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?
On any normal year during the Chinese New Year celebrations, Lion and Dragon Dances are performed just about everywhere. Regardless of where you are tripsing around town, chances are, you are able to catch one at some point or another, from businesses and office buildings, shopping centers to restaurants and hotels, even at the markets...
Besides the lively performances, it is quite a treat to browse around town the fantastic Lunar New Year displays as the lanterns, lucky plants, blooms and firecrackers spread all throughout the city.
Lion Dancers at the Chinese New Year Parade
Chances to catch a show are best at the many shopping centers in the city...
Chinese New Year Lion Dance Performance at Pacific Place
Chinese New Year Dragon Parade at Harbour City
At hotels and restaurants...
The Lunar New Year Festivities at Langham Place
At pedestrian malls throughout the city...
Lion Dances and gorgeous decorations at Lee Tung Avenue
At tourist attractions around town, Ngong Ping where the Big Buddha is located, theme parks (if they are open) Disneyland and Ocean Park which normally have 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.
Dragon and Lion Dances Year Of The Rabbit 2023
Here are some popular places that go all out with splashy decorations and where lions and dragons consistently make appearances every year. We will be adding them as events are announced. Stay tuned!
Hop Into Blossoms of Joy at Pacific Place 2023
What? White Rabbit Pop Up Store, White Rabbit Candy Mini Game
When? January 10 to February 5, 2023
Where? Throughout the Mall
Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra Chinese New Year Music Performance
When? January 16, 2023 - noon, 2:00 pm, 4:00 pm
Where? Level L1 (near Shiro)
Eye-dotting Ceremony and Lion Dance Parade
When? January 30, 2023 - 1:00 pm
Where? Level L1 (near Shiro)
How Much? Free
More Info: www.pacificplace.com.hk or follow their FB page.
Blooming Bunny Year @ Harbour City
What? The Year of the Rabbit is arriving soon! This year, Harbour City invites Mayuka Morimoto, the Japanese Embroidery artist, to create 6 embroidery artworks with a rabbit theme and adopts the design to our limited-edition of "Blooming Bunny Year". The installation "New Year Wishing Pond" will also be set on the second-floor entrance of Ocean Terminal and showcase the embroidery artworks of Mayuka Morimoto.
When? January 9 - 27, 2023
Where? Ocean Terminal
How Much? FREE
More Info: www.harbourcity.com.hk or follow their FB page.
Wheel of Good Fortune at the Central Harbourfront
What? Wheel of Good Fortune, Hong Kong's latest outdoor event comes to you this Chinese New Year at the Central Harbourfront! Check out the 12 larger than life Zodiac lanterns and beautiful lighting installations, the festive atmosphere, lots of games, rides and live entertainment.
When? January 14 - February 12, 2023
Where? Hong Kong Observation Wheel and Central Harbourfront
How Much? From HK$77.50
More Info: Hong Kong Observation Wheel and AIA Vitality Park FB Page
Celebrate Chinese New Year 2023 at Festival Walk
What? Feel the power and excitement as the lion dances around the mall to bring good luck and wealth to everyone!
When? January 27, 2023
Where? Level LG2 at Festival Walk Kowloon
How Much? Free
What? "Drums, Flags & Face Change into the New Year" Performance Don't miss the chance to experience the performances of traditional Chinese drums, lucky flags, and face change.
When? Several dates January 14 - 29, 2023 - 2:00 and 4:00 pm
Where? Level LG2
How Much? Free
More Info and full CNY programme: www.festivalwalk.com.hk/en/ or follow their FB page.
"Lanterns Lit Year Of The Rabbit" at Lee Tung Avenue
What? Traditional Chinese red lanterns adding harmony and blessings will grace Hong Kong's largest outdoor pedestrian street while rabbit installations can be found on the lampposts and the Central Piazza, providing abundant festive photo spots.
When? January 13 - April 10, 2023 - Lights from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Where? Central Piazza and along Lee Tung Avenue
How Much? Free
What? Lion Dance Procession: From the first to the fourth day of the Year of the Rabbit, Lee Tung Avenue will be staging spectacular lion dances amidst magnificent sounds of drums and gongs.
When? January 22 - 25, 2023
Where? Along Lee Tung Avenue
How Much? Free
In addition there are many activities planned: Sugar Blowing, Chinese Paper-Cutting, Fai Chun Giveaway, Musicc Performances, Photo ops with Lion Dance Costumes, Greetings from the God of Wealth and more!
More Info: www.leetungavenue.com.hk or follow their FB page.
Garden of Auspicious Delights Chinese New Year at IFC Mall 2023
What? This Spring, ifc mall is ringing in an auspicious Chinese New Year with its "Garden of Auspicious Delights" installation, featuring an elegant profusion of blossoming flowers and dancing butterflies to bring blessings, prosperity and good fortune to everyone.
Immerse yourself in this installation in full bloom, and use the digital initiatives to share your warmest blessings and festive joy with family and friends!
When? Now until February 5, 2023
Where? IFC Mall Oval Atrium, Podium Level 1 - 10:30 am - 9:00 pm daily
How Much? Free
More Info: www.ifc.com.hk or follow their FB page.
Lion Dance performances at IFC Mall
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.
Make the most of Chinese New Year!
Hong Kong Lunar New Year Celebrations 2023!
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