January 2018 Hong Kong Festivals and Events

Dragon and Lion Dance Extravaganza, Volvo Ocean Race, Hong Kong Marathon
New Years Day Dragon and Lion Extravaganza

We kick off 2018 with an array of fantastic and colorful events, with the Lion and Dragon Dance Festival and Extravaganza welcoming the new year on January 1st and following that, the Volvo Ocean Race will be making a stop for the very first time in Hong Kong, unraveling two weeks of world-class sailing events and festivals.

The Winterfest and Christmas celebrations will be wrapping up the first week of the month and after the frenzy of the holiday season, the tempo does not let up as the preparations for the most revered event in the calendar, Chinese New Year, will be getting underway in anticipation of the big day on February 16, 2018.

With pleasant cooler temperatures, days can be cloudy but dry, a light jacket will definitely come in handy but leave your heavy stuff at home.

I know these months are packed with exciting events, but do make some time to head outdoors and enjoy nature! For nature lovers, this is the time to enjoy our fantastic reserves and trails. Weather is pleasant and migrating birds are here in spades.

Get Outdoors!

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So let's get started. Here's this month's fantastic line-up:

Hong Kong Highlight Events

Ongoing Events This January 2018

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Hong Kong Highlight Events January 2018

Dragon and Lion Dance Extravaganza

Hong Kong Dragon Lion Dance Extravaganza

Hundreds of colorful dragons, lions, happy Buddhas, acrobats, celestial guardians... running and parading through the streets of Hong Kong in one of the most colorful, thrilling and noisy events to welcome the new year. Truly a feast for the eyes!

Dragon Parades and Lion Dances are nothing new to the territory, however, this event really takes it to another level!

Themes vary from year to year, but are always accompanied by the usual troupes of acrobats and over 500 mascots and lucky animals.

Dragon and Lion Dance Extravaganza: Performances and Parade

When?: January 1, 2018 - Activities throughout the day 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where?: Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza B and C
How Much?: Free!

New Year's Day Race Meeting - January 1st, 2018

Hong Kong Horse Races in Sha Tin

This is one of eight "Magnificent Race Days" being waged in the Sha Tin Race Course during the racing calendar.

This New Year's Day Race is full of excitement with the Chinese Club Challenge Cup a HK G3 race, being the highlight of the event.

Good luck on this very first day of the year!

When?:January 1st, 2018 - Noon - 6pm (Gates open at 11am)
Where?: Sha Tin Race Course
How Much?: General Admission at Public Enclosure HK10 or Members' Enclosure with Tourist Badge HK130 (must bring passport)

Imagine Dragons Evolve World Tour - January 13, 2018

Imagine Dragons

The american rockers will perform live in Hong Kong as part of their Evolve World Tour on Saturday January 13, 2018.

The band gained popularity with the release of their debut album, Night Visions, in 2012 which spawned the smash hits, 'Radioactive', 'It's Time' and 'Demons'. The record was followed up by Smoke + Mirrors, their sophomore studio album, in 2015.

This time, Imagine Dragons will be performing in Hong Kong in support of their latest album, Evolve.

When?: Saturday, January 13, 2018 - 8:00 pm
Where?: AsiaWorld Expo Arena Hall 1
How Much?: HK$460+

The Volvo Ocean Race and Festival

Hong Kong Volvo Ocean Race

The Volvo Ocean Race is a world-class premier global yacht race and one of the most demanding team sporting events in the world.

Held every three years, the race around the world and accross four oceans, touches six continents and twelve host cities, of which, Hong Kong will be one for the very first time in the event's history.

Besides the ocean legs, there will be in-port sailing races in Hong Kong including a Round the Hong Kong Island Race.

Throughout the fifteen days while the Volvo Ocean Race visits Hong Kong, Kai Tak Runway Park will be transformed into an entertainment hub with sailing races, live music, performers, interactive games, food, bars, lion dancers, free give-aways and more!

When?: January 17 - 31, 2018. Boats are expected to arrive on January 20, 2018
Where?: Kai Tak Runway Park
How Much?: FREE

Cats The Musical On Tour

Cats The Musical in Hong Kong

CATS, one of the greatest musicals of all time, returns to Hong Kong. Featuring a fantastical set, Andrew Lloyd Webber's magnificent score that includes the poignant hit song "Memory", dazzling choreography and stunning costumes, CATS is a brilliant song and dance spectacular.

When?: January 6 - February 4, 2018
Where?: The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, Lyric Theatre
How Much?: HK$ 445 + Likely to sell out

Magical Year After Year Chinese New Year Celebration at Disneyland Hong Kong

Mickey and Minnie wearing their best reds at Chinese New Year

During Chinese New Year, Disneyland Hong Kong transforms once again after the rush of the Christmas season. This time instead of fluffy snow and holiday wreaths, it is lanterns, red envelopes, mandarin oranges, chinese lions, drums and gongs...

And in typical Disney fashion, our favourite characters will be there dressed in full Chinese traditional gear to celebrate and wish you Gung Hay Fat Choy!

Special event this year celebrating the Year of the Dragon is a one-of-a-kind concert with world-renown pianist Lang Lang on January 27, 2024 on stage at the Castle of Magical Dreams.

When? January 25 to February 25, 2024
Where? Hong Kong Disneyland
How Much? CNY events are free with entrance ticket

Remember you can buy discount tickets online at Klook.com:
HK Disneyland Discount Tickets Adult HK639 HKD584, Children HK475 HKD428
More Info and Booking at Klook.com

Dining Offers at Hong Kong Disneyland

Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon

Hong Kong Marathon

This is a signature international sporting event in Hong Kong attracting some 70,000 participants and a total prize money for the Marathon of US$ 300,000.

The 42-kilometer Marathon Route starts in Nathan Road in Tsim Sha Tsui and ends in Victoria Park in Hong Kong Island.

There is also a Half-Marathon, a 10km Race, a Half-Marathon Wheelchair Race and a 3km Wheelchair Race as well as just for fun non-competitive family runs.

When?: January 21st, 2018 - Events held throughout the day.
Where?: Watch along Race Route on both sides of the harbour
How Much?: FREE for spectators

Disney On Ice 100 Years Of Magic

Disney on Ice in Hong Kong

With over 50 of our beloved Disney friends, this show is a smash hit for the family.

Stories and melodies represented in the show have changed from time to time depending on the newest films, i.e. Finding Nemo is adapted into Finding Dory.

Regardless, the show melds the old classics together with the newer films and the result is a fantastic array of stunning ice choreography, special effects, and of course Disney's signature colorful costumes.

When?: January 25 - 28, 2018
Where?: Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center 5BC
How Much?: HK$600+

The A1A Carnival in the Waterfront

Great European Carnival Rides at Night

The giant, amazing outdoor event in one of Hong Kong's most iconic settings with sweeping views of Victoria Harbour is set to return after four years!

What's coming? Two months of thrilling rides for all, carnival games, live entertainment including local and international music artists and comedy performers, and of course, festival food from around the world!

The 2023 - 2024 Carnival will feature many highlights as in years past. The World Circus is back with new exciting performances from all over the world. Performance art, interactive sporting events, live music, and local community acts all have a home at the AIA Carnival.

When?: December 21, 2023 - February 25, 2024
Where?: Central Waterfront Event Space, at the Central Waterfront next to the Observation Wheel
How Much?: General Admission from HK$140 for adults on Off-Peak Days to HK$160 for Peak Days, Children Off-Peak HK$95 Peak HK$110, add-on tokens HK$180+

Ongoing Hong Kong Events

These are some popular ongoing events that are worth checking out, specially since they are FREE or offered for a low fee!

These events feature some of the great and ancient traditions of the territory and are offered by experts in their corresponding fields:

The Symphony of Lights

HK Symphony of Lights

The Symphony of Lights is Hong Kong's light and sound show, a tribute to the city and its people, their diversity, energy and vitality.

The stage is the entire city, which is what makes it so unique, you can watch the lights from just about anywhere in the waterfront. This free show offered by the city, takes place every night at 8:00 pm and lasts about 12 minutes.

When?: Every Night
Where?: Can be seen from both sides of Victoria Harbour, specially stunning aboard a Harbour Cruise.
How Much? Free

The Horse Races Are On! This is how you can attend

Happy Valley Horse Races

The horse races in Hong Kong whether or not you are a horse racing enthusiast is an experience not to be missed!

The beautiful horses, the skillful jockeys, the crowds going wild, they all add up to an exciting, fun-filled, thrilling atmosphere in two world-class venues, at the Sha Tin Racecourse and the iconic Happy Valley Racecourse.

The Happy Valley race course itself is a sight in itself, the city has built around it through the years and it is now practically surrounded by skyscrapers, an awesome experience specially at night when the city is illuminated.

When?: Happy Valley Night Races on Wednesday Nights. On race day, first race starts at 7:15 p.m. and the gates open at 5:15 p.m. The races are done by 11:00 p.m.
Sha Tin Day Races are on Sundays. First race normally starts at 1:00 pm, earlier if there are more than 10 races. Gates open at 11:00 am.
All races will be streamed live at the HK Jockey Club Racing Channel.
How Much? There are many ways to experience the races, from General Stand to Private Boxes and special packages including dinner and drinks. General Stand entrance starts at HK10. You can join this guided experience and learn all about horse racing and betting, Enjoy the HKJC horse races from the 2M roof deck.

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