Lion Dances and Dragon Parades are an essential part of every Chinese New Year celebration, or rather, ANY Chinese Festival for that matter, and in Hong Kong that is no exception.
In fact, the city set a Guinnes World Record in 2011 for the largest Lion and Dragon Dance display which featured 1,111 Dragons and Lions. This gave way to a fantastic yearly event, the Hong Kong Dragon and Lion Dance Festival which takes place every year on New Year's Day January 1st, (NOT Chinese New Year's Day) and is an explosion of colour, glitter and roars with hundreds of troupes parading throughout the streets...
These traditional arts date back for more than a thousand years.
Besides being incredible acrobatic performances, in Chinese Culture it is believed that the Lions and the accompanying revelry of drums, gongs and
firecrackers, will scare away the bad spirits and
bring in the good luck in the coming year, and thus a Lion Dance is a "must" during the Chinese New Year festivities.
Where are the Lion and Dragon Dances during Chinese New Year in Hong Kong?
During the Chinese New Year celebrations, Lion and Dragon Dances will be performed just about everywhere. Regardless of where you are tripsing around town, chances are, you will be able to catch one at some point or another. At the same time, watch for some fantastic Lunar New Year displays as the lanterns, lucky plants, blooms and firecrackers spread all throughout the city.
Starting on New Year's Day, it will be dragon and lion galore at the new Chinese New Year Carnival in West Kowloon.
Lion Dancers at the Chinese New Year Parade
Afterwards, great chances to catch a show will be at the many shopping centers in the city...
Chinese New Year Lion Dance Performance at Pacific Place
At hotels and restaurants...
The Lunar New Year Festivities at Langham Place
At tourist attractions around town, Ngong Ping where the Big Buddha is located, the Observation Wheel, and of course Disneyland and Ocean Park will be having full programmes for the occasion.
Lion Dance performances at Ocean Park
Even if you're just strolling the markets, keep an eye out for those lions! After all, anybody that is in business will want to usher away all the accumulated bad luck, clean house and bring in the good fortune, so the Lion Dancers are sure to be welcomed by all anytime... anywhere!
Chinese New Year Lion Dancers at the Temple Street Night Market
Keep in mind that while most government offices, schools, banks, are closed for the public holidays during Chinese New Year, shops and restaurants remain open, shopping centers even offer extended hours. Attractions and theme parks remain open as usual, street markets close on the first and second day of Chinese New Year and reopen on the third day. There will be plenty of time and opportunity to catch a Lion Dance performance!
For 2020, the window of opportunity to catch that Lion and Dragon dance performance will be from late January through early February.
The Lantern Festival will be on February 8, 2020. It marks the culmination of the Lunar New Year festivities and is also a great chance to see the lions and dragons at the many carnivals that pop around town.
Dragon and Lion Dances Year Of The Rat 2020
Here are some popular places where lions and dragons make an appearance every year.
Year of the Rat Celebrations at the Hong Kong Observation Wheel
What? Chinese Lion Dance Performances and God of Fortune Blessings
When? January 12 - February 1, 2020. Times TBA, last year Lion dancing took place everyday from 2:30pm to 3pm, while God of Fortune was there giving blessings for 30 minutes starting on the clock from 3pm to 6pm.
Where? Hong Kong Observation Wheel
How Much? Free
More Info: Hong Kong Observation Wheel and AIA Vitality Park FB Page
Year of the Rat Celebrations at Ngong Ping Village and the Big Buddha
What? Fabulous Decorations, Chinese Dragon and Lion Dance Performances, Bodhi Trees, Blessing Drums, special CNY dishes at the restaurants in Ngong Ping Village and extended opening hours at Ngong Ping Cable Car.
When? January 25 - 31, 2020
Lion Dances schedule is TBA, but likely to be at 12:30pm and 3:30pm as in prior years. Each session lasts approx. 10 minutes
Where? Ngong Ping Village Square. Here's how to get there with the Cable Car and getting discount tickets.
How Much? Free
More Info: www.np360.com.hk
Chinese New Year at The Peak
What? Chinese New Year Photo Zones: A circle walk surrounded by traditional ink paintings with a series of celebrative messages to bring best wishes and good luck.
When? January 3 - 31, 2020
Where? Level M, The Peak Tower
How Much? Free
More Info: www.thepeak.com.hk.
"A Voyage into Prosperous Splendour" at Pacific Place
What? Festive Decorations including the towering lantern installation with eighty-eight hanging lanterns, offering a kaleidoscope of colours
When? January 10 - February 16, 2020
Where? Throughout the Mall
What? Eye Dotting Ceremony and Lion Dance Parade: Celebrate the new year with an unmissable lion dance parade! The eye-dotting ceremony will be followed by a lion dance parade around the mall to bring even more good luck and wishes to you and your family. With the steady beat of the invigorating drums and clashing symbols, visitors at the mall are set for a brand new beginning.
When? January 31, 2020 - 1:00 pm
Where? Garden Court (Level LG1)
What? Dance Performances: Enjoy festive performances both old and new in celebration of the new year. "Heel Off The Line Dance", a dynamic modern local dance group, has exclusively choreographed a dazzling sequence for Pacific Place to welcome the new year with joy.
When? Select dates from January 15 - February 7, 2020
Where? Level L1 (near PURE Yoga)
How Much? Free
More Info: www.pacificplace.com.hk or follow their FB page.
"Celebrate Togetherness" Chinese New Year at IFC Mall 2020
What?Take a stroll through ifc mall’s The Courtyard of Harmony during Chinese New Year to celebrate unity and togetherness.
The cuju-themed set-up features lanterns, flying birds and fresh florals for guests to celebrate Chinese New Year with family and loved ones in the spirit of unity and festive blessings.
When? TBA
Where? IFC Mall Oval Atrium, Podium Level 1 - 10:30am - 10pm daily
What? Lion Dance
When? TBA
Where? IFC Mall Oval Atrium, Podium Level 1
How Much? Free
More Info: www.ifc.com.hk or follow their FB page.
Chinese New Year at Lee Gardens
What? Sanrio characters Spring Market at Hysan Place:
Meet Hello Kitty, My Melody, the Little Twin Stars, Cinnamoroll, Pompompurin and Kerokerokeroppi
in their pretty Chinese costumes and savour Chinese New Year delights
When? January 10 - 24, 2020
Where? Hysan Place's 1/F Atrium
How Much? Free
More Info: Follow their FB page.
Celebrate Chinese New Year 2020 at Times Square - TBA
What? TBA
When? TBA
Where? Open Piazza, Times Square
How Much? Free
More Info: www.timessquare.com.hk or follow their FB page.
Chinese New Year at Lee Tung Avenue
What? Hong Kong's largest outdoor New Year walkway featuring 668 large red and gold lanterns, which symbolise the wish for a bright and joyful future and 238 gold coins, representing fortune and prosperity.
When? TBA
Where? Central Piazza and along Lee Tung Avenue
How Much? Free
What? Lion Dance Spectacular on the Lantern Festival, Lee Tung Avenue will host a fantastic lion dance performance. Audience can receive lucky gold coins from the God of Fortune.
When? TBA
Where? Central Piazza and along Lee Tung Avenue
How Much? Free
More Info: www.leetungavenue.com.hk or follow their FB page.
Chinese New Year @ Habour City
What? TBA
When? TBA
Where? Ocean Terminal Forecourt
How Much? FREE.
More Info: www.harbourcity.com.hk or follow their FB page.
Celebrate Chinese New Year 2020 at Festival Walk - Cancelled
What? Drumming Acrobatic Dragon Performance: A high-energy Drumming Acrobatic Dragon Performances by afamous Hong Kong Kung Fu & Dragon Lion Dance Team!
When? Mall is temporarily closed
Where? Level LG2 at Festival Walk Kowloon
What? Lion Dances: Feel the power and excitement as the lion dances around the mall to bring good luck and wealth to everyone!
When? Mall is temporarily closed
Where? Level LG2 at Festival Walk Kowloon
What? CNY Fun on Ice: Figure Skating performances, New Year Blessings from the God of Wealth
When? Mall is temporarily closed
Where? Festival Walk Glacier at Festival Walk Kowloon
How Much? Free
More Info and full CNY programme: www.festivalwalk.com.hk/en/ or follow their FB page.
Lion Dances... Dragon Dances... what's the difference?
The Lion Dance is performed by a pair of dancers, one handles the head of the lion and the other half handles the tail.
The Dragon Dance is a team effort involving a dozen or more dancers. The long Dragon is held on poles carried by each dancer, they raise the poles up and down creating the Dragon's movements as they snake around the streets.
You can learn more about the Lion Dance and Dragon Dance at our sister site, China Family Adventure.
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