Top Chinese New Year Events For Kids And Families In Hong Kong 2025

CHINESE NEW YEAR IN HONG KONG 2025 - What Are We Celebrating?

According to an ancient legend, people were once tormented by a beast called a Nian (Year), a ferocious creature with an extremely large mouth capable of swallowing several people in a single bite. Relief from the Nian came only when an old man tricked the beast into disappearing. In reality, Chinese New Year festivities are more of a desire to celebrate the end of winter and the fertility and rebirth that come with the spring. Today, New Year is about family reunions and wishing everyone good fortune in the coming year.

CHINESE NEW YEAR IN HONG KONG 2025 - What To Expect?

Prior to New Year's Day, Chinese families decorate their living rooms with beautiful flowers, platters of oranges and tangerines, and a candy tray with different kinds of dried sweet fruit. There are also the traditional feasts! Whole fish, which represents togetherness and abundance, and a chicken, which represents prosperity, are prepared for family and friends. Also, note that a lot of restaurants and shops will be closed during the New Year, so call ahead.

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CHINESE NEW YEAR IN HONG KONG - Visit The Flower Markets

Visiting the Victoria Park Flower Market over Chinese New Year is a must-do for families looking to attend a top market to experience and purchase all the lucky plants associated with the holiday. While the market can be crowded, it is a lot of fun. Give the kids a bit of cash to select their own lucky plant to bring back to their happy home. It’s a fun family outing for all. Flower markets will be held all across the city, but the one in Victoria Park is certainly the most popular. Click here for more information.

CHINESE NEW YEAR PARADE IN TSIM SHA TSUI 2025

The spectacular Chinese New Year Night Parade is back on after a five-year hiatus! Held on the first day of the Lunar New Year (January 29, 2025), the parade has become the pinnacle of the festive season in Hong Kong. This vibrant parade showcases dazzling floats and extraordinary performances by local and international groups, illuminating the streets of Tsim Sha Tsui. Before the main show, a lively street party sets the mood for an unforgettable beginning to the Year of the Snake. Click here for all you need to know!

CHINESE NEW YEAR IN HONG KONG - Enjoy The Spectacular Fireworks!

The spectacular Chinese New Year fireworks are back on January 30, 2025! Check out all these vantage points across Hong Kong to get the best views, or make it a night to remember and add in a special dinner to boot. We've chosen the best restaurants with views of the harbor and exclusive Chinese New Year menus here.

CHINESE NEW YEAR AT LEE TUNG AVENUE 2025

Celebrate Chinese New Year with the whole family at Lee Tung Avenue in Hong Kong! From January 14 to March 2, 2025, Lee Tung Avenue is hosting the “Lanterns-Lit Year of the Snake” event, offering a magical experience for everyone. Enjoy the festive ambiance and stroll along the 200-meter tree-lined pedestrian walkway adorned with hundreds of vibrant red and goldfish-shaped lanterns as well as the magnificent eight-meter-long golden dragon installation, a beloved symbol of Chinese culture. And everyone is invited to decorate the dragon’s body with the guidance of the on-site art instructors! Click here for more info!

CHINESE NEW YEAR AT HONG KONG DISNEYLAND 2025

Hong Kong Disneyland Resort is set to celebrate 2025 with a series of exciting events. From January 17 to February 16, enjoy the “Magical Year After Year” Chinese New Year Celebration, featuring festive gatherings with beloved Disney characters, special meals, and unique gifts. Following this celebration, from February 21 to May 7, visitors can embark on exciting adventures with Duffy and Friends during the “Duffy and Friends Play Days,” complete with new surprises and themed activities. The festivities include a vibrant “Mickey and Friends Year of the Snake Processional” and delicious reunion meals at various resort restaurants. You can also explore exclusive merchandise and participate in interactive experiences, making it a magical start to the Year of the Snake.

Book your tickets here now! Disneyland Hong Kong is open every day during Chinese New Year.

Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, https://www.hongkongdisneyland.com/

CHINESE NEW YEAR RACEDAY 2025

The Chinese New Year Raceday on January 31, 2025, is a highlight of Hong Kong’s festive calendar, attracting racing enthusiasts and families alike. Attendees can immerse themselves in the excitement of thrilling horse races while also enjoying vibrant lion dance performances, an electrifying variety show, and live music at the Sha Tin Racecourse, all designed to usher in a prosperous new year.
For visitors to Hong Kong, there’s an added bonus: free admission to the Public Enclosure (excluding fee-charging venues) at either Sha Tin or Happy Valley Racecourse is available by simply presenting a valid travel document upon entry. Otherwise, you can just get tickets at the door - but it can get very busy! Doors open 2 hours before the race, which starts at 11:30am.

Chinese New Year Raceday, Sha Tin Racecourse, Sha Tin, Hong Kong, https://www.hkjc.com/home/english/index.aspx

CHINESE NEW YEAR CUP 2025

Get ready to witness some of the greatest footballers of our time at the Chinese New Year Cup 2025 on February 1, 2025. This star-studded friendly match will feature legends like Kaká, Rivaldo, Paul Scholes, Cafu, and David Silva as they take on a team of local football stars at the Hong Kong Stadium. This event marks the last opportunity to see these iconic players at this venue before the tournament moves to Kai Tak Sports Park. Don’t miss your chance to experience this thrilling celebration of football during the Lunar New Year festivities! Tickets are available here.

Chinese New Year Cup 2025, Hong Kong Stadium, Happy Valley, Hong Kong, https://www.facebook.com/cnycup2025

HONG KONG'S WELL-WISHING FESTIVAL IN LAM TSUEN

Hong Kong's Well-Wishing Festival returns to Lam Tsuen after a four-year hiatus! Visit Lam Tsuen in Tai Po during the Lunar New Year 2025 and join the Hong Kong Well-wishing Festival. You and your little fortune seekers can make wishes at the Lam Tsuen Wishing Trees and enjoy fun cultural activities galore such as throwing the wishing placards, sampling the traditional snacks of the Hakka people at the local food carnival, or taking part in the Wishing Lanterns Lighting Ceremony and more. It's super fun!

The colorful event will run from January 29 to February 12, 2025 from 8:30am - 7:00pm and admission is free. Take the kids to this unique traditional clad festival. For transport, we recommend taking an MTR to Tai Wo Station and hopping onto a free shuttle or taxi to the Lam Tsuen Wishing Square. Here's the Chinese name for the destination to help you guide the taxi driver: 林村許願樹. Be sure to check out the parade floats that will be found out and about at the festival!

Stay tuned on their social media for all the updates!

Hong Kong Well-Wishing Festival, Lam Tsuen Wishing Square, 8 Heung Kung Sho Road, Lam Tsuen, Tai Po, New Territories, Hong Kong

CHINESE NEW YEAR MALL DECORATIONS 2025 - Festive Displays

Beautiful festive Chinese New Year decorations now adorn major shopping malls across Hong Kong! Expect red lanterns, lion dances, kid-friendly workshops, dragon displays, bright colors, and blooming flowers all around creating cute photo opportunities for the family. Explore our guide to the best festive displays here!

CHINESE NEW YEAR EVENTS: Top Events For Kids And Families

Special Chinese New Year Events & Workshops For You And The Family

• Chinese New Year workshops with Bimbo Concept: dumpling making, arts and crafts, music and more plus access to their fabulous playroom in Admiralty.
• Handmade Hong Kong Chinese New Year Market on January 19, 2025 from 11:00am - 6:00pm: head to Discovery Bay for a perfect family-friendly day out and to pick up some beautiful Chinese New Year-themed crafts as well as food and other handmade products from local artisans and vendors.
• Visit Central Market this Chinese New Year where you can enjoy Disney-themed displays, engage in workshops, browse festive stalls and more.

Family-Friendly Events For Your Diary This January

We've rounded up the best events happening this month and many are of course related to the Lunar celebrations!

• Check all family-friendly events happening this January in Hong Kong here

Last Minute Family-Friendly Chinese New Year Staycation Hotel Deals In Hong Kong 2024

It’s the year of the Dragon and Hong Kong’s finest hotels are rolling out Chinese New Year staycation offers focused on family adventures and carefree quality time.

• Check out our top family-friendly Chinese New Year staycations!

Chinese New Year Camps In Hong Kong - Top Picks For Kids For 2024!

From creative crafts to Mandarin fun, and from multi-sport play to jazzy musicals, here is our cherry-picked selection of Hong Kong’s best Chinese New Year camp offerings for kids!

• Guide To Top CNY Camps For Kids 2024

Chinese New Year Dining And Takeaways In Hong Kong 2025

Many excellent Hong Kong restaurants have prepared fantastic menus to celebrate Chinese New Year in style. Whether you wish to eat out or take in, check out our guide here:

• Chinese New Year Dining 2024

CHINESE NEW YEAR IN HONG KONG - Chinese Dress And Cheongsams

It's the season to dress to impress for Chinese New Year events, school celebrations, family gatherings, and more. Little Steps has shopped the markets, designers, and boutiques to give you the scoop on where to buy the perfect outfits for your little ones.

Guide On Where To Buy Cheongsams + Chinese Dress, Click here

CHINESE NEW YEAR IN HONG KONG - Lai See And Red Packets

During Chinese New Year, there is also a tradition of offering lai see or ya sui qian (red packets filled with money) to bring good fortune and to ensure that kids and single people can begin the new year with some cash in their pockets. The envelopes often have Chinese characters that translate to “good fortune” or “good in business” printed on them and are sometimes accompanied by Chinese paper cuts.

Red Packets 101 (Do's & Don'ts), Click here

CHINESE NEW YEAR IN HONG KONG - Traditional Food To Try

Chinese New Year is like Christmas in the West, a perfect opportunity to gather with friends and family to enjoy some traditional food. Check out Little Steps' guide to know what you and your kids should try during the festive season!

• Little Steps Guide To Chinese New Year Food, Click here
• DIY Sweet Dumplings - Chinese New Year Recipe For Kids, Click here