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How people in Hong Kong SAR celebrate Chinese New Year

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The annual Chinese New Year parade takes place in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong SAR, China, January 29, 2025. /VCG
The annual Chinese New Year parade takes place in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong SAR, China, January 29, 2025. /VCG

The annual Chinese New Year parade takes place in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong SAR, China, January 29, 2025. /VCG

Streets packed with families, the smell of fried dumplings in the air and skies lit by fireworks – Chinese New Year celebrations are in full swing in China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). From lively parades to bustling flower markets, the city's festive spirit mirrors customs found across China, especially in southern China's Guangdong Province, blending its unique energy with traditions familiar to millions.

Parades, fireworks, and horse races

On Wednesday, the first day of the Chinese New Year, crowds gathered along the streets of Tsim Sha Tsui for the annual Chinese New Year parade. Floats featuring pandas and lanterns rolled by, accompanied by dancers in lion and dragon costumes leaping to the rhythm of drums. Children waved glowing toys, and families cheered as performers tossed candies into the crowd, a tradition believed to bring sweetness and good fortune in the year ahead.

At the parade's kick-off ceremony, John Lee, chief executive of HKSAR, emphasized that the event showcases Hong Kong's boundless vitality to the world.

A float featuring pandas and peach blossoms passes by during Hong Kong's annual Chinese New Year parade, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong SAR, China, January 29, 2025. /VCG
A float featuring pandas and peach blossoms passes by during Hong Kong's annual Chinese New Year parade, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong SAR, China, January 29, 2025. /VCG

A float featuring pandas and peach blossoms passes by during Hong Kong's annual Chinese New Year parade, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong SAR, China, January 29, 2025. /VCG

By Thursday evening, thousands will gather along Victoria Harbour for a dazzling fireworks display. A local resident shared with CMG that watching the fireworks has become an annual family ritual, a cherished moment of togetherness.

The festivities continue on the third day of the Spring Festival at the Sha Tin Racecourse, where horse races draw enthusiastic crowds. Between races, traditional lion dances will entertain attendees, while stalls offer festive snacks like "nian'gao" (rice cake), a popular treat during the Spring Festival in Hong Kong and nearby cities such as Guangzhou.

Adding to the festive ambiance, the iconic Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza has been transformed into a mesmerizing spectacle. As night falls, intricately designed lanterns illuminate the sky, creating a magical atmosphere. The lanterns will be lit daily from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. through February 16.

A highlight of the display is a six-meter ornate palace lantern, adorned with peonies and magpies, surrounded by colorful sky lanterns, carp fish and lotus flower lanterns. Another standout exhibit, titled "Glittering Fish・Lanterns with Abundant Blessings," draws inspiration from traditional Chinese New Year paintings and papercrafts, adding a touch of cultural richness to the celebrations.

People buy flowers at Victoria Park's Chinese New Year Fair, Hong Kong SAR, China, January 23, 2025. /VCG
People buy flowers at Victoria Park's Chinese New Year Fair, Hong Kong SAR, China, January 23, 2025. /VCG

People buy flowers at Victoria Park's Chinese New Year Fair, Hong Kong SAR, China, January 23, 2025. /VCG

Flower markets and festive foods

At Victoria Park's Chinese New Year Fair, vendors sell peach blossoms, kumquat trees, and vibrant orchids. "Peach blossoms symbolize good luck in love, and kumquats represent wealth," explained a seller arranging pots of pink blooms. Many shoppers carry pomelos, a fruit whose Cantonese name sounds like the word for "prosperity," a playful tradition shared across the region.

"Visiting the Lunar New Year fair is a cherished family tradition for us," said a local resident surnamed Pang, who was shopping with her family. "We always buy pots of flowers for good fortune and stock up on festive items to ensure abundance in the new year."

For many in Hong Kong and Guangdong, enjoying festive foods like "pencai," "nian'gao" and "youjiao" is an essential part of the celebration. "Pencai," a hearty dish layered with pork, vegetables and seafood such as shrimp and abalone, symbolizes family unity when shared. Meanwhile, "youjiao," a crispy fried dumpling stuffed with peanuts or shredded coconut, is believed to bring luck and prosperity in the coming year.

"Youjiao," a traditional Spring Festival food in Hong Kong and its nearby cities. /VCG

"Youjiao," a traditional Spring Festival food in Hong Kong and its nearby cities. /VCG

Across China, Spring Festival celebrations are a vibrant blend of shared traditions and local customs, bringing families and communities together in a joyous display of culture, unity and hope for the year ahead. From dazzling parades and fireworks to the warmth of family rituals and festive foods, Hong Kong's festivities are a testament to the enduring spirit of this cherished holiday.

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