Chinese New Year Firework Performance

• Location: Hong Kong

Hong Kong Chinese New Year fireworks

The Chinese New Year fireworks show is a big annual tourist event in Hong Kong. The fireworks are displayed in conjunction with the Symphony of Lights.

It is a main attraction to enjoy in Hong Kong on the second day of the three-day Spring Festival holidays. 

Chinese New Year Fireworks over Victoria Harbour

Fireworks explode over Victoria Harbour on the day after the Chinese New Year day. It coincides with the record-setting Symphony of Lights. The harbor roars with a giant 25 minute fireworks display with lasers and choreographed building lights on the dozens of participating buildings.

You'll probably hear extra-loud booming detonations that are intended (according to Chinese tradition) to scare away the evil spirits from the whole area. This display is bigger and longer than the regular New Year's fireworks at midnight on January 1st.

Where/When to Watch the Fireworks

Bruce Lee statue on the Avenue of Stars

The Avenue of Stars is the best place to watch since you can also watch the Hong Kong Pulse laser show behind you. While there, you can see the handprints and statues that commemorate Hong Kong's actors. There are permanent viewing stands there from which you can hear the accompanying music and dialogue.

A long pedestrian promenade extends eastwards from the Avenue of Stars about one kilometer. This promenade gives a view of Victoria Peak and the stunning skyline of brightly lit skyscrapers on Hong Kong Island, but you can't see the 3D Pulse show from this vantage point.

Vantage Point on Hong Kong Island

Victoria Harbor blazes with fireworks, while the lights dance on the buildings.

Along with the promenade, you can join the crowds on Hong Kong Island. Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai is a place to watch. It too is equipped with loudspeakers for narration and music. The IFC Tower is a good vantage point too.

Boats: There are also cruises scheduled for that hour. Perhaps you'll be able to enjoy the spectacular fireworks performance from a boat in Victoria Harbour as you float and dine below the extravaganza.

The Symphony of Lights Show (8 PM daily)

Fireworks in Hong Kong during Chinese New Year

The fireworks are set aloft in conjunction with the regular Symphony of Lights with its colorful building lights and laser light show. It is still the largest such building lighting event in the world. It is free holiday light show.

The skyscrapers go through their paces while the tens of thousands of spectators listen to the orchestrated music and narration played on loudspeakers for the event. The Hong Kong Cultural Center lights up with amazing computer generated graphics.

The best place to watch the light show is along the Avenue of Stars, or you could have a meal on a restaurant boat. Loudspeakers broadcast music and the accompanying narrative.

Hong Kong Pulse 3D Light Show

The ICC Tower lighting effects are a part of the Symphony of Lights show.

A major exhibition for Chinese New Year is the exhibition of laser audiovisual display that dazzles the crowds in and around the plaza of the clock tower near the Star Ferry in Tsim Sha Tsui. The lasers are tuned for 3D projection, and they play up pictures that float on the walls of the Hong Kong Cultural Center and fly around the plaza.

It is astounding, but expect it to be crowded. It is much more popular than the regular Symphony of Lights. The Avenue of Stars near the Star Ferry is the best place to catch the 3D Pulse visuals and the fireworks.

Dining and Shopping Information Before the Fireworks

The Lung King Heen's ethereal dining area during dinner is ideal for watching the harbor.

Gourmet dining: We recommend book early if you want to dine in the fine restaurants. Well-situated Michelin-starred restaurants are in the IFC Tower such as the 3 Michelin Starred (2019) Lung King Heen.

Fine dining: Across the harbor in the huge Bay Harbor Mall that is only 100 meters away from the best vantage points in front of the Cultural Center are the non-starred but popular BLT Steak for American steak and the Dan Ryan for hamburgers.

Both the IFC and the Bay Harbour allow you to enjoy a fine dinner and are on-site, so you can go out and find good places to watch, beating the difficult crowds that usually start to converge and clog the roads two hours before midnight.

Snacks and street food: The Temple Street Market pedestrian street in Kowloon about a kilometer from the harbor is a place to browse for bargains and snack or have a meal beforehand. Before the parade, you could tour the area's attractions and shop and dine.

Shopping: Before the parade, you could tour the attractions and shop and dine. Hong Kong's biggest mall, Harbour City, is open along the parade route and so is iSquare that fills a skyscraper by Nathan Road.

Spring Festival Touring Information

Victoria Peak is another possible viewpoint for the fireworks.

The Spring Festival is the period of heaviest travel in China. The busiest travel days extend from a few days before the Chinese New Year until about 8 days afterwards. Expect higher prices and crowds in the mainland, but in Hong Kong, you'll find that prices are unusually low. It is a good time to shop for bargains as the stores try to reduce their stocks of unsold merchandise this winter.

Transportation: Buses 6 and 7 along Nathan Road are a quick way to get to the parade area in the Tsim Sha Tsui area. The MTR Tsim Sha Tsui Station has several exits along or near the parade route.

Weather: The weather in February is usually mild and warm or cool.

Get there early: With almost 300,000 people cramming into the small areas along the shoreline, it is important to get into a good position early, perhaps about 3 hours earlier. Otherwise, you'll find the trains and the streets too crowded and the roads and travel routes blocked off.

Touring Hong Kong with China Highlights

With our guides and drivers, you can relax and enjoy China.

We specialize in designing personalized tours. Let our regional experts guide you on a great Hong Kong tour, and they'll help you find the best events and things to do for you and enjoy the lower prices available in the region this year.

We can create your own Chinese New Year tour to visit the places you want in Hong Kong and China. All our tour plans can be customized.

Discover Hong Kong and China Your Way

• Imperial and Scenic China Family Tour - In the winter travel season, you and your family can enjoy amazing Beijing, Guilin, and Hong Kong for less.