2018 Chinese New Year's Eve Flower Markets in HK and Macau

Celebrated: Feb. 15
Location: Hong Kong

In both Hong Kong and Macau, a major tradition for Chinese New Year’s Day is giving fresh flowers, potted plants, and bouquets as gifts. So the flower markets set up for this even start to fill several days beforehand, especially on the eve of Chinese New Year.

A lot of sentimental and emotional significance is attached to this custom, and the various kinds of flowers given as gifts denote different wishes or signs.

Why Just HK and Macau?

Flower market

The residents of the two cities like and can afford very fresh flowers, so there are huge crowds buying flowers at the major flower markets and flower shops.

Though some people in mainland China, especially Cantonese in Guangdong Province, give gifts of flowers on New Years Day, giving flowers isn’t as important a custom there as in the two regions of HK and Macau. See more on Guangzhou Spring Festival Flower Fair.

It is thought that gifts of fresh flowers and plants give good luck. So it is a part of how Hong Kong and Macau people celebrate their holidays.

The Hong Kong Flower Rush (Thursday, Feb. 15, 2018)

Peonies are for prosperity

In Hong Kong, on Chinese New Year's Eve, February 15, the crowds are especially heavy at the flower markets. About 15 temporary markets are set up each year in parks or other public places. The scramble can get intense. Many vendors keep selling after midnight.

Many Hongkongers have their Chinese New Year’s Eve family reunion dinner, and then they go out and shop to be able to present fresh flowers, toys, and holiday foods to the important people in their lives on Chinese New Year's Day, when people want to rest and be home with family and go for Spring Fest celebrations such as the Hong Kong Chinese New Year Firework Performance 2018.

Public Holidays

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

Along with the desire to present very fresh flowers, another reason for the scramble of the crowds on New Years Eve is the tradition that stores close on New Year's Day and for a while afterwards.

Legal holidays: The first four days of the Chinese New Year, February 16 to Monday, February 19, are legal holidays in Hong Kong. February 16 through the 19th are Macau public holidays.

The weight of tradition dictates that shops and businesses close and that everyone focus on family matters, reunions, important relationships, and religious matters at the temples and house shrines during the first three days of the Chinese New Year.

Major Market Locations in Hong Kong

Mong Kok (旺角) is crowded in the evening.

The Mongkok Flower Market around Flower Market Road in Mongkok, Kowloon is the biggest permanent flower market with about 100 shops.

Victoria Park on Hong Kong Island is the most popular temporary market. In Kowloon, another popular temporary market is at Fa Hui Park just a short walk from Flower Market Road.

Transport

Victoria Park: 1 Hing Fat Street. Take Exit E from the Causeway Bay Station.
Mongkok Flower Market: Take Exit C from Mongkok East Station.

Extended Hours (February 15 to Early Morning February 16)

Orchids symbolize fertility and abundance.

During Chinese New Year, any flower market or shop will have abundant bouquets, pots and arrangements of Orchids — the variety and colors are limitless.

Orchids are delicate, beautiful and elegant flowers, and in China, they have long been considered to be symbolic of 'many children' or fertility and abundance. Orchids also signify refinement, luxury and innocence. These flowers make for valuable gifts in this season.

Flower shops and stalls will sometimes stay open late and even to early morning hours on New Year's Day, but the shops should be closed when the sun rises. So the shop owners might be frantic about selling their stock of flowers and potted plants before dawn.

Read more on Chinese New Year Celebrations in Hong Kong in 2018 — it is one of the top 10 festivals in the world according to Forbes.

The Macau Flower Rush

Lion Dance

In Macau, the people celebrate their holidays even more fervently than the Hong Kong people. The flower markets are popular places to go for the holidays.

Tap Seac Square: The main traditional Chinese New Year flower market is at Tap Seac Square. It opens in the morning on New Year's Eve, but it is best visited in the afternoon and evening, and it stays open late. It is a popular place to visit during the holidays.

It is Macau's biggest public square, and it is highly decorated and special events are put on each year. There are lion and dragon dances and booths for food, beverages and gifts.

Fisherman's Wharf: There is a casino and resort and theme park located next to the Macau Ferry Terminal. It is only a few minutes walk away from the terminal. The flower market there is smaller.

Read more about the Macau Chinese New Year 2018.

Special Flowers and Plants As Gifts

Tangerine bushes like these are not real. The tangerines are glued or tied on and are treated. They are put on display often in front of businesses and shop windows.

The flower giving traditions are much the same in Hong Kong and Macau. Some flowers and plants hold a special significance when given as gifts on Chinese New Year:

Tangerine trees: fruitful marriages, goodwill, prosperity and good luck.
Peonies: for prosperity.
Peach blossoms: romance and longevity.
Lettuce: wealth generation.
Chrysanthemum: for long life.

In Hong Kong and Macau, kumquat plants are a recommended gift. Kumquats are a small orange citrus fruit. They are like small tangerines.

Kumquats are particularly popular since in Cantonese "kum" means gold. So you are wishing the recipient a financially prosperous year.

Potted shrubs and flowers are ideal for Lucky Chinese New Year Flower and Fruit Gifts during Chinese New Year and are available in all flower markets.

Visiting Hong Kong or Macau for Chinese New Year

Macau Senado Square

Planning trip arrangements: We can book your tickets and facilitate for your hotel rooms and itinerary saving you your valuable time.

We can also provide guides, drivers, and private vehicles for great private tours for individuals and groups.

China Highlights can help you customize a tour to celebrate the Chinese New Year as local Chinese do. Create your own dream trip.

International Hong Kong flight tickets are more difficult to obtain right around these vacation days. We can book your tickets for you.
Things to do and weather forecasts in February for Hong Kong and Macau.

Recommended Hong Kong and Macau Tour Packages

Hong Kong is pleasantly warm in February.

Touring Hong Kong and Macau during Chinese New Year: These standard packages may be modified by you as you like. We can work with you to make it personalized.

Hong Kong and Macau Chinese New Year's Eve 2018 Flower Markets