Gallop into the Year of the Horse with Hong Kong’s vibrant cultural celebrations

The ever-busy Tsim Sha Tsui district is playing host to a massive parade to ring in the Year of the Horse. Anticipate the works – from vivid parade floats to dancing dragons and horses. There will be performances from global dance groups including Australia's own Manly Seabirds (cheerleaders for the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles), the Xi'an Acrobatic Troupe, the Spanish Ballet Victor Campos, the waving flags of Florence’s Bandierai degli Uffizi and more. Catch the start of the celebrations at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza before it makes its way along Canton Road, Haiphong Road and Nathan Road, before finishing up at the Sheraton Hong Kong Hotel. It’s all going down from 6pm (HKT) on February 17.

Stalls around the city come to life in the early morning with bright blooms. Around the Lunar New Year, you can pick up flowers that signify good fortune, wealth and success like orchids, peonies, narcissus and more. Make like a tourist and head to the popular spots like Victoria Park and Prince Edward Flower Market or explore all around Hong Kong at places like Shek Wu Hui Playground, Tat Tung Road Garden, and Kwun Tong Recreation Ground. Check them out from February 11 to 17. 

Ever wish you could watch the Sydney New Year’s Eve fireworks again because they’re just so good? If you jet set to Hong Kong in February, you’ll score twice the smokeshow in one year with the Victoria Harbour firework display. Kicking off from 8pm (HKT) on February 18, there are plenty of vantage points you can scope out for the best views – including from both sides of Victoria Harbour, including Tsim Sha Tsui and Wan Chai.

At any other time of year, Lam Tsuen, Tai Po is a tranquil region, perfect for a stroll in the abundant parks and gardens. Come Chinese New Year, the masses arrive with their red wishing notes in hand, ready to throw them up above into the branches of the wishing tree. It’s an ancient tradition that people around the world partake in, as well as lighting wishing lanterns. You can head there anytime from February 17 to March 3. 

There aren’t many better ways to experience thousands-of-years-old cultural customs in Hong Kong than visiting the temples. There are many exciting rituals to take part in like getting your bamboo fortune read and lighting incense sticks at Wong Tai Sin Temple or partaking in the Che Kung Festival at Che Kung Temple where you can spin the wheel of fortune to bring in luck for the year ahead. 

It’s a crime to travel to a land as rich in food offerings as Hong Kong, and not make your way around the city’s best eats. Fear not because you can access this nifty culinary guide that gives you access to Hong Kong’s best chefs, restaurants, and neighbourhoods. The content has been compiled by locals so you know you’re getting an authentic experience and you can even check out a library of reels and vlogs from local influencers.