New Years Eve 2024 in Hong Kong is a big occasion and people here celebrate it in a grand way. Since Hong Kong is a mix of many cultures which is influenced by the West and has a major influence of Chinese tradition, the new year is celebrated twice in this region.
Apart from the Calendar year celebrations, they also celebrate the Chinese New Year in a grand way which comes during the 1st day until 15th day of the first lunar month. Since they follow a different calendar based on Lunar movements, the CNY date varies every year.
Fireworks, events, countdown parties
Best areas to join NYE parties in the early evening are the Central, Causeway Bay and Tsim Sha Tsui regions, where you can enjoy the best views of the night lights along the Hong Kong harbor. The eponymous Times Square shopping mall also holds their own New Year’s Eve ball drop event, mimicking the famous and much-watched event held at Times Square in New York City of United States. Large scale outdoor NYE celebrations also take place in Mong Kok, Tsuen Wan, Sha Tin or Kwun Tong districts.
At midnight, if you cannot get to or aren’t inclined to jockey for position to watch the NYE fireworks over HK Victoria Harbor, then you could instead head for the Two International Finance Center, where there will be a large digital display countdown to midnight on an enormous digital clock mounted on the side of the tower, followed by an amazing fireworks display and an exhibition of the Symphony of Lights.
Celebrations
The Chinese New Year is celebrated with a lot of rituals and people still follow most of the tradition when it comes to new years celebrations. It is a tradition to offer incense sticks during New Years Eve in Hong Kong at midnight. During this time, people pray for good luck and good fortune for their family members and visit temples. The Wong Tai Sin temple is very famous in Hong Kong and it is believed that all the prayers will be answered if it is done with devotion in this temple.
People who follow Taoism come to this temple and light incense sticks at the main altar and make a wish by shaking the bamboo sticks which is placed inside the bamboo holder. This traditional ritual is called Kau Cim during which one of the bamboo sticks will fall out of the holder and then a piece of paper indicating the number of the bamboo stick is taken out which indicates your fortune. The fortune tellers around the region are in great demand during this season and it is similar to palm reading which is practiced in many parts of the world.
Apart from traditional rituals, New Years Eve in Hong Kong also calls for lot of celebrations and shopping. Especially during the Christmas season and New Years Eve, the popular shopping malls in Hong Kong are crowded with people. Both locals and tourists indulge in shopping during this season which offers excellent discount to customers.
Accommodations
If you are planning to spend your holidays on Christmas and New Years Eve in Hong Kong, earlier booking is highly recommended. Check out the best online resources for your perfect hotel reservation.
