We kick off 2019 with an array of fantastic and colorful events, with the Lion and Dragon Dance Festival and Extravaganza welcoming the new year on January 1st.
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 5, 2019.
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!
Book with confidence! Free cancellation: Cancel up to 24 hours in advance to receive a full refund
So let's get started. Here's this month's fantastic line-up:
Hong Kong Highlight Events
- International Dragon and Lion Dance Festival - January 1st, 2019
- New Year's Day Race Meeting (Horse Racing) - January 1st, 2019
- The Great European Carnival - December 14 - February 17, 2019
- Mamma Mia - The Smash Hit Musical Based on the Songs of ABBA - January 16 - 27, 2019
- Disney On Ice Mickey's Super Celebration - January 24 - 27, 2019
- Ocean Park Lucky Lunar Fiesta - Jan 26 - Feb 17, 2019
- Chinese New Year at Disneyland Hong Kong - Jan 17 - Feb 24, 2019
- Lunar New Year Lantern Displays - January 25 - February 24, 2019
Ongoing Events This January 2019
- Free cultural exhibitions: Kung Fu, Tai Chi, Feng Shui
- The Symphony of Lights, Hong Kong's light and sound show
- It's race time! The Horse Races at Happy Valley are on!
Hong Kong Highlight Events January 2019
Dragon and 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, 2019 - Activities throughout the day 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where?: Hong Kong Cultural Centre and streets of Tsim Sha Tsui
How Much?: Free!
New Year's Day Race Meeting - January 1st, 2019
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, 2019 - 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 HK190 (must bring passport)
The A1A Carnival in the Waterfront
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$180+
Mamma Mia - The Smash Hit Musical Based on the Songs of ABBA
Over 60 million people worldwide have fallen in love with the characters, the story and the music that make Mamma Mia! the ultimate feel-good show!
ABBA's hits tell the hilarious story of a young woman's search for her birth father. This sunny and funny tale unfolds on a Greek island paradise. On the eve of her wedding, a daughter's quest to discover the identity of her father brings three men from her mother's past back to the island they last visited 20 years ago...
When?: January 16 - 27, 2019
Where?: The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, Lyric Theatre
How Much?: HK$ 650 + Likely to sell out
Disney On Ice Mickey's Super Celebration
This production commemorates 90 years of Mickey Mouse and honors Walt Disney's legacy by bringing acclaimed stories to life on the ice.
Mickey is joined by Minnie, Donald Duck and Goofy on a journey to discover his favorite memory of all time. Along the way you sail with Moana and swish through the icy world of Arandelle... Princess galore, sorcerers, and endless magic overload...
When?: January 16 - 27, 2019
Where?: Hong Kong Convention, and Exhibition Centre - Hall 5BC
How Much?: HK$ + Likely to sell out
Ocean Park Lucky Lunar Fiesta
Every year, the park goes all out to celebrate the Lunar New Year with traditional events throughout: Leaping lions at the Waterfront, dazzling dragon dances at the Summit, incredible board-busting Kung Fu shows, lucky red packets at the God of Fortune Palace, roaring dances at the Waterfront Plaza while Old Hong Kong plays host to Golden Lions dancing on the streets and Kung Fu troupes galore.
Giant drums and spectacular acrobatics and lots of memorable photo opportunities.
For the little ones, lucky pinwheel workshops at Whiskers Harbour and all restaurants of course, will be featuring seasonal specials.
When? Jan 26 - Feb 17, 2019
Where? Ocean Park Hong Kong
How Much? CNY events are free with entrance ticket.
Remember you can buy discount tickets online at Klook.com:
Ocean Park Discount Tickets Standard HK438 HK$388
More Info and Booking at Klook.com
Offers for Water World Ocean Park HK Ticket
Magical Year After Year Chinese New Year Celebration at Disneyland Hong Kong
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
Lunar New Year Lantern Exhibition
The Government of Hong Kong's Leisure and Cultural Services Department sponsors a series of events to foster Chinese ethnic culture to residents and tourists alike.
As part of the Lunar New Year festivities, the department sets up an amazing annual Lantern Exhibition in the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront in the lead up to the Lantern Carnival which mark the end of the Lunar New Year celebrations.
When? January 24 - February 25, 2019. Displays are lit 6:00pm to 11pm from Thursday to Sunday.
Where? Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza by the Water Pools in front of the Clocktower, Tsim Sha Tsui.
How Much? Free
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
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
- More on Hong Kong's Symphony of Lights, best spots to watch.
- Symphony of Lights Harbour Cruise with Aqualuna (NOW SAILING! Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays)
The Horse Races Are On! This is how you can attend
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.
Hong Kong Events By Month
Most Popular Excursions in Hong Kong
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