Hong Kong leader John Lee revealed the government’s plan to host a series of events from January to March this year that will highlight the special characteristics of each of the city’s 18 districts. The events — called Day x Night Vibes @ 18 Districts — will include festivities to mark the Thai New Year, a night bazaar at the Wishing Trees in Lam Tsuen, and cosplay shows at Sham Shui Po.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Lee said there will be bazaars and carnivals with different themes showcasing the different cultures and characteristics of the various districts in the city. “In Sham Shui Po, there will be cosplay events and laser tech displays. In April, Kowloon City will echo the Thailand New Year by organising the water festival and Thai boxing. In Tai Po, there will be a night bazaar and a new illuminated wishing plate at the Lam Tsuen wishing tree.”
The Lam Tsuen Wishing Trees are the focal point of the city’s Wishing-Well Festival, which takes place during Chinese New Year, and will be held between February 10 and 25, 2024. The city’s first post-pandemic Songkran festivities last year drew crowds to Kowloon City — also known as Little Thailand — where revellers took part in water-splashing events, watched Muay Thai demonstrations, and sampled Thai food.
The CE also highlighted a series of sports events that will take place in the city over the next few months, such as the upcoming Hong Kong Marathon that will have more than 70,000 runners and the next Hong Kong Sevens, which will be held at the Hong Kong Stadium for the last time before the tournament moves to Kai Tak Sports Park next year.
Lee also put the spotlight on events like the highly anticipated friendly football match between Inter Miami and Hong Kong with Lionel Messi, as well as the World Football Masters Cup headlined by Michael Owen and Paul Scholes. He also touched upon the world of fashion, by mentioning the Dior fashion show that will be held in the SAR at the end of March.
Header image credits: SongkranHK 2023