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 annual Chinese New Year Parade, one of your first chances to catch them.
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, this year on February 7, 2019. There will be plenty of time and opportunity to catch a Lion Dance performance!
For 2019, the window of opportunity to catch that Lion and Dragon dance performance will be from early February through the end of the month.
The Lantern Festival will be on February 19, 2019 . 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 Pig 2019
Here are some popular places where lions and dragons make an appearance every year. They are likely to reappear for the Year of the Pig celebrations in 2019. Will be posting latest info as it becomes available.
Year of the Pig Celebrations at the Hong Kong Observation Wheel
What? Chinese Lion Dance Performances and God of Fortune Blessings
When? January 31 - February 19, 2019. 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 Pig Celebrations at Ngong Ping Village and the Big Buddha
What? Fabulous Decorations, Chinese Dragon and Lion Dance Performances, Bodhi Trees, Blessing Drums, and special CNY dishes at the restaurants in Ngong Ping Village
When? January 22 - February 24, 2019
Lion Dances from February 5 - 12, 2019 (except February 8) at 12:30pm and 3:30pm. 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
Celebrate Chinese New Year 2019 at Festival Walk
What? Drumming Acrobatic Dragon Performance: A high-energy Drumming Acrobatic Dragon Performances by afamous Hong Kong Kung Fu & Dragon Lion Dance Team!
When? January 19, 20, 26, 27, February 2, 3, 2019 at 3:00 pm and 4:30 pm
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? February 11, 2019 at 11:00 am
Where? Level LG2 at Festival Walk Kowloon
What? CNY Fun on Ice: Figure Skating performances, New Year Blessings from the God of Wealth
When? February 5 - 7, 2019, Figure Skating at 3:15pm
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.
Year of the Pig at Pacific Place
What? Lion Dance Performance and Parade
When? February 12, 2019 at 1:00 pm
Where? Garden Court, Level LG1. Parade throughout the Mall
What? Festive Music Performances
When? Several performances January 23 - February 17, 2019
Where? Garden Court, Level LG1.
How Much? Free
More Info: www.pacificplace.com.hk or follow their FB page.
HapPIG New Year @ Habour City 2019
What? Harbour City will welcome the Year of the Pig with the "HAPPIG New Year" celebration, featuring a seven-metre tall gigantic "Wishing Treasure Bowl" structured with multiple frames, on which colourful ropes were tied delicately to create geometrical festive patterns from cherry blossoms to gold coins. The contemporary design is a stylish take on the Chinese New Year classic, wishing everyone joy and fortune for the Year of the Pig.
When? January 25 - February 19, 2019
Where? Ocean Terminal Forecourt
How Much? FREE. Interactive games donation HK20
What? HAPPIG Dancing New Year Life-size piglets dressed in smart lion-dancing costumes take centre stage to share holiday blessings with everyone.
When? January 25 - February 19, 2019 at 12:00 noon - 10:00 pm
Where? Ocean Terminal Atrium on the Ground Floor
How Much? FREE. Interactive games HK$10 donation to Hong Kong Blood Cancer Foundation or same-day purchase of HK$200+ at any one outlet in Ground Floor, Ocean Terminal.
More Info: www.harbourcity.com.hk or follow their FB page.
Chinese New Year at IFC Mall 2019
What? The Garden of Fortune: A splendid installation featuring pinwheels to welcome good fortune and embrace new changes along with incorporating floral elements for a contemporary spin. Shoppers can visit the interactive display and enjoy music performances to ring into an auspicious new year.
When? January 26 - February 17, 2019
Where? IFC Mall Oval Atrium, Podium Level 1 - 10:30am - 10pm daily
What? Chinese Music Trio
When? February 4 - 12, 2019 - 1:00 pm - 1:30 pm and 6:30 pm to 7:00 pm
Where? IFC Mall Oval Atrium, Podium Level 1
What? Lion Dance
When? February 8, 2019 - 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm
Where? IFC Mall Oval Atrium, Podium Level 1
How Much? Free
More Info: www.ifc.com.hk or follow their FB page.
Celebrate Chinese New Year 2019 at Times Square
What? "Lunar Fantasy with Ancient Auspicious Animals" where three-dimensional images of ancient auspicious animals hang on a yellow background wall.
When? January 17 - February 24, 2019
Where? Open Piazza, Times Square
How Much? Free
More Info: www.timessquare.com.hk or follow their FB page.
Prosperous and Auspicious Year of the Pig 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. In the Central Piazza a large piggy "Prosperous and Auspicious Year of The Pig" offers auspicious greetings and blessings for a wealthy and fruitful year ahead.
When? January 29 - February 28, 2019 - 10:00 am to 10:00 pm
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 and auspicious piggies from the God of Fortune.
When? February 19, 2019 - 11:00 am to 1:00 pm
Where? Central Piazza and along Lee Tung Avenue
How Much? Free
More Info: www.leetungavenue.com.hk 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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