sirloin, Confit Suckling Pig and Line-Caught Sea Bass. And what better way to end your meal than with a pair of pistachio and mandarin-flavoured dragons for dessert and fireworks on the rooftop?

When: Sunday, 11 February
Where: aqua, 17/F, H Zentre, 15 Middle Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong
How much: $1,888 per person — book here

Read More: The Best Steakhouses In Hong Kong

Salisterra, The Upper House — Shanghai Tang x Jacky Tsai Collection Afternoon Tea

Salisterra is ringing in the Year of the Dragon with a stunning new set inspired by Shanghai Tang and Jacky Tsai’s Auspicious Dragon Collection. The afternoon tea set gives a nod to our beloved yum cha tradition with dishes like Fried Taro Dumpling and Hoisin Duck, as well as some Chinese New Year-themed sweet treats.

When: Until Sunday, 31 March, daily, 3pm to 5pm
Where: Salisterra, Level 49, The Upper House, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty, Hong Kong
How much: $680 for two persons (Monday to Thursday); $718 for two persons (Friday to Sunday) — call 3968 1106 or email [email protected] to book

Read More: The Best Afternoon Tea Sets In Hong Kong

Shake Shake — Hot Honey Chicken Menu Returns

Shake Shack’s Hot Honey Chicken Menu returns for the Year of the Dragon. Warm your belly with the Hot Honey Chicken Sandwich, made with glazed crispy chicken topped with a crisp cabbage and green apple slaw. The sticky Hot Honey Chicken Bites paired with a fiery red sweet and spicy dipping sauce are also hard to resist.

When: Until Monday, 1 April
Where: various locations across Hong Kong

Head here for more new and seasonal menus and dining deals.

Where To Stay Over Chinese New Year

Island Shangri-La – “Dragon in Full Swing” Chinese New Year Experience Package

Island Shangri-La’s Year of the Dragon experiences across Shangri-La Group’s three Hong Kong hotels include Xi’an Acrobatic Troupe’s performances at Island Shangri-La and Kowloon Shangri-La, and Khuan Loke Dragon & Lion Dance Association from Malaysia taking the stage at the Kerry Hotel. Travel seamlessly between the hotels via a traditional red-sail Chinese junk boat. And enjoy the Chinese New Year Fireworks Display Party on 11 February from Island Shangri-La’s Harbour Room (with live entertainment, Hong Kong market-themed snacks, Moutai ice cream and Champagne). 

The package includes a one-night luxury stay, daily breakfast, dining credits, and exclusive access to all the CNY experiences mentioned across all three Shangri-La Hotels.

When: Valid for stays between Thursday, 11 to Tuesday, 13 February, 2024
How much: Pricing starts at $5,800 per night — book here

Island Shangri-La, Hong Kong, Two Pacific Place, Supreme Court Road, Admiralty, Hong Kong, www.shangri-la.com

The Upper House – Shanghai Tang Experience

In collaboration with Hong Kong luxury fashion house Shanghai Tang, The Upper House is inviting you to indulge in an immersive retreat that embraces modern Chinese chic and delicate craftsmanship. Your room package includes a night in one of the hotel’s guest rooms or suites, daily breakfast for two at Salisterra, the Salisterra x Shanghai Tang afternoon tea for two, personal shopping at Shanghai Tang’s flagship store at Pacific Place and a Shanghai Tang’s Gemstone Knot Chopsticks gift.

Sassy Tip: Upgrade your stay to an Upper Suite, and get Shanghai Tang’s in-suite tailoring service experience, a $1,000 Shanghai Tang tailoring service voucher and a gift set of two Shanghai Tang Dragon Bordeaux wine glasses.

How much: Pricing starts at $5,388 per night, and from $9,388 when you upgrade to an Upper Suite — book here

The Upper House, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty, Hong Kong, www.thehousecollective.com

Head here for more Chinese New Year staycation packages.