Wednesday, January 29, 2025 marks the beginning of the Chinese New Year and the Year of the Wood Snake. Why not experience this unique time in the heart of Hong Kong, nicknamed “The Pearl of the Orient”?
With its impressive skyscrapers and vibrant atmosphere, the city transforms into a magical wonderland of light and sound during this festive season. Here's a guide to 10 must-do activities to celebrate this magical moment in this iconic metropolis.
An overview of traditions and festivities
1. Stroll through the dazzlingly decorated streets
Hong Kong lights up for Chinese New Year with decorations that blend tradition and modernity. Pottinger Street (Central), Fuk Wing Street (Sham Shui Po) and Sai Yeung Choi Street (Mong Kok) are must-visit spots for glowing lanterns, fai chun (lucky calligraphy), and contemporary LED ornaments. The red bags sold in these neighborhoods, sometimes personalized with family names or unique designs, make perfect souvenirs symbolizing good luck.
2. Enjoy lucky foods
Dive into the traditional flavors of the holiday by exploring the historic bakeries and markets of Kowloon City ou Sham shui poTry siu hau zou (sesame balls) for happiness, yau gok (fried peanut turnovers) for prosperity, or chuen hap, a platter of sweets symbolizing family unity.
3. Explore the Lunar New Year fairs
Victoria Parks et Fa Hui transform into flower markets where cherry trees, kumquats, and orchids evoke wishes for renewal and prosperity. These fairs, open from January 23 to 29, offer a total immersion in the festive energy of Hong Kong.
Events to not miss
4. Admire the great night parade
On January 29, the night parade transforms Tsim Sha Tsui into a spectacular carnival. Glittering floats, artistic performances and music punctuate this unmissable event.
5. Fireworks and horse racing
On January 30, Victoria Harbour will light up with the Lunar New Year Fireworks Display. On January 31, head to Sha Tin Racecourse to experience the thrill of racing in a festive atmosphere promising good luck and prosperity.
6. 3D projections in Tai Kwun
Explore InnerGlow 2025, a 3D projection show illuminating the historic site of Tai KwunFrom January 26 to February 14, the walls of Parade Ground and Prison Yard come alive, offering an evocative visual journey of Chinese culture.
Family and culinary moments
7. Magical moments in theme parks Share unique moments at Ocean park ou hong kong disneylandStarting on January 17, the parks are decorated with festive decorations and organize events, such as the parade at Disneyland featuring the God of Fortune.
8. Exceptional gastronomic experiences
- At Jǐng Restaurant, experience a culinary immersion inspired by the "Manchu-Han Imperial Feast." Each dish is a work of art served in a setting evocative of the Qing Dynasty.
- Au Spring Moon (Peninsula Hong Kong) or at Man Ho Chinese Restaurant, taste specialties like lo hei, revisiting ancestral traditions with a contemporary touch.
9. Discover unique cocktails Toast the New Year at innovative bars like kinsman, where cocktails made with Cantonese spirits, such as the “Snaky Panky,” reinterpret traditional flavors.
Year of the Wood Snake 2025: An Astrological and Cultural Journey
In Chinese astrology, the Snake symbolizes wisdom, transformation, and elegance. In 2025, this animal is associated with the Wood element, representing growth, creativity, and flexibility. This unique combination heralds a year conducive to introspection, strategic planning, and personal development. A favorable time to undertake significant changes and adopt a thoughtful approach to achieving lasting success.
The Chinese New Year, known as the Spring Festival, is the most important celebration in China and many Asian communities around the world. In 2025, these festivities will begin on Wednesday, January 29 and last for two weeks, culminating in the Lantern Festival on Wednesday, February 12. This period, rich in traditions, symbols, and family reunions, is an opportunity to strengthen social and cultural ties.
Emblematic traditions of the Chinese New Year
1. Preparations before the New Year The days leading up to the New Year are dedicated to purifying the space and welcoming prosperity:
- Great cleaning : Houses are cleaned from top to bottom to drive out the bad luck accumulated during the year.
- Red decorations : Symbol of happiness and luck, red invades homes and streets. Key elements include:
- Spring Verses : Calligraphed poems on red paper.
- Red Lanterns : Hanging on doors and in public places.
- Lucky characters : Like "福" (fu), meaning "happiness", often displayed upside down to symbolize the arrival of happiness.
2. New Year's Eve The family dinner is the highlight of the festivities, a time of sharing and veneration of traditions:
- Traditional dishes :
- Dumplings (jiǎozi) : Representing wealth, with their shape reminiscent of gold bars.
- Whole fish : Symbol of abundance and prosperity.
- Sticky rice cakes (niángāo) : Meaning elevation and progress.
- Offerings to the ancestors : Prayers and offerings are made to honor the ancestors and ask for blessings from them.
3. Red envelopes (Hongbao) Adults offer Hongbao, small red envelopes containing money, to children, young people and sometimes employees or colleagues. This gesture, synonymous with prosperity, is a way of conveying wishes for good luck.
4. Traditional dances
- Lion Dance : Designed to ward off evil spirits and attract good luck.
- Dragon Dance : Symbolizing power, wisdom and fertility, often accompanied by pounding drums and firecrackers.
5. Firecrackers and fireworks Firecrackers light up the night, driving away evil spirits and ushering in the New Year in a festive and colorful atmosphere.
6. Visits and exchange of greetings Families and friends visit each other to exchange greetings, called Bai Nian (Sunflower), using traditional expressions like:
- “Xīn Nián Kuài Lè (新年快乐)” : Good year.
- “Gōng Xǐ Fā Cái (恭喜發財)” : Prosperity and wealth.
7. The Lantern Festival The highlight of the celebrations, this festival illuminates the 15th night with sparkling lanterns. Families participate in processions and enjoy tangyuan, sticky rice balls symbolizing reunion and harmony.
Each Chinese New Year tradition carries a message of luck, prosperity, or family unity. The predominance of red, the lucky color, and the many lucky symbols serve as a reminder of the importance of warding off evil spirits to usher in a prosperous year.
Chinese New Year 2025 offers a unique opportunity to celebrate culture and human connection. It is a time of personal transformation and reunion, where festivals transcend borders to unite communities around their deep and timeless values.
The Year of the Wood Snake embodies transformation and wisdom. It's an ideal time to plan carefully and embrace change. The Chinese New Year, rich in symbolism, offers a unique experience to explore Hong Kong's traditions and culture. Don't miss this opportunity to experience unforgettable moments in one of the world's most fascinating cities.
Ema Lynnx
