January 2021 Hong Kong Festivals and Events

We normally kick off the year with an array of fantastic and colorful events, with the Lion and Dragon Dance Festival and Extravaganza welcoming the new year on January 1st. But these are anything but normal times and our usual repertoire of fantastic events is thinning out. As Covid-19 continues to present many challenges, the status of the various scheduled events may change at the last minute, some may be held in slightly different formats and of course adhering to any measures in effect at the time.

The Winterfest and Christmas celebrations will be wrapping up the first week of the month and after a subdued holiday season, preparations for the most revered event in the calendar, Chinese New Year will be getting underway in anticipation of the big day on February 12, 2021. Celebrations this year, however, are likely to be limited in scale.

Luckily January is a great month for enjoying the outdoors, for nature lovers, this is the time to visit our fantastic reserves and trails. Weather is pleasant and migrating birds are here in spades.

Hong Kong Highlight Events

• New Year's Day Race Meeting (Horse Racing) - January 1st, 2021

Ongoing Events This January 2021

• 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!

Recurring January Events Cancelled/Suspended in 2021:

• International Dragon and Lion Dance Festival on January 1st
• The Great European Carnival
• The 2021 Hong Kong Marathon scheduled for January 24, 2021 has been POSTPONED to October 24, 2021

Activities, Tours, Attractions that are OPEN

Tours, attractions and activities that can be conducted safely while adhering to proper social distancing guidelines have reopened as have most outdoor activities.

It's time to get out! Here's a list of fun outdoor things to do that have restarted operations and can be booked now. When possible book tickets online and/or make a reservation as many of the activities are running on limited capacities.

• The Peak Tram, Peak Tower, Sky Terrace and Peak Galleria are OPEN
• The Hong Kong Observation Wheel - is OPEN
• Ocean Park - is OPEN, purchase tickets online, you also must make a reservation for the day of your visit
• Hong Kong Disneyland - is OPEN, purchase tickets online, you also must make a reservation for the day of your visit
• Sky100 Observation Deck - is OPEN
• Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car - is OPEN, purchase tickets online
• Harbour Cruises have restarted, the following have resumed sailings:
  • Aqua Luna evening cruises
• Fantastic outdoor excursions: hiking, kayaking, swimming, mountain biking, paddleboarding...
  • Lion Rock Sunset Hiking Adventure - Victoria Harbour's most dramatic summit - 4 hours, starts from Wong Tai Sin MTR station
  • Victoria Peak Private Evening Hike - 2 hours, meets at Central MTR Station, Victoria Peak Tram tickets for return optional
  • Geopark Kayaking Adventure - 7 hours, meets at Hang Hau MTR Station
  • The Mai Po Nature Reserve is OPEN, the WWF offers eco-visits Thrusdays through Sundays, which is the easiest way to visit the reserve without having to get a government permit. You can book an eco-visit here
  • Hong Kong Wetland park - is OPEN, the Mudflat Hide has also reopened
  • Sai Kung Standup-Paddle Adventure - 5 hours, meets at Hang Hau MTR station
  • Hike the legendary Ngong Ping 360 Rescue Trail to the Big Buddha - 4 hours, starts at Tung Chung MTR station
  • Hike the Yellow Dragon Gorge Nature Trek in Lantau Island - 5 hours, meets at Tung Chung MTR station on Lantau Island
  • Plover Cove Bicycling and Hiking Adventure - 4 hours, meets at Tai Po Market MTR station
  • Tai Mo Shan Waterfall Hike the tallest waterfall in Hong Kong - 4 hours, meets at Tai Wo MTR station
  • The Dragon's Back Hike and Tai Long Wan Beach - 5 hours, meets at Shau Kei Wan MTR station
  • Ma On Shan Climbing Adventure - 6 hours, starts at Heng On MTR ends in Saikung town
  • Tolo Harbour Cycling Adventure - 4 hours, meets at Tai Po Market MTR Station

Hong Kong Highlight Events January 2021

New Year's Day Race Meeting - January 1st, 2021

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, 2021 - 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)

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:

Tai Chi Classes

Lion Dance Demos

Feng Shui Classes

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

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.

At this time, due to the ongoing Covid-19 measures, THE RACES ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC with special arrangements that have been made for race meetings at both Happy Valley and Sha Tin. RESERVATIONS must be made in advance by booking at any one of the course venues and following the prescribed measures. The measures might vary depending on restrictions and curfews in effect at a particular race day. Here are the latest arrangements.

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. The "All inclusive VIP tour" provides transportation to/from your hotel, dinner and drinks and access to the Member's Boxes.

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