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
- The Peak Tram, Peak Tower, Sky Terrace
- Ocean Park - Get discount tickets
- Water World Ocean Park - Get discount tickets
- Hong Kong Disneyland - Get discount tickets
- Big Bus Hop On Hop Off Bus Tours are running daily
- Sky100 Observation Deck - Special Offers
- Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car - Book Standard or Crystal Cabin
- Harbour Cruises have restarted, the following have resumed sailings:
- 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
- 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 daily, the Mudflat Hide has also reopened
- Sai Kung Standup-Paddle Adventure - 5 hours, meets at Hang Hau 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:
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.
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.
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.
Hong Kong Events By Month
Most Popular Excursions in Hong Kong
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