Hongkongers are all set to welcome Lunar New Year in a big way. And to commemorate the Year Of The Dragon, districts and malls across the city have organised LNY set-ups that feature everything from larger-than-life dragons and sprawling flower gardens, to lantern displays and even a Duck Tales-inspired set-up. Here’s our list of where to see the best Chinese New Year displays in Hong Kong.
Central Market — Central
Central Market will pay tribute to Hong Kong’s colourful past with its neon display suspended above The Oasis. Get your #LNY2024 click in front of neon recreations of lanterns, ducks, and of course, dragons and other Chinese New Year motifs. Check out the market on the ground floor to pick up Lunar New Year flowers, or the 30 stalls on the second floor selling a wide array of handmade products, such as artworks and decorations.
When: Until February 29, 2024
Where: Central Market, 93 Queen’s Road Central, Central
Hong Kong Cultural Centre — Tsim Sha Tsui
This is one of Hong Kong’s biggest lantern displays and pays homage to the dragon dance and local paper-crafting technique, which are both on the Intangible Cultural Heritage list. Master Chan Yiu-wah has designed this year’s lanterns, which will feature a green dragon in a nod to the Year of the Dragon and the vitality of spring. Visitors who attend the Gala Night on February 24 will get a chance to see a lantern with a dragon dancing across New Year blossoms on water pools.
When: February 2-25, 2024
Where: Hong Kong Cultural Centre, L5, Auditoria Building, 10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
Lee Tung Avenue — Wan Chai
As always, the focal point of Lee Tung Avenue’s Chinese New Year festivities will be the red lanterns suspended above the 200-metre-long pedestrian tree-lined walkway. But this year, there will be goldfish-shaped lanterns “swimming” among the red ones — a reference to the tradition of fish being used to denote abundance in Lunar New Year. And if you want a picture in front of a dragon, Lee Tung Avenue’s 8-metre-long dragon installation at the Central Piazza should do the trick!
When: February 1-March 10, 2024
Where: Lee Tung Avenue, 200 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai
Airside — Kai Tak
The centrepiece of Airside’s Chinese New Year display is a garden installation with a pink-hued flying dragon made out of fabric from recycled flags used by lion dance troupes. The dragon rests upon a structure that represents the celestial mountain. Airside has also set up interactive auspicious activities that visitors can take part in, such as “rolling out” spring couplets to share new year blessings and beating a drum in imitation of the lead drummer of a dragon dance troupe.
When: Until February 29, 2024
Where: Airside, 2 Concorde Road, Kai Tak, San Po Kong
IFC — Central
Step into the Oval Atrium of IFC and your gaze will fall upon the 6-metre-tall floral installation that sets the stage for the other spring blossom-themed attractions here. There are five petal-shaped zones, the highlight of which is Path of Blossoms with its floral pathway and two massive peach blossom trees. Check out the shimmering wings on show at the Butterfly Blessing Zone and strike a pose at the Treasured Moments spot.
When: Until February 25, 2024
Where: IFC, 8 Finance Street, Central
Citygate Outlets — Tung Chung
Need a little spring-time rejuvenation? Stroll through the Wings in Blossom set-up at Citygate Outlets and take in the beauty of the garden infused with Chinese festive traditions and Western art aesthetics. The highlights are the handcrafted peonies, orchids, lilies, hyacinths, hydrangeas, and cherry blossoms. And if you want to unleash your inner butterfly, take part in an AI test to create a version of one that matches your personality.
When: Until February 22, 2024
Where: Citygate Outlets, 20 Tat Tung Road Tung Chung
Citywalk — Tsuen Wan
The 28-metre-long dragon on display at Citywalk has been made out of recycled fabric quilt material by century-old lion dance troupe, Ha Kwok Cheung World’s Lion King Training Base — which will also stage a golden dragon and lion dance at the mall on February 18. Other Chinese New Year specials at Citywalk include a toy swap pop-up station and a 6-metre-tall wishing tree, on which visitors can place a wish card after making a HK$20 donation.
When: Until February 25, 2024
Where: Citywalk, 1 & 18 Yeung Uk Road, Tsuen Wan
Pacific Place — Admiralty
Revel in the spirit of the festival with Pacific Place’s decorations inspired by oriental pavilions, the dragon’s curves, textured scales and multicoloured hues. Walk through a shimmering corridor resplendent in shades of the season or get a video portrait (for which you’ll need to register as a Pacific Place member). If you’d like to attend more traditional ceremonies, head to the mall for the eye-dotting ceremony and lion dance parade on February 15. There is also a performance by a big jazz band on February 17 and 24.
When: Until February 25, 2024
Where: Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty
New Town Plaza — Sha Tin
New Town Plaza has teamed up with city-based handcraft designer Zoe Siu to create six photo spots featuring custom-made floral knotting. You can find these knots everywhere — from the concentric ones on the archway as you enter the display area and the wishing flower tree, to the golden carps and the flower garden.
When: Until February 25, 2024
Where: New Town Plaza, 18-19 Sha Tin Centre Street, Sha Tin
Festival Walk — Kowloon Tong
Ready to get amped up for the Year of the Dragon? Festival Walk has collaborated with Fat Coffee With — founded by Dear Jane guitarist Jackal Ng — to create some snazzy installations. There are several installations that pay tribute to several aspects of the city’s biggest celebration, with dragon, firecracker, drum, and flower motifs.
When: Until February 18, 2024
Where: Festival Walk, 80 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon Tong
Langham Place — Mong Kok
Want to find your fortune this Chinese New Year? Then head over to Langham Place, where you will be privy to Uncle Scrooge’s private vault. The legendary, albeit fictional billionaire, will make his debut in Hong Kong, along with his three grandnephews Huey, Dewey, and Louie. Once inside the vault, you will be surrounded by Scrooge’s gold coins and priceless jewels, and you can get a picture will the tycoon himself as he stands in front of his most precious possession.
When: Until February 25, 2024
Where: Langham Place, 8 Argyle Street, Mong Kok
Tsuen Wan Plaza — Tseun Wan
If you’re in the mood for cute and cuddly this season, Tsuen Wan Plaza has the answer to your wish. Visit the mall’s Happy Panda New Year Garden, complete with a giant pink panda as the centrepiece. Make your way to the Sky Park on Level 5 for another series of potential panda pics.
When: Until February 18, 2024
Where: Tsuen Wan Plaza, 4-30 Tai Pa St, Tsuen Wan
Harbour City — Tsim Sha Tsui
Harbour City will combine its Lunar New Year festivities with Hello Kitty’s 50th anniversary celebrations in Hong Kong. Apart from the three floats that feature Hello Kitty and her sister Mimmy, there is a Lion Dance Garden that gives visitors a chance to have fun and get an idea behind one of the city’s most important CNY traditions. Check out Hello Kitty on top of a plum blossom pile, wearing a large lion dance head, with four big drums behind her. And in the small garden beneath her, there is a display showcasing the history of lion dance, including lion head production, lion dance training, and the art of flag and drum performances.
When: Until February 25, 2024
Where: Harbour City, 3-27 Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
Times Square — Causeway Bay
Times Square has joined hands with Canto-pop star Panther Chan to create its Whimsical Spring Blossoms new year installation. The Open Piazza that houses the striking Whimsical Blossoms Knitway uses elements of the neon signs that are an integral part of Hong Kong’s history, and yarn motifs to reflect Panther’s love of knitting. Other highlights include the Pretty Petals Pathway, and the Bloom Bloom Drums, wishing patrons a year full of happiness and good fortune. The atrium of the mall has a knitted flower pattern flooring leading up to a mega cherry blossom tree that brings good vibes for the new year.
When: Until February 25, 2024
Where: Times Square, 1 Matheson Street, Causeway Bay
Mira Place — Tsim Sha Tsui
Step into a full-scale immersive light-and-shadow experience at Mira Place this festive season, which brings together auspicious dragons and a sea of flowers. Start your journey at the Dragons’ Blessing Garden with its red-and-gold theme, and then enter the Japanese Blooming Tunnel where you will encounter a digital dragon amid pink blossoms. Don’t forget to stop by the Dragons’ Blessing Pavilion for that ’Gram-worthy click.
When: Until February 21, 2024
Where: Mira Place, 132 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
MegaBox — Kowloon Bay
Start off the new year by heading to MegaBox’s Spring Festival of Good Fortune, where you will encounter the God of Wealth. Check out the Giant Dragon Year Fortune Cat Sculpture, and take pictures with 8 Daruma Fortune Cats. While you’re at it, visit the 5-feet-tall Fortune Cat Palm and the Japanese-inspired Kokeshi Cat of Great Fortune. You can also make a digital Fai Chun to send to family and friends.
When: Until February 25, 2024
Where: Megabox,V, Enterprise Square, 38 Wang Chiu Road, Kowloon Bay
PopCorn — Tseung Kwan O
The Blossoming Flowers installation at this TKO mall is a showcase of the colours of spring, and represents wealth and prosperity in the new year. The display revolves around a bamboo dragon structure made by combining traditional Chinese bamboo craftsmanship with Western floral creativity. Take a stroll through the garden that features 10 varieties of flowers. There will also be new year performances, variety shows, live music, and a meet-and-greet session with the god of fortune.
When: Until February 25, 2024
Where: PopCorn, Tseung Kwan O
Header image credits: Airside
