Family Friendly Activities to Do This Lunar New Year
As the Year of the Horse gallops in, it’s officially time to gather the clan, embrace the chaos, and fill your calendar with festive outings that keep both the kids and adults entertained.
Whether your ideal celebration involves flowers, fireworks, or finding creative ways to tire the children out before dinner, here’s a round-up of family-friendly things to do around Hong Kong this Lunar New Year.
1. Flower Shopping at the Flower Market in Victoria Park Causeway Bay
If there’s one place that captures the spirit of the season, it’s the Chinese New Year flower markets — especially at Victoria Park in Causeway Bay. All 14 markets across the city run from Feb. 11-17, bursting with orchids, peach blossoms, dyed pussy willows, kumquat trees, and the occasional strange knobbly plant that someone’s aunt insists is essential for good fortune.
Each flower comes with its own symbolism: peach blossoms for romance and fresh beginnings, kumquats for prosperity, chrysanthemums for resilience and longevity, and narcissus for renewal. Pick up a slightly overpriced plant and bring some auspicious energy into your living room.
Location: 1 Hing Fat St, Causeway Bay
Dates: Feb. 11-17, 2026
2. Go Watch a Lion Dance at The Peninsula Hong Kong
Few things say “New Year is here” quite like a lion dance, and The Peninsula Hong Kong is bringing one of the most spectacular shows on Feb. 17, 2026, at 9 AM.
Watch as elaborately costumed lions burst into the hotel lobby, drums pounding in sync with their every move. The traditional eye-dotting ceremony “awakens” the lions, setting the stage for a mesmerizing performance of leaps, spins, and blessings for good fortune.
Just as thrilling as you remember — this is an unforgettable way to start the holiday.
Location: Salisbury Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui
Date: Feb. 17, 2026
3. Cathay International Chinese New Year Night Parade
Get ready, Tsim Sha Tsui — because on Feb. 17, the Chinese New Year Night Parade turns the streets into one long, glowing runway of color and lights. Kicking off at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza and weaving down Canton Road, Haiphong Road, and Nathan Road, before ending near the Sheraton Hong Kong Hotel & Towers, the parade promises a sparkly evening from 8:30 PM to 10:30 PM.
This year, the streets will dazzle with colorful lights, lanterns, and a high-energy line-up of local and international performers. Although tickets for the spectator stands at the Cultural Centre are sold out, the parade can still be enjoyed for free along the route, just stake out a pavement spot and soak up Hong Kong’s biggest, most joyful street party to ring in the Year of the Horse.
Location: 10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon
Date: Feb. 17, 2026
4. Fireworks Display on the Harbourfront
Hong Kong’s skyline is set to steal the spotlight on Wednesday, Feb. 18 at 8 PM, when the annual Chinese New Year Fireworks Display explodes over Victoria Harbour in a 23-minute, 31, 888-shell spectacle. Coordinated by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and sponsored by the Hong Kong Jockey Club, this year’s show blends heritage with creativity that will light up Hong Kong like never before.
Themed “Prosperity Gallops Across Hong Kong,” the light show opens with horses charging across the sky, building into sweeping layers of fireworks that evoke thousands more in motion.
Expect symbolic nods throughout, from glowing “8” formations and golden ingots, to a serene sequence ending with the character “吉” for good fortune. The finale, titled “Triumphant Achievement”, promises crown-shaped fireworks and rapid-fire bursts that go out with a bang.
Enhanced lighting effects will amplify the drama, and you can catch the show from both sides of the harbor: Tsim Sha Tsui, Central, Wan Chai, Causeway Bay, Hung Hom and even Mid-Levels vantage points. For the full cinematic effect, tune into RTHK Radio 4 (FM 97.6–98.9) for synchronized music.
Location: Multiple Locations across Hong Kong
Date: Feb. 18, 2026
5. Ocean Park
If you want your CNY to be equal parts tradition and cuteness overload, make a beeline for Ocean Park Hong Kong. The park’s Lunar Fiesta is going full festive mode with high-energy lion and dragon dances thundering across Aqua City Lagoon (Feb. 17 to Feb. 22), plus surprise appearances from the God of Fortune, who will be making the rounds at Waterfront Plaza all day to personally hand-deliver those prosperity vibes.
Over at the Whirl-a-Wish Panda Garden, giant windmills spin alongside panda favorites Le Le, Ying Ying and their cubs Jia Jia and De De. There’s also AXA Presents: Ocean Park x Sanrio “Marine Wonders”, where six beloved Sanrio characters dive into ocean-themed adventures. To top it off, Ocean Park’s Cathay International Chinese New Year Night Parade float is on display, complete with mini Ocean Express trains, cable cars and Ferris wheel details.
The “2-Can-Go” Adult Package is priced at HK$807, reduced from the original price of HK$1076. The “3-Can-Go” Adult Package is available for HK$1131, down from its original price of HK$1614. Get your tickets here.
Location: Ocean Park, 180 Wong Chuk Hang Road, Aberdeen
Dates: Feb. 17 to Mar. 22, 2026
6. Visit Times Square’s CNY Wonderland
Kick off the Year of the Horse at Times Square, Causeway Bay with “KNOT KNOT HAPPY NEW YEAR," running from Jan. 30 to Mar. 3, 2026. This free, daily wonderland is packed with festive fun: snap under a giant 4.5-metre peach blossom tree, wander glowing lantern corridors, dive into immersive art domes, and try your hand at knot-tying or sweet-making. With fortune-filled decorations and endless Instagram moments, it’s the ultimate Lunar New Year playground for families and photo-hunters alike.
Location: Times Square, Matheson St, Bowrington
Dates: Jan. 30 to Mar. 3, 2026
7. Festilumi
Looking for a night out that everyone — humans and furry friends included— will love? Festilumi is lighting up the Wan Chai Harbourfront Event Space with its first-ever Hong Kong edition: an open-air, nighttime arts experience featuring over 20,000 glowing sculptures and towering LED installations.
As darkness falls, the promenade transforms into nine magical worlds, from endless fields of light poles to twinkling starry scenes. It’s the ultimate backdrop for romantic strolls, squad photo ops, and dazzling IG content.
Tickets are HK$128 (or grab a seven-person bundle for HK$792). Pet owners, take note: Sundays are “Pets Nights”, so don’t forget to bring your four-legged friend along for a glowing evening wander. Get your tickets here.
Location: Wan Chai Harbour Front Event Space
Dates: Dec. 12, 2025 to Apr. 26, 2026.
8. AIA Carnival
If you’re not quite ready to let go of peak holiday madness, there’s still time to catch the fun at AIA Carnival before it wraps on Mar. 1, 2026 at the Central Harbourfront. This year’s edition is the biggest yet, with over 50 attractions and eight new rides — including the Big Ben Tower, officially the world’s tallest mobile swing ride, flinging brave souls 80 meters into the sky (very on-theme for “rising” into the Year of the Horse).
The real showstopper, though, is the Winter World Circus by Gandeys Circus — a brand-new 60-minute production packed with gravity-defying stunts, fire-fueled acts and elite roller-skating, fresh from a 40-year global tour.
Expect Argentinian gauchos, Mongolian roller-skaters, and motorcross riders inside a glowing steel sphere, as well as a lot of clowning around. Circus tickets start from HK$150 (HK$250 standard), include free entry to the carnival, and students get free carnival access plus BOGO circus deals. High-octane, chaotic, and fun— the ingredients of an epic Lunar New Year night out. Book your tickets here.
Location: AIA Carnival, Lung Wo Road, Central
Dates: Dec. 22, 2025 to Mar. 1, 2026
9. Noah’s Ark in Ma Wan
Why not head over to Noah's Ark Hong Kong and have a go at traditional Chinese arts and crafts. The park is hosting a series of workshops centered around traditional folk crafts and intangible cultural heritage, from DIY blessing horse knot charms and sugar painting to bamboo weaving and postcard-making.
There are also animal encounters and themed builder activities dotted around the space, making it easy to spend a slow afternoon wandering, snacking, and trying something new.
Ticket promos are generous too — including buy-two-get-one-free admission, game tokens, dining coupons and even a complimentary one-way ferry or bus ride. It’s a solid excuse for a day trip that is both festive and creative.
Queue-up tickets and game tokens are required for joining Blessing Horse Knots Charm D.I.Y., Sweet Sugar Painting Workshop and Bamboo Weaving Fun.
Location: 33 Pak Yan Road, Ma Wan, New Territories
Dates: Feb. 17 to Feb. 22, 2026
10. Cinema Outing
In the unlikely event that it rains – you can always head to the cinema. On this Lunar New Year is the cartoon feature film GOAT, a new action-comedy from Sony Pictures Animation.
Set in an all-animal world, it follows Will — a very small goat with very big dreams — who gets a surprise shot at going pro in roarball, a chaotic, full-contact sport dominated by much bigger, much fiercer players.
His new teammates aren’t too pleased about the rookie addition, but Will’s determined to shake things up and prove that size isn’t everything. Easy, feel-good viewing, plus it’s family friendly, for when you just want to sit back and switch off this holiday season. Get your tickets now here!
Location: Multiple Locations across Hong Kong
Dates: Releasing on Feb. 12, 2026
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