Year of the Snake: How to Celebrate Lunar New Year in Hong Kong

Lunar New Year in Hong Kong is a vibrant celebration of tradition, culture, and festivity, making it one of the most exciting times to visit the city. As the city ushers in the Year of the Snake, streets come alive with dazzling decorations, lively parades, and glowing lanterns that symbolize prosperity and renewal.
From visiting temples to pray for good fortune to indulging in sumptuous festive feasts and shopping for seasonal treats, there’s something for everyone. Whether you’re tossing Lo Hei for luck, marveling at fireworks over Victoria Harbour, or strolling through flower markets, Hong Kong offers countless ways to immerse yourself in the spirit of the new year!
What to Do
Watch Festive Shows and Parades

Celebrate Lunar New Year with the dazzling Cathay International Chinese New Year Night Parade on Jan. 29, 2025, from 8 PM onwards. Welcoming the Year of the Snake, this lively event promises a spectacular display of wisdom, grace, and renewal through intricately designed floats and captivating performances by local and international talent.
The parade begins at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza in Tsim Sha Tsui, proceeding along Canton Road, Haiphong Road, and Nathan Road, before concluding at the Sheraton Hong Kong Hotel and Towers. Plan your visit by using the MTR for convenient access to the parade route, disembarking at Tsim Sha Tsui or East Tsim Sha Tsui stations.
Go to Lunar New Year Fairs and Markets

Celebrate the spirit of renewal by visiting the 2025 Lunar New Year Fairs, running from Jan. 23 to 29. These vibrant markets, held in 15 parks and playgrounds across the city including Victoria Park in Causeway Bay and Fa Hui Park in Sham Shui Po, offer a delightful way to prepare for the Year of the Snake. Browse through an array of colorful blossoms like peach flowers and calamondin, which are cherished symbols of good fortune, wealth, and prosperity in Chinese culture, or explore festive stalls filled with traditional decorations, seasonal treats, gifts, and more! Admission is free.
See Festive Lights and Decorations

Hong Kong transforms into a dazzling wonderland with vibrant lights and decorations adorning streets, landmarks, and shopping districts. Iconic spots like Victoria Harbour and Tsim Sha Tsui are already lit up with festive displays, but if you want something specific that your little ones will enjoy, you might want to visit MCP in Tseung Kwan O and MOSTown in Ma On Shan to catch their "Lucky Up New Year" campaign in collaboration with the LEGO® Group.
From Jan. 10 to Feb. 16, 2025, explore nine Insta-worthy zones and interactive areas including the MOSTown x LEGO® New Year Fortune Garden, featuring Hong Kong’s largest LEGO® Botanical Collection Flower Bed with 6,888 colorful blossoms symbolizing prosperity. At MCP, immerse yourself in a LEGO® playground with the 4-meter-tall MCP Fortune Pinball Game to discover your luck, or marvel at the Fortune Wishing Pool beneath a 3.5-meter LEGO® Peach Tree. Kids can unleash their creativity with DUPLO® Lucky Pinwheels, while visitors of all ages can enjoy building race cars for the Formula-Fun Race.

If LEGO® isn't your thing, you and your family can celebrate at Citygate's "Catch the Luck" instead. Happening until Feb. 16, 2025, in collaboration with Nestlé® KITKAT®, this festive event features eight interactive installations spotlighting Lucky Cats and Darumas. Highlights include the towering Japanese lanterns crafted by local artisan Mo Cheng and students, AI fortune-telling games, exclusive red packet and e-voucher redemptions, and limited-edition KITKAT® Lunar New Year treats like the KITKAT® Milo® Chocolate sharing bag. Traditional lion dances, Japanese New Year performances, and stunning photo spots are also available to add to the vibrant atmosphere.
Pray for Good Fortune at Temples

For a meaningful start to the Lunar New Year, visit Hong Kong’s most revered temples to pray for good fortune and blessings. Wong Tai Sin Temple, located in Kowloon, is famed for its wish-granting powers and is a popular spot for kau cim, a traditional practice where worshippers shake bamboo sticks for personalized fortune predictions. The temple, dedicated to the Taoist deity Wong Tai Sin, is especially popular for visitors seeking health, prosperity, and harmony.
Another must-visit is Man Mo Temple, a tranquil sanctuary in Sheung Wan dedicated to Man, the god of literature, and Mo, the god of martial arts. Known for its towering incense coils and ornate architecture, it draws those praying for wisdom, academic success, or career growth. Finally, Che Kung Temple in Sha Tin honors the Song Dynasty general Che Kung and is famous for its Wheel of Fortune, which visitors spin to invoke luck and protection.
What to Get
Presents for Friends and Family

Celebrate the Lunar New Year in Hong Kong with a mix of playful gifts for kids and indulgent delicacies for adults. For the young ones, Jellycat’s Cizi Snake plush is a charming choice, featuring contrasting forest green and pale-yellow fur, soft textured scales, and a sweet smile perfect for cuddles. Another eye-catching option is the Amuseables Rayray Lantern that adds a playful touch with its bold red and gold design, stitched smile, and hanging loop for easy decoration.

Adults, on the other hand, can enjoy the culinary artistry of Chef May Chow’s Festive Cake Series, which offers a modern take on traditional Lunar New Year delicacies. The signature Beetroot Turnip Cake blends vibrant beetroot with premium ingredients like Hong Kong’s iconic rose wine sausages and Japanese shiitake mushrooms.
The Purple Sweet Potato Taro Cake combines creamy sweet potatoes and fragrant taro, while the Golden Salted Egg Yolk Pumpkin Cake delights with rich salted egg yolks and sweet pumpkin. These elegantly packaged cakes, free from white sugar and additives, are perfect for sharing meaningful moments with family and friends during this festive season.
New Clothes for the New Year
Prepare for the Lunar New Year in Hong Kong by refreshing your wardrobe with festive new clothes. Red and white are popular choices for welcoming the Year of the Snake as they symbolize luck, joy, and renewal.

If you want a sporty twist to your festive preparations, why not grab a fit from Lululemon’s Lunar New Year Capsule collection? This exclusive collection combines comfort and style with designs perfect for the celebration. Plus, with every purchase of HK$1,000 or more at Hong Kong and Macau stores or online, you'll receive a complimentary set of 8 Lululemon red packets.
What to Eat
Celebrate Lunar New Year in Hong Kong with a feast of festive delights that showcase the city's vibrant culinary culture. Begin your celebrations with Lo Hei, a traditional dish of colorful shredded vegetables and raw fish symbolizing prosperity and abundance, served at many restaurants during the season.

For those with a sweet tooth, indulge in the classic Chinese New Year puddings, available in both traditional and creative variations like Duddell’s Taro Pudding or Hung Tong’s Pandan Pudding. These cherished treats, symbolizing unity and good fortune, make for perfect gifts or table centerpieces.
Many restaurants also offer limited-time menus featuring luxurious dishes to welcome the Year of the Snake. From Ho Lee Fook’s Hong Kong Style Lamb Belly Pot to Ming Pavilion’s Sharing-Style Set Menu with Steamed Lobster, these culinary creations blend tradition with innovation.
For an indulgent experience, visit Cafe Marco’s Chinese New Year Dinner Buffet, complete with a fireworks viewing deck to end your year (literally) with a bang!
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