Top Chinese New Year Events For Kids And Families In Hong Kong 2024

CHINESE NEW YEAR IN HONG KONG 2024 - 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 2024 - 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 2024

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 (February 10, 2024), 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 Dragon. Once the night parade concludes, you can admire the magnificent floats up close at The Urban Council Centenary Garden in Tsim Sha Tsui from February 11 to 25, 2024. 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 February 11, 2024! 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 2024

Celebrate Chinese New Year with the whole family at Lee Tung Avenue in Hong Kong! From 1st February to 10th March 2024, Lee Tung Avenue is hosting the “Lanterns-Lit Year of the Dragon” 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 2024

Join the "Magical Year After Year" Chinese New Year Celebration at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort until February 25, 2024. Enjoy Chinese New Year-themed decorations, goodies and festivities - highlights include:

• Receive Disney-themed lai see with surprises like chocolate coins, merchandise, and coupons.
• Watch the all-new "Mickey's Year of the Dragon Celebration" castle stage show featuring dragon kites and characters from Raya and the Last Dragon.
• Meet Mickey, Minnie, and other Disney friends dressed in festive attire!
• Make a wish at the brand-new Lunar New Year Wishing Wall by spending HK$300 or more at merchandise shops.
• Shop for Chinese New Year-themed merchandise and indulge in exclusive GODIVA New Year gift boxes and themed snacks.
• Visit the World of Frozen to receive royal blessings from Anna and Elsa and capture a photo with the chocolate Arendelle Castle. Secure your spot at the enchanting "Playhouse in the Woods" by obtaining admission passes and immersing yourself in a unique and captivating theatrical journey alongside Anna and Elsa.

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 AT OCEAN PARK 2024

Celebrate the Year of the Dragon with an abundance of joy at Ocean Park! Kick off the new year with a bang at Waterfront Plaza with the Fortune Dragon Drums, where you can drum up auspicious goodwill and wish for prosperity. Immerse yourself in the journey of Dazzling Neon Lights Up Old Hong Kong, as you explore the streetscape adorned with stylish new neon signs and enjoy nostalgic snacks. Experience the debut of the brand new All Stars Jam show, featuring Whiskers and Friends forming a band called Ocean 6N1. For all the highlights click here.

Don’t miss the opportunity to catch Le Petit Prince’s 80th Anniversary Galactic Voyage at Ocean Park, where you can spend more time with the renowned French character and his friend, the fox. Click here for all the details!

Ocean Park, https://www.oceanpark.com.hk/lunar-fiesta-2024

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 2024 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 February 10 to 24, 2024 and admission is free. Take the kids to this unique traditional clad festival. The commute may be longer depending on where you are traveling from. Little Steps recommends 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 - 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. We've listed here some noteworthy ones:

• Pacific Place's Prosperity Shimmers Every Color (pictured) until February 25, 2024
• ifc's Petals Of Prosperity from January 30-February 25, 2024
• Citywalk's A Hundred Blessings For A Caring Community until February 25, 2024
• AIRSIDE's A Dragon In The Sky until February 29, 2024
• Mira Place's Dragon's Blessing until February 21, 2024
• MTR Malls' Blooming Flowers & Soaring Vibrancy at Telford Plaza, Maritime Square, PopCorn, THE LOHAS and The Wai until February 25, 2024

CHINESE NEW YEAR EVENTS: Top Events For Kids And Families

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

• Little Nature Wanderlust's Chinese New Year Party: join for an afternoon of Chinese New Year-themed sensory play, dumpling making and traditional arts and crafts; there will even be a lion dance parade at the end! Locations across Hong Kong.
• Feather & Bone's Fab Kid's Club Chinese New Year Edition: have the kids enjoy an afternoon of designing lion dance costumes and decorating at F&B's lovely outdoor terrace in Tsuen Wan West on February 4, 2024. Tickets (HK$450 per family of 4) include drinks and snacks, as well as a lion costume kit, decorating tools, and more goodies!
• Complete Deelite's CNY Workshop: learn to make delightful dragon baos for Chinese New Year on February 3 & 17, 2024. Suitable for kids aged 6 and above.
• Handmade Hong Kong Chinese New Year Market on February 4, 2024 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.

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 2024

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